Sophia’s face turned ashen. She stood up from her chair, her voice full of resentment. “So if your wife can’t have children, you’d never divorce her? You’d stay childless forever?”
Alexander looked at Sophia in surprise, then turned to look at me. I pretended to be flustered and yelled at Sophia, “What nonsense are you spouting?”
“Olivia, you’ve never shown Alexander your medical reports, have you?” Sophia turned to Alexander. “You two have been married for so long- haven’t you wondered why you don’t have kids yet?”
Sophia went to her room and came back with a medical report, throwing it on the table. It had my name on it, with a clear diagnosis: Infertile.
Alexander stared at the report for a long time without speaking. Finally, he only said to Sophia, “Don’t get rid of the baby for now.” Then he went to his study.
Sophia had a victorious look on her face. “Olivia, I didn’t want things to turn out this way. But you brought this on yourself by being so stubborn. If you had just gracefully stepped aside, I could have given you some compensation, sister to sister.”
Watching Sophia’s retreating back, I smiled to myself. Sophia, since you love taking what’s mine so much, as your sister I naturally want to indulge you lust hope you can handle it this time
<
From the moment Sophia first laid eyes on Alexander, I knew she would fall for him. But getting Alexander to accept Sophia took quite a bit of effort on my part.
Alexander was never an ordinary man who thought with his lower half. On the contrary, he was very principled. Even after we got married, there were plenty of women throwing themselves at him, trying to replace me. But he never gave me any reason to worry in that department.
He would firmly reject those women with ill intentions. “I’m sorry, I’m married and very much in love with my wife,” he’d say.
He would openly talk about me in public or during his lectures. His students praised him for being handsome and devoted, the ideal man in many female students‘ eyes.
My friends and coworkers who met him envied my good taste in finding such a perfect husband. I used to believe that too.
I met Alexander when I was a senior in college, during my internship.
One day, an important work task wasn’t completed because a coworker didn’t do her part. She told our boss it was because I hadn’t properly communicated with her. But I had talked to her, right at her desk, and even reminded her later. Since it was just a verbal exchange, I had no proof. So I ended up taking the blame.
Because of this incident, my chance at a full–time offer was delayed and I lost out on a bonus.
I had worked overtime for a month on this project, and in the end all I got was unfair blame.
I sat on some steps, sobbing, as the rain poured down harder and harder, soaking me through.
That’s when I met Alexander. He gave me his umbrella and a pack of tissues, without saying a word, then left in the rain himself.
Later I ran into him at the company again and learned he was one of the shareholders.
I was too intimidated to approach him, but he greeted me first. To thank him, I invited him to dinner and told him about that day’s incident. He advised me that in the workplace, all important matters should be documented in email.
After that, my full–time offer wasn’t delayed and I received my bonus as normal. I suspected it was his doing.
As we got to know each other, I discovered he was very knowledgeable. No matter what questions I had, he always gave the most reasonable advice.
I started secretly visiting his university to see him. He took me to try all sorts of delicious food. It was the most peaceful time I’d had since my parents passed away.
After graduation, we started dating, and got married six months later.
He was a wonderful husband – he would drive me to and from work, prepare surprises for holidays, take on household chores, maintain appropriate distance from other women, didn’t smoke or drink, had no bad habits at all.
When I told him about my high school experiences, this 30–year–old man’s eyes reddened.
He held me close and said, “It’s all in the past now. I’ll make up for everything you’ve lost.“‘
If I hadn’t discovered that secret, I might have remained trapped in the dream he wove for me.
Become Aviles y todos
Alexander spent the whole night in his study. The next morning he left for work without eating breakfast.
I moved back home and life went on as usual. After that day, Sophia automatically kept her distance from me. When I was in the living room,
<
Sheu stay in Deur UUNII.
D
Alexander didn’t come home for three nights in a row. That Saturday, I was curled up on the couch eating chips and watching TV when Sophia hesitantly spoke up. “Olivia, I can’t get in touch with Alexander.”
Seeing the dark circles under Sophia’s eyes, I guessed she hadn’t been sleeping well these past few days. I, on the other hand, had been sleeping great.
I was a bit worried though, since early pregnancy can be risky. I made a mental note to find a chance to tell my aunt and uncle the good news. How could the grandparents–to–be not know?
I said coldly, “Do you really expect me to help you contact my husband?”
“Olivia, things have gotten to this point. You should be thinking about what’s best for yourself now. If you take the initiative, you could get a better financial settlement.”
“If you keep being stubborn, things will get ugly and that’s not good for anyone. Alexander wants children, and you can’t have any. You’ll end up divorced in a few years anyway. By then you’ll be cast aside with nothing.”
I paused the TV and stood up to face Sophia, laughing coldly. “You really are an idiot if you think you can secure a position just because of the baby in your belly.”
“Have the baby if you want, we can afford to raise it. But you? You’re just another mistress. If it wasn’t you, it could have been someone else.”
Sophia got agitated hearing my words and even tried to hit me. I grabbed her arm. “You’re pregnant now. If anything happens to the baby, you really won’t have any chances left.”
I went back to my room and called my aunt. “Aunt Sarah, Sophia hasn’t been feeling well lately. I’ve been busy with work so it would be good if you and Uncle Tom could come visit. She didn’t want me to tell you because she was worried you’d be concerned.
That evening, my aunt and uncle arrived. Seeing Sophia’s shocked expression, I said, “Uncle and Aunt were worried about you, so I asked them to come.” As I changed my shoes I continued, “I have to go out now, you all can talk.”
I tactfully left the space for the three of them. After all, the topic they were about to discuss wouldn’t be convenient with me, the victim,
present.
6
The next day at noon, Sophia called me home. When I walked in, there was a table full of my favorite dishes.
My aunt and uncle enthusiastically invited me to sit down and eat. For a moment! felt like I was in someone else’s home.
Aunt Sarah kept piling food on my plate. “Olivia dear, eat up. Don’t be like those young people nowadays who are always dieting. It’s not good for your health.”
Uncle Tom chimed in, “What are you saying? Olivia’s not fat at all.”
“You’re right, you’re right. I misspoke. Olivia’s always been beautiful!”
I focused on eating while the other three people at the table secretly observed my every move, each with their own agenda.
When I was almost done eating, Aunt Sarah started crying and holding my hand. “Your uncle and I are so sorry, Olivia. When your parents passed away so young, we always treated you like our own daughter, afraid you’d suffer even a little bit.
“This whole thing is your sister’s fault. When we found out yesterday, your uncle slapped her. She knows she was wrong.”
I pulled my hand away from Aunt Sarah’s. “So what do you want me to do about it, Aunt?”
“Sophia’s already pregnant. No matter what, the child is innocent. If she has a baby without being married, her whole life will be ruined.”
“When it comes down to it, it’s not just Sophia’s fault. If Alexander didn’t have those intentions, there wouldn’t be a baby”
“Why don’t you and Alexander get divorced? You didn’t even have a wedding ceremony, and not many people know about your
1:19 PM
<
D
“Why don’t you and Alexander get divorced? You didn’t even have a wedding ceremony, and not many people know about your marriage. Your aunt will help you find someone even better later. If you have any difficulties, your uncle and I will help you.”
Looking at their hypocritical faces, I was reminded of how they fought for my guardianship to get the compensation money.
“How can you have the nerve to make such a request when your own daughter did something so shameless?” I said.
Sophia spoke up, “Olivia, I’ll agree to whatever demands you have.”
I looked at my aunt and uncle, who also nodded.
“In that case, first return the compensation money from my parents‘ death.”
Aunt Sarah’s expression froze. Uncle Tom lowered his head, trying to escape.
“We all know how much of that money was actually spent on me, and how much you kept for yourselves.”
“I know you don’t have that much cash on hand right now, so just sign over the house you bought in high school to me.”
That three–bedroom house was in a great location with good schools nearby. Its value had increased several times over by now.
My aunt and uncle were extremely reluctant, of course. I looked at Sophia. “There’s a cooling–off period for divorces now. Filing takes time, and if I’m not willing, we’d have to start the process all over. It’s easy to drag things out for a year or more. I wonder if the baby in your belly can wait that long?”
As I was leaving, I passed by Sophia and whispered so only she could hear, “Your brother–in–law asked me the other day if I’d be willing to raise this child. What do you think he meant by that?”
