His Infertile Wife novel
Instead, Jairus, my husband, didnt even come home on time.
It wasnt until late in the evening, as I sat alone at the dining table staring at untouched plates, that my phone buzzed. A notification.
Jairus posted a picture of himself with another woman on his social media. She wore a silky red dress that clung to her figure with his hand rested possessively on her lower back.
The caption was
Celebrating life with someone who makes every moment brighter.
I stared at the screen. My hands trembled.
The woman was Katie, his business partner, whose laugh always seemed a little too loud and smile a little too wide whenever he was around. The audacity of it all hit like a slap to my face.
I left a simple comment: Nice.
It didnt take long for my phone to ring. The screen lit up with Jairuss name. I hesitated before answering.
Dont take this the wrong way, Vanessa, he began defensively. Its just a business dinner. You know how these things are.
Business? My voice was eerily calm. Is that why your hand looks so comfortable on her back?
Jairus sighed. I could hear the frustration in his tone, barely concealed. Youre always reading into things. Maybe if you werent so controlling, we wouldnt have these issues.
I hung up without replying and stared at my reflection in the window.
Outside, the city lights blurred into a hazy glow. Their vibrancy was mocking the hollowness I felt.
His words were a familiar script. Id heard them too many times. They always made me feel like the villain and the irrational one.
Jairus came home hours later, reeking of wine and perfume. He didnt offer an apology or even a greeting. Instead, he tossed his jacket on the couch and noticed the small box I had wrapped earlier. It was a gift Id planned to give him for our anniversary.
Whats this? he asked indifferently.
Your anniversary gift, I replied flatly.
He frowned, then set it down unopened. I didnt have time to get you anything. Katie was organizing the event tonight. And things ran late.
Of course, Katie.
Then he noticed my supplements on the table.
Youre skipping your supplements now? Is this your way of throwing a tantrum? he asked irritatedly.
Im not angry, I replied evenly. But my heart ached after saying that.
He faked a laugh. Couldve fooled me. You know, you have to take your medications if you want to have a baby. Youve been wanting this for years, Vanessa. Dont mess it up now.
I swallowed back the lump in my throat. I have my doctors appointment tomorrow.
He didnt respond. Instead, he reached into his briefcase and pulled out a box wrapped in silver paper. Katie wanted to apologize if you got the wrong impression earlier. She picked this out for you.
Curiosity warred with dread as I unwrapped it to reveal a silk scarf. Its edges were embroidered with Katies initials. My grip on the fabric tightened as I resisted the urge to throw it across the room.
How dare he give this to me as a gift?
She thought it would make you feel better, Jairus added. Irritation was evident in his voice like he was expecting me to thank her.
I placed the box aside. Tell Katie I said thank you.
Jairuss expression darkened. Whats with the attitude, Vanessa? She didnt have to do this, you know. Katies thoughtful, unlike you.
The sting of his words was one Id felt before., But it didnt hurt any less. I excused myself and went to bed early. I curled into a ball, overthinking. The faint sound of the television in the living room and the occasional clink of his glass against the coffee table did nothing to soothe my restlessness.
At midnight, the muffled sound of his phone vibrating woke me. I reached over and saw Katies name flashing on the screen.
Her message read: Cant stop thinking about tonight. Wish you were still here.
I stared at the message. The words seared themselves into my mind. My finger hovered over the reply button.
There were a hundred furious responses forming in my head, but I stopped myself. Instead, I deleted the message without a second thought and placed the phone back on the nightstand. If Jairus noticed, he didnt say anything.
The next morning, as I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the clock on the wall, a decision began to take shape.
I wouldnt fight for someone who wasnt fighting for me. Not anymore.
At breakfast, Jairus seemed oblivious to my silence as he scrolled through his phone, chuckling softly at something. I watched him from across the table. I memorized every detail of him. The crease between his brows and the way his lips curved when he smirked. For years, I had loved those details, clung to them as proof that we had something worth holding on to.
But now, they were a reminder of all I had given up for someone who saw me as nothing more than an inconvenience.
Im heading out early today, Jairus said without even glancing up. Got a busy day ahead.
I nodded indifferently. Dont forget your scarf. Katie would hate for it to go to waste.
A week had passed with us arguing every time we had the chance. And it was all because of Katie.
After texting my lawyer about initiating the separation, I crawled into bed early. I wrapped the duvet tightly around myself. For the first time in months, my heart felt lighter. It was as if a weight Id carried for too long had finally begun to lift.
Around midnight, a chime from my phone jolted me awake. I squinted at the screen. It was a message from Jairus.
Dont be so dramatic, Vanessa. Lets talk this through.
His arrogance made my blood boil. The fact that he didnt see the damage hed caused, that he thought this could be fixed with a few words, was laughable.
I tossed the phone aside and turned my back to it. Sleep didnt come easily, though. Every time I closed my eyes, memories of Katies smug smile and Jairuss dismissive tone replayed in my mind like a haunting loop.
The next morning, I dragged myself out of bed. I was determined to reclaim my life, even if I had no idea where to start. As I scrolled through my emails over coffee, a notification from Katies social media popped up.
Against my better judgment, I clicked on it.
I couldnt be wrong.
In the picture was Jairus and Katie, arm in arm, standing in front of a sleek black car.
Her caption read: When life gives you the right partner, everything else falls into place.
A sharp laugh escaped me. The audacity was impressive, Id give her that. They werent even subtle anymore.
At work, Jairus was already in the conference room when I arrived. He looked as composed as ever. None of our colleagues knew about our relationship. Jairus had insisted we keep it a secret, citing company policies, though I suspected it was more about maintaining his image as the untouchable CEO.
Vanessa, he called out as I passed the glass doors.
I paused, forcing a neutral expression. Yes?
Step inside for a moment, he said, motioning to the chair opposite his.
Reluctantly, I entered. My stomach knotted with unease. Katie wasnt in sight, but her perfume lingered in the air.
Once the door closed, Jairus leaned back in his chair. He scanned me like I was an uncooperative employee. About last night, he began. He softened his tone, maybe thinking kindness would make me forget everything.
Im not interested in discussing it, I interrupted.
He frowned, clearly unused to being shut down. Vanessa, I know youre upset, but weve been through worse. Lets not make rash decisions.
I folded my arms across my chest. Rash decisions? Youve been erasing me from our life for months, Jairus. Im just catching up.
His jaw tightened. And for a moment, his mask slipped, revealing his frustration. Youre being unfair. You know how demanding my job is. Ive been trying to provide for us, for the future weve talked about.
Our future? I couldnt help myself from raising my voice. You mean the one where you play house with Katie while I sit in the background, waiting for scraps of your attention?
Jairuss phone buzzed on the table between us. He glanced at the screen.
I followed his gaze. Katies name flashed brightly.
He hesitated, but the pull was too strong. Picking up the phone, he stepped toward the window. He lowered his voice but I could still hear the words he said clearly. Katie, Im in the middle of something. Ill call you back.
The blatant dismissal stung more than I wanted to admit. As he ended the call, I grabbed the folder Id brought into the room and stood.
This is pointless, I muttered, heading for the door.
Vanessa, wait.
I turned with my hand on the doorknob. For what? Another excuse? Another lie?
Jairus stared at me. His usually confident expression began to falter. He opened his mouth, but no words came.
Without another word, I walked out.
Back at my desk, I tried to focus on my tasks. But my thoughts kept drifting. Memories of our early days together filled my mind. How he used to surprise me with little notes tucked into my bag. How hed hold my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. That version of Jairus felt like a stranger now.
By lunch, I couldnt bear the suffocating atmosphere of the office anymore. I told my assistant I was stepping out and wandered into the nearby park.
As I sat on a bench, staring at the golden leaves falling around me, my phone buzzed again.
This time, it was a message from my lawyer.
Weve drafted the separation agreement. Let me know when youre ready to proceed.
I stared at the message. My fingers kept trembling. It felt like crossing a bridge and burning it behind me, but maybe thats what I needed.
With a deep breath, I typed back.
Lets move forward.
The day passed in tense silence.
At work, Jairus hovered at the edge of my desk several times, trying to speak to me. But each time, I kept my eyes fixed on my screen. Eventually, he stopped trying. He retreated to his office and closed the door.
It wasnt that I didnt want to talk to him. I did. The words burned in my throat, threatening to spill out. But I held them back. Because I was already tired of talking and arguing about Katie with him.
What was the point of another argument when hed already decided whose side he was on?
By the time dinner rolled around, I was too emotionally drained to care about pleasantries. I ate alone, not waiting for him like I used to.
When Jairus walked in, shrugging off his jacket and setting his briefcase by the door, I barely acknowledged him.
You didnt wait for me, he commented, glancing at the half-eaten plate of pasta on the table.
I didnt look up. I wasnt sure youd make it back before midnight.
His lips tightened, but he said nothing as he pulled out a chair and sat down across from me.
For a while, the only sounds were the scrape of his utensils and the faint hum of the refrigerator.
Finally, he sighed as he set down his fork. Vanessa, how long are you going to give me the silent treatment?
I shrugged while swirling the remnants of my wine. As long as it takes for you to figure out why Im upset.
Thats the problem, he muttered as he ran a hand through his hair. I dont understand why youre blowing this out of proportion. Katie didnt mean to upset you.
I set my glass down a little harder than necessary. You always have an excuse for her, dont you?
His gaze sharpened. Thats not fair.
No, Jairus, whats not fair is having to compete with your business partner for your attention. Whats not fair is you constantly siding with her. No matter how blatantly she disrespects me.
He groaned. Then he leaned back in his chair. This is exactly why I want us to clear the air. Lets have lunch tomorrow. The three of us. You, me, and Katie. I want you to see theres nothing going on.
I let out a dry laugh. Then I shook my head.
I would rather die than dine at a table with Katie.
Thats a hard no. I have a client meeting during lunch.
Then dinner, he insisted as he leaned forward with his elbows on the table. Theres a new seafood restaurant Ive been wanting to try. Well sit down, have a nice meal, and talk like adults.
No thanks.
He frowned. He looked clearly frustrated. Why not? Whats wrong with dinner?
I pushed my chair back. I stood as I wiped the corner of my lips with a napkin. Because Im allergic to seafood.
Jairus froze. His eyes narrowed. Youre allergic to seafood?
Yes, I lied smoothly while folding the napkin and placing it on the table. But dont let me stop you. Im sure Katie would love the company.
His mouth opened as if to argue, but I didnt give him the chance.
I turned to leave, but not before glancing back at him. A bitter smile tugged at my lips when I realized something.
He didnt even know I was lying.
The man I had built my life around didnt know one of the most basic things about me. Or maybe he did. But he just didnt care enough to remember.
Vanessa, Jairuss voice stopped me mid-step.
I glanced over my shoulder, raising an eyebrow. What now?
His gaze was sharp. And his knuckles were already white as he gripped the edge of the table. Youre being ridiculous. You know that, dont you?
I didnt answer. I waited for him to continue, to say something that might salvage the shards of what little remained between us.
Instead, he stood abruptly, shoving his chair back. Fine. Keep acting like this. But dont say I didnt try.
He stormed out of the dining room without another word.
For a moment, I stood frozen, staring at the spot where hed been. I shouldve felt relieved that he was gone, but all I felt was the bitter sting of his words.
It wasnt until I reached the stairs that I noticed something. A faint buzzing sound reached my ears. His phone lay forgotten on the counter. The screen lit up with a name that made my blood run cold.
Katie.
The message preview read: Cant wait for tomorrow. Ive got a surprise for you ;)
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