Chapter 1

1

On our wedding night, Mark dropped a bomb: he wanted to have a baby with his mentor's daughter.

I was floored. When I confronted him, he actually had the nerve to accuse me of being selfish.

"Professor Davis is really sick, and her only wish is to see a grandchild. It's just IVF, Jen. Nothing's actually going to happen between us!"

"Besides," he added, "you were her student too. Can't you even grant her dying wish?"

The next day, I went to visit Professor Davis, a fruit basket in hand, only to see Mark making out with her daughter, Sarah, in the hallway.

I was stunned, like I'd been hit by a truck. I just turned and walked away.

The following day, I got a text from Mark: "Going for the IVF with Sarah. We'll have to postpone the post-wedding party at your folks' place."

I didn't reply. I just went back to my hometown alone, apologizing to every relative face to face.

Then I found a lawyer: "I want to sue my husband for bigamy."

...

The day of the post-wedding party rolled around, and Mark was a no-show.

I swallowed my tears and, with my parents by my side, went around to each relative, offering our apologies.

In my town, the groom skipping the post-wedding party is a major insult to the bride's family. It's seen as disrespectful and humiliating.

I'd stressed this to Mark repeatedly before the wedding, and he'd sworn he wouldn't miss it.

But here we were…

My parents looked like they'd aged ten years overnight. They were hunched over, explaining to everyone.

"I'm so sorry, our son-in-law had a last-minute emergency and couldn't get away. He'll definitely come and apologize personally when he gets back."

The relatives weren't exactly thrilled, but they accepted my parents' sincere apologies.

Except for my uncles. They were furious.

"That kid! What could be more important than this? He's got his head up his ass!" Uncle Jerry bellowed.

"We're going to drive down to the city and give his parents a piece of our mind!" Uncle Mike added. "I want to know what kind of job they did raising him!"

My uncles got angrier and angrier, slamming their fists on the table.

My Uncle Pete, red-faced, pulled out his phone, ready to book a flight.

I stopped him.

"Uncle Pete, it's okay."

Just moments before, I'd seen Sarah's Instagram post.

"Trying to make Mom's wish come true. Fingers crossed for a miracle."

Mark had commented: "I'm here for you, babe."

His head was completely filled with Sarah. He didn't have time for me or my family.

You can control someone's actions, but you can't force their heart.

Even if my uncles dragged him to the party, it wouldn't be any better than him not showing up at all.