n Bens

ft, slamming the door hard.

bled "love you, honey" was gone. He just walked straight out, leav

n, Allison, about Katerina. Maybe you're right, maybe I've been too invested. I'll keep m

's just stop obsessing over the past, okay? Focu

ct me to keep trying to get pregnant? While in t

ght at him. "Tell me, Calvin, who

his stance uneasily. "What does that matter, Allison?

her prenatal checkup fees listed under our 'marital assets' expense reports

communicate." He was trying to regain control of the narrative, trying to make

what role did you want me to play in this meticulously woven farce? The loyal, understanding wife? Or th

lenched, avoiding my gaze. The silence was l

out, it's the hormones from the I

ng to stare at him, never looking away for a second. He couldn't face my

ter." Saying that, he turned and left,

There would

indows, illuminating the dust motes dancing

on Katerina's profile again. Her diet, moods, and doctor's appointment

antastic job. It tracks everything-sleep, heart rate, ovulation. It's going to revolutionize women's health

was just a convenient, temporary test subject. I was the "Gue

oor, and looked through the peephole. Calvin's mother, Bobbie Brooks, stood on

d her way in, her eyes scanning the living room. "Allison, w

rk." I replied cal

led me and said you canceled your appointment. What's going on, Allison? Are you giving up? I told

sues, who constantly humiliated me for "failing" to give her a grandson. This w

firm voice. "I have stopped the IVF t

nd anger. "Stopped? What do you mean, Allison? You can't just

in the eye, my voice calm but sharp. "Katerina Copeland

ping slightly. In that split second, I saw pure panic i

verything

, what kind of nonsense are you spouting? Are you crazy? Katerina is a bright young thing

nsure the 'Brooks name' was carried on? Why were you so obsessed with mak

er eyes ice-cold. "It would ruin Calvin and destroy the Brooks reputat

ments resolute. "What am I in this house, Bobbie? A breeding tool that gets to

her face. "What are you talking about? A gu

Primary User" label, then to my "Guest User" status. "This is how Calvin's system defines

e completely crazy. I will not tolerate this. You will not ruin my son's career because of your hysteria.

inst the hardwood floor. Without waiting for a reply, she thr

hands. My knees gave out, and I slumped onto the floor. Tears finally cascaded dow

ce of the Brooks family, the hubris born from generation

th. I had never truly

d by a cold determination. I absolutely r

to accept the betrayal? Never! I wouldn't cover