My husband, Malcolm Thorpe, has low sperm motility. After 33 rounds of IVF, I finally got pregnant.

On delivery day, I start hemorrhaging, and the medical team calls for an emergency C-section. Malcolm signs the consent form, then rushes straight back to his childhood sweetheart's birthday party.

But instead of starting the C-section, the surgeon says, "Ms. Jacobson, the electronic medical record lists you as single. This consent form isn't valid."

I stop breathing for a beat. The happy marriage I believe in turns out to be a sham.

Later, Mom and Dad rush in and sign the consent for me. But by then, the baby is gone. The asphyxia lasted too long.

After surgery, I scrawl my name on the cremation consent with shaking hands, then dial a number without thinking.

"Samuel, are you free now? Meet me in front of City Hall."

After we signed the marriage papers, Samuel Fowler still looked a little stunned.

"Gigi… did you really marry me?" He stood there, empty-eyed.

I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my mouth until it tugged at my stitches, and pain pricked my brow.

Samuel rushed me back to the hospital and pressed a careful kiss to my forehead.

"I have to head out of town for some work. Get some rest, and I'll come back for you," he said.

I had hauled my post-op, shaky body down to City Hall to marry Samuel. By the time it was over, I was spent. Slowly, I drifted off without meaning to.

Through the haze, I caught Malcolm Thorpe talking to a friend.

"Giselle almost died!" his friend said. "Aren't you going to switch the marriage info back in the electronic medical record?"

"Give it a little time. Ashley's critically ill, and her only wish is to marry me."

"But if Giselle learns the truth, she could leave you anytime!"

"How would she? She's been through hell for me. How could she possibly walk away?"

When I finally woke, I opened my eyes to Malcolm's face, tight with worry.

"Gigi, you're awake! The maid made chicken noodle soup. You should have it while it's warm."

The care in his voice almost made me believe I'd imagined what I'd heard before.

I went straight to the point. "Malcolm, why does the electronic medical record list me as single?"

He went still before saying, "Maybe the hospital's system hasn't been updated yet. Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it. I'm sorry—I should've stayed with you."

My stomach dropped when I caught that quick flash of panic in his eyes.

"Yeah. It sounds like their system could use an update," I said, easy as air.

Malcolm exhaled and, with unhurried care, ladled chicken noodle soup into a bowl for me. "Don't overthink it. By the way, how's our baby?"

Our baby?

I froze. Had no one told him the baby was gone? Then again, it made sense. Malcolm wasn't my legal spouse. Of course, no one would inform him.

A weight settled on my chest, suffocating.

When I finally spoke, my voice came out slow. "The baby was too weak. They've got the baby in an incubator."

Malcolm didn't suspect a thing. He started to speak, but then suddenly shot to his feet. "Ashley! What are you doing here?"

He was so worked up that the scalding soup sloshed over my hand, and my skin went red in an instant. But he didn't notice. His eyes were locked on that petite figure.

He clenched his fists, so nervous his voice shook. "What happened? Are you feeling unwell again? Why didn't you tell me?"

Ashley Scott's face was chalk-white. "It's nothing serious. My period's late. You have more important things to deal with…"

She shot me a pointed look.

Malcolm tapped her head. "Nothing matters more than you!"

I couldn't help speaking up. "Malcolm…"

Only then did he notice my burned hand. Before I could speak, he frowned and yanked off my coat, wrapping it around Ashley's waist in that bossy way of his.

"It's freezing, and you're out here with bare legs! You're old enough to take care of yourself, aren't you? Come on, I'm taking you to a doctor!"

Malcolm never looked at me. In that instant, I saw all over again how foolish I was.

I went through 33 rounds of IVF, and he never came with me. He was always working late or "too busy".

I was terrified of pain. Still, like a fool, I gritted my teeth and learned to give myself the ovulation shots, leaving my belly speckled with tiny puncture marks.

So, it wasn't that Malcolm had no time—he'd just given all of it to Ashley. The difference between how he treated the woman he truly loved and how he treated me couldn't have been clearer.

I had no strength left to keep this up with him.

For days, Malcolm was nowhere to be found. I learned from Instagram that he had been glued to Ashley's side.

He had sent an endless stream of luxury gifts to her bedside. He even rented the giant billboard across from the hospital and ran his well-wishes for her on a 24-hour loop.

Ashley posted a photo of tightly interlaced hands. The caption read, "I'm the happiest woman in the world."

Under the doctor's sympathetic gaze, I signed my own discharge papers and left the hospital without a word.

That day, Malcolm finally called, sounding annoyed. "Where's the baby? Why won't they let me see our child?"

"I haven't fully recovered, and you're clearly busy. So, I left the baby with my parents."

He caught the sarcasm in my voice and, for once, sounded a little guilty. "You've been through so much. When I—"

I hung up without a shred of mercy, hoping he'd be this calm when he learned the truth.

Back home, I told the maid to pack up all my things. Every little thing there was a memory of Malcolm and me.

There was the limited-edition plush he stood in line 12 hours to get for me, and the charm he swore would keep me safe. He'd gone to the cathedral and brought it to me when I'd just gotten pregnant.

But none of it came close to what he gave Ashley.

I lit a fire and burned them clean.

I was set to go abroad with Samuel, and the visa would take five days to process. All I wanted was a quiet end to the time I had left.

But Malcolm wasn't going to allow that. He burst in, grabbed me by the collar, and yanked until I was almost choking. "Giselle! Where did you hide Ashley?"

"I don't know," I forced out.

His eyes went dark. "You'd better be telling the truth, or else, I won't spare you."

Then, he flung me aside.

I gulped for air and couldn't help asking, "Malcolm, do you remember I'm your wife?"

He stopped short and tossed out a quick excuse. "Don't overthink it. Before Ashley's mother died, she asked me to look after Ashley. I only see her as my sister."

With that, he walked off without looking back.

I laughed at myself. Even when I disappeared on a two-week business trip, he didn't so much as check in on me. But now, he was worrying plenty about this "sister".

I went to the embassy to submit the paperwork. When I got back, Malcolm had already found Ashley.

"Silly goose, where did you run off to? Since you're pregnant, just have the baby. I'll take good care of both of you."

But Ashley shook her head. "No! I won't let the baby be born without a father."

Anxious, Malcolm blurted, "You're my legal wife! How could the baby not have a father?"

A sour sting rose in my chest, and I didn't realize I'd stepped on a dry leaf. It crunched loudly.

Only then did they look my way.

Malcolm panicked. "How long have you been there? How much have you heard?"

I shook my head. "I just got back."

He let out a breath, then faltered. "Ashley might need to stay here for a bit, Gigi. Is that okay?"

I smiled and headed for my room. "Even if I said no, would it matter?"

Malcolm couldn't help raising his voice. "Giselle!"

Ashley cut in. "I'm a little hungry, Mal. I heard Gigi cooks well. Could you ask her to make me something?"

At that, Malcolm hesitated. "I don't think that's a good idea."

Immediately, Ashley's mouth twisted, and her tears spilled. "I knew it. I shouldn't have barged into someone else's home and made a fool of myself. It's fine. I'll leave now."

Hearing that, Malcolm jumped in. "Giselle, you're the lady of the house. Go take care of Ashley, now!"

Not wanting to make things messier, I headed to the kitchen and made her a dish. When Malcolm saw it, he froze for a beat.

It was pork stew with pears.

Pear, as in "pair". I used to joke I'd make it the day we stopped being one.

Without noticing the subtle shift in Malcolm’s expression, Ashley had already taken the stew. She'd barely had a bite when she jolted and dumped the plate on me.

I stood there, a mess, stew dripping off me, while she covered her mouth like she hadn't meant it.

"Oh, no! I'm so sorry. It was too hot, and I wasn't holding it properly…"

Malcolm’s face went dark when he saw tears rim Ashley’s eyes.

He snapped at me, "We've been married for five years, and you still can't handle something this simple! Or do you have a problem with Ashley? Are you picking on her?"

I tried to explain, but he took Ashley's hands, worry written all over his face. "Does it hurt? Hang on. I'll treat your wound right now."

That was it for me. If they were out of sight, they'd be out of mind. I left the mansion and checked into a hotel.

The day before I was due to go abroad, I realized I'd left my travel documents at home and rushed back.

The mansion was mid-party. Malcolm had Ashley on his arm, and they looked picture-perfect.

Guests murmured among themselves.

"Mr. Thorpe spoils his wife. Look at Ashley. Those designer clothes must cost tens of thousands of dollars!"

Someone in the know cut in. "Are you kidding? Mrs. Thorpe is the one who just walked in!"

The person who'd just spoken flushed. "Oh, really? Her outfit looks like it cost a few dozen bucks at most. That can't be right."

I ignored the stares, grabbed my documents, and turned to go.

Suddenly, Ashley cried out, "My bracelet's gone! Giselle was the only one who went into the room. It has to be her!"

Malcolm tried to calm her down. "Check again. Gigi wouldn't do that."

But Ashley wouldn't let up. "I've looked everywhere! Who else could it be? That bracelet was from your mother. She must've taken it!"

I didn't dignify that baseless accusation with a response and headed straight for the door.

Out of nowhere, Ashley clutched her waist and broke into a harsh cough.

Malcolm hurried to steady her, then looked at me, torn. "Gigi, maybe you should prove it."

A chill ran through me. "How am I supposed to do that?"

I had only a dress on. Whether a bracelet was on me was plain as day.

Ashley shrieked, "Search her! The bracelet's definitely in her dress!"

Security stepped up and started yanking at my dress. I stumbled back, but I was no match for their strength.

All the while, Malcolm kept calming Ashley down and never once told them to stop.

Soon, my dress was shredded, my skin raked with bloody scratches. By the end, they shoved me into the middle of the crowd, left in underwear that barely covered anything.

Humiliation washed over me, and I set my jaw. "Is this enough? Get a good look. I didn't take it!"

"Who knows if she stashed it somewhere else?" Ashley muttered.

Malcolm frowned. "Gigi, people are staring. Don't make this any more awkward. It's just a misunderstanding. Go change."

I shot Malcolm a hard look. After a long beat, I forced a mocking smile. "Fine. You'll get what you want soon enough."

He didn't have time to figure out what I meant before Ashley draped over him, all sugary and sweet. His focus swung to her.

I returned to the room and looked blankly into the mirror. I just kept telling myself, over and over, that I'd soon be done with all of this for good.

As I got to my feet, voices carried in from the next room.

"It's a good thing you found it. Ashley, don't leave your bracelet on the bathroom sink again."

"Okay. It's so pretty. I really hope it's a girl."

"Boy or girl, I'll love them the same. Come here. Let me have a little heart-to-heart with my baby."

"You're awful… Be gentle."

What followed was better left unsaid.

I'd already given up on Malcolm, but my chest still stung. So, the guy who always looked so composed had fire in him, after all.

…

I never thought Ashley would show up at my door.

She flung down a thick stack of photos, smirking. "Giselle, I had no idea you'd put yourself through all that just to give Mal a baby."

Humiliation hit hard as soon as I realized those photos had been taken in secret at the birthday party. A few were brutal close-ups, fixed on the scars tracing my abdomen and the tight constellation of puncture marks.

"Come on, you didn't really believe you can't get pregnant because there's something wrong with Mal, did you? The reason's simple. He doesn't want a baby with you!

"Otherwise, why did I get pregnant on the first try? Only someone as shameless as you would still go through IVF. You don't even know how much Mal finds you repulsive!"

I finally snapped, "Shut up!"

At that moment, Ashley clutched her belly and stumbled back, crumpling to the floor. She yelped and shouted, "Gigi! Don't push me!"

She was groaning in pain, hands on her belly, when Malcolm walked in. It set him off.

His palm cracked across my face as he shouted, "Giselle! Will you just stop?"

My lower abdomen slammed into the stair railing. I lost my footing and went down. Cold sweat broke over me from the pain.

And then came the part that terrified me most—a sudden rush of bright red between my legs. I never really had a chance to recover after the miscarriage.

Malcolm was still seething. He scooped Ashley into his arms and bolted for the door, tossing a warning over his shoulder. "You'd better hope she's fine. I'll deal with you when I get back."

It took me a while to get back on my feet. Then, I saw the visa confirmation glowing on my phone, and my fists clenched.

Malcolm wasn't going to get that chance.

…

By the time I reached the airport, Malcolm texted, "Bring your medical records to the hospital and get examined with Ashley."

I powered my phone off without a second thought. Instead, I mailed him two documents—my daughter's cremation notice and a copy of my marriage certificate with Samuel.

Then, I tossed my SIM card into a trash can and headed for Samuel, who had been waiting.

"Let's go."