Chapter 1

1 It was my third year of marriage when my widowed sister, Sarah, came to me with a bizarre request: she wanted to borrow my husband's "seed."

I flat-out refused.

My mom acted like I was betraying her blood.

Mark, my husband, called me a fake sister.

Even my six-year-old, Timmy, whined, calling me heartless.

That night, I walked Mark to Sarah's room myself.

The whole family was beaming, praising my "selflessness."

I just smiled. I've always been generous with things I'm about to throw away.

...

Dawn hadn't even cracked when Mark crept back into our room.

He tiptoed to my side of the bed, reaching for me.

I recoiled.

"Don't touch me."

My eyes snapped open, disgust plain on my face.

Mark jumped, forcing a sheepish smile. "Honey, you... you weren't asleep?"

"Nope." I nodded, my gaze drawn to his neck.

The bright red hickeys were a vulgar reminder that the man next to me was tainted.

I frowned. "Why are you back so early?"

Mark's face hardened. "Come on, babe, you know why!"

"We're married. Where else would I go?"

I scoffed, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Married?"

"Last I checked, you and Sarah are practically married now."

Mark's expression soured.

"Janice, you're the one who agreed to this 'borrowing seed' thing. Why are you being a bitch?"

My chest tightened.

I hadn't agreed. Not at first.

But how could I stand against the entire family?

Mom threatened to disown me, heaping guilt.

Sarah staged a sob fest outside my office daily.

Timmy vowed to skip school unless I gave in.

And Mark? He froze my assets. I couldn't even afford ramen.

What choice did I have?