Chapter 1
My husband, Charles Stone, and I had been married for three years, and we still didn't have kids.
It wasn't my fault, though. His sperm quality was terrible, and no matter what we tried, I just couldn't get pregnant.
When our third round of IVF failed, Charles completely lost it and smashed his fist on the table. "Mary, you're like a chicken that can't lay eggs! Marrying you was the worst mistake of my life! If you can't get pregnant, then get the hell out!"
That night, I called my mom.
"Mom, I've made up my mind. I'm bringing Charles home this weekend so he can have the baby himself."
He wanted a kid so badly?
Fine. He could carry it himself.
*****
Today was the day the hospital would call with the results.
Charles' mom, Sharon Stone, had gone all out and cooked a whole spread of my favorite dishes. She pulled me over to the table with a huge smile on her face.
She said, "Mary, I had a fortune teller look into this, and he said it's definitely going to work this time. A grandson, too!"
She added, "My son's genes are perfect, so I know it'll be a healthy baby boy. Honestly, your body's just too weak—such a waste of money doing IVF!"
I forced the corners of my mouth up, but I couldn't actually smile.
Sharon had no idea the problem wasn't me. It was her son, Charles. His sperm quality was terrible, and the motility was way too low. Even with IVF, our success rate was barely 30%.
Charles poured himself a full glass of wine, and there was even a red ribbon tied around the stem. "The second that call comes through, I'm downing this whole thing to celebrate my firstborn son joining the Stone family."
Right on cue, his phone rang. It was the hospital.
Sharon snatched the phone from my hand and hit the speaker button. "This is great news—the whole family should hear it."
The caller said, "Hello, Ms. Summers? I'm calling about your recent embryo transfer.
"Unfortunately, it didn't take this time either. Your husband's sperm motility is quite low—under 25%. You should both focus on getting healthier over the next three months, or these procedures are just going to keep taking a toll on your body."
Sharon's expression darkened. She gripped the phone and started screaming, "What the hell are you talking about? Watch your damn mouth, you quack.
"You don't know shit about my son's sperm. You're just trying to squeeze more money out of us, aren't you? My son is a Stone family elite—he's the Stone family heir. You shameless bitch, I'm getting you fired tomorrow."
She hung up and immediately turned to the relatives still on video call, spinning the whole thing.
She blamed me for everything—said I'd dragged them to some sketchy hospital that was scamming us for cash.
But it was the best hospital in our city, a top-tier facility.
Charles' face went from pale to dark red. He grabbed my arm hard enough to bruise. "Mary. What the hell is going on? Three times now. Three times you can't get pregnant?"
Sharon yanked me aside and shoved me toward the wall. "You're nothing but bad luck. Marrying you was the worst thing this family ever did. Don't even think about eating until you're pregnant."
She jabbed her finger at my forehead, spit flying from her mouth. "You shameless little slut. Did you pay off that doctor? You're trying to ruin my son's reputation, aren't you?"
She scoffed, "What, you scared you can't give him a baby so he'll dump you? So you're sabotaging him instead? Wow. Didn't think you had it in you—so young and already this twisted."
I looked at Charles, waiting for him to say something. Anything.
But he just stood there and let Sharon tear into me like I was nothing.
I yanked the test results from my bag and slapped them against Sharon's chest. "Sharon, take a good look. These are the results, and they prove Charles is the problem. There's nothing wrong with me."
Before I could finish, Charles hurled his glass at me. He grabbed the papers and tore them into pieces.
He cursed, "Bullshit. Only a stupid woman like you would believe this crap. Hospitals just want money. You're a useless hen who can't lay eggs, you shameless idiot. Marrying you was a disgrace to the Stone family."
His insults got worse and worse, each word sharper than the last. Three years. It took me three years to see what Charles really thought of me.
I couldn't take it anymore. I stepped forward and slapped him across the face. "I want a divorce."