Chapter 1

After the busy season on the farm wrapped up, my dad, Hale Summers rode the bus for seven hours to get to the city, lugging two old plastic sacks.

He stood outside the open study door for five minutes, clutching the X-ray in his arms, before finally knocking softly.

He hunched over, his voice low and hesitant. "Henry Lawson, when you get a chance, could you take a look at this X-ray for me? It's for a friend of mine..."

Henry didn't even look up as he cut him off, his tone casual and a little arrogant. "What, the county hospital doctors can't read an X-ray? You really came all the way here to trouble me?"

Hale froze.

He mumbled, almost apologetic, like he'd done something wrong. "The country doctors couldn't make sense of it. I thought you'd know better, working in a big city hospital..."

Henry cut him off again, sounding even more impatient. "You know I work at a big hospital, right? Do you have any idea how hard it is to get an appointment with me? I'm swamped."

Hale nodded awkwardly and shuffled back, accidentally bumping his shoulder against the doorframe as he turned to leave.

The old man instinctively held his breath, turning back to look at Henry, his eyes wide with panic.

My throat tightened, and I felt a strange discomfort in my chest.

With my six-month baby bump, I motioned for Hale to sit on the couch, then headed back into the study room.

As soon as I walked in, I saw his WhatsApp chat history on the screen.

The person he was chatting with was Anna Shepherd.

His old flame, now single and raising her kid by herself.

Henry: [Are you running a fever?]

Henry: [Don't stay up too late tonight.]

Henry: [If you're not feeling well, let me know. I'll bring you some medicine tomorrow morning.]

A little while ago, I was quietly telling Hale that Henry was probably worn out from seeing patients all day, and wanted to leave all the medical stuff behind when he got home.

But now, standing here and reading those messages on the computer, I suddenly felt like a total joke.

Outside the study room, I heard the front door close softly.

I hurried out after him, but Hale gently pushed me back inside. "Don't let what happened with me get you upset. Henry's got a lot on his plate, so I'll get going."

As I watched Hale's back, now even more hunched than before, something clicked for me.

A marriage that's for show, for appearances, means nothing at all.

I finally set myself free.

I started jogging after him, calling after him.

Hale, seeing me, hurried back over, looking worried. "Why are you running with that big belly?"

"Hey, whose X-ray is it? Hand it over. You forgot I'm a pharmaceutical sales rep, I know tons of good doctors," I said.

He turned to me, his rough hand closing around mine. "Sweetheart, you're a pharmaceutical sales rep. Don't let this get in the way of your work. Truth is, I... I wanted an excuse to see you."

I tried to explain again, "Dad, being a pharmaceutical sales rep is actually a great job. Sales isn't all the same, what I do is as respectable as being a doctor."

Hale waved his hand, clearly not buying it. "You're pregnant now, so don't stress yourself out."

Not sure if he was trying to comfort me or himself, he forced a smile.

"You have no idea how much everyone back in the village envies me for having a doctor as my son-in-law. And they're even more jealous of you, a pharmaceutical sales rep who landed a doctor for a husband," he said.

I wanted to say something else, but Hale cut me off with a wave of his hand. "The two bags I left at home, one's got peanuts and walnuts we dried, no pesticides, all natural. You should take them to your in-laws.

"The other bag has more walnuts and peanuts, plus a jar of farm eggs. You and Henry should have one each day. He's always working late, so he needs the extra nutrition."

I stood there, frozen, my throat tight and words stuck inside.

He'd spent his whole life struggling, but he'd never asked anyone for help.

Yet just now, he'd stood outside Henry's door, humbled and waiting for ages.

He wasn't blind to Henry's indifference.

But he did it all for me.

He willingly set aside his dignity, bowed his head, and did everything he could just to protect the peace in my marriage.

Once he finished, he turned around and walked quickly toward the bus stop.

Watching his back, now bent and weary, all the hurt, the anger, the absurdity, everything exploded inside me.

I was desperate to see Henry.

I wanted to ask him what gave him the right to treat Hale that way.

But as I reached the elevator, I heard someone sobbing.

When I walked over, I saw Anna standing in the entryway, her eyes red and puffy, her whole body almost shivering. Her voice was so weak and shaky it sent a chill down my spine.

"Henry, I really don't know what to do. My baby suddenly has a high fever. Did I give her my cold? I'm really scared," Anna said, her voice trembling.

I watched as Henry scooped the little girl into his arms, grabbing his coat and car keys with his free hand, his tone all business and full of confidence. "Let's go, I'll get us straight into the ER.

"The top pediatrician will see her personally. She'll get every test she needs and the best care possible. You don't have to worry about a thing," he promised.