Chapter 2

This was the fifth day Julian hadn't come home. Neither of us had reached out to the other.

I dragged myself through the days like a living corpse, unable to accept that the husband I adored had been running a massive lie.

That evening, my mother-in-law, Eleanor, called. The moment I picked up, she sneered, "Julian has been staying at my place for days. Did you two fight? Honestly, what a wonderful wife you are. Not only are you barren, but you also keep picking fights with your husband."

Before I could even reply, she went on relentlessly:

"Chloe, Julian must have owed you in a past life. I told him not to marry a woman who couldn't bear children, but he insisted. And look at him now—he doesn't even want to go home to you."

Anger surged hot in my chest. I wanted so badly to scream the truth at Eleanor, but the words died in my throat. I hung up on her, and tears of frustration spilled over.

For years, Julian's family had looked down on me simply because of my fertility issues.

During Christmas dinner, his relatives had brought over their newborn. I thought the baby was adorable and held her, and a cousin joked that I should hurry up and have one of my own.

Eleanor's face had immediately darkened. She rolled her eyes and snapped, "Don't even start. Some people are broken. You have no idea how desperately I want a grandchild, but my hands are tied."

Her words had left the room in awkward silence, leaving a deep, painful thorn in my heart.

Over the years, rumors had even started that Julian was the one who was infertile. Hearing this made Eleanor resent me even more.

Yet, Julian had always taken the blame to protect my reputation. I had been so grateful to him, which was why I had tolerated his mother's toxicity for so long.

But to Julian, I was just a complete fool.

Now, I needed to know what was actually wrong with my body. Behind Julian's back, I quietly booked an appointment at a renowned fertility clinic in the neighboring city.

I entered the examination room, my stomach in knots. Seeing my tense face, the doctor smiled warmly and said, "Relax, dear. It's nothing serious."

After reviewing my tests, he pointed at the ultrasound screen. "Your fallopian tubes are blocked. A simple keyhole surgery will clear it up. As for conceiving, it might also be a good idea to have your husband get a routine checkup as well."

"Doctor..." I gasped, my voice trembling. "Are you saying I can actually get pregnant?"

The doctor nodded. "Of course. But I'm puzzled—haven't you seen any other specialists in the last five years? This is a very basic diagnosis to make."

I tried my hardest to keep my emotions under control and scheduled the surgery for the following week.

All these years, Melanie had done nothing but prescribe mild hormonal pills and vitamins, telling me to trust the process.

Because I trusted her blindly, I had never doubted her.

A simple surgery could have solved my problem, yet they had stolen five years of my life.

Just as rage was consuming me, my phone buzzed. It was Julian.

"Babe, where are you? I'm back home. Are you still mad at me?" his voice was incredibly gentle, coaxing me just like he used to when we were dating.

I suppressed my anger and replied coldly, "Just taking a walk."

"Babe, I shouldn't have been so insensitive the other night. I'm so sorry. It's my fault. Please come home. I took some days off, and I want to take you out shopping to make it up to you," Julian pleaded softly.

A wave of confusion hit me. Which version of Julian was real?

But whatever the case, I couldn't run away. I decided to go back and find the right moment to demand a divorce.

After all, I could not stay in a marriage built entirely on a lie.

"Okay. I'm on my way back."