Chapter 2

2.

Zach and I had dated for six years before tying the knot, always known as the golden couple everyone envied.

Our only heartbreak was our inability to conceive naturally.

The fertility specialist had told us that Zach suffered from severe motility issues, making IVF our sole sliver of hope.

Back then, Zach had broken down in tears of agony. "Nora, I just want a baby that belongs to us."

Remembering how deeply he had cherished me, I gritted my teeth and resigned from my high-paying corporate job.

I dedicated myself entirely to endless hormone injections and painful procedures.

Now that we had finally made it, he was standing at the altar playing husband to another woman.

I shoved past the friends attempting to hold me back and strode straight toward the stage.

As irony would have it, the officiant was enthusiastically egging on the crowd, calling for the groom to kiss the bride.

Zach seemed to hesitate, but his expression warped into sheer panic the moment his eyes met mine.

Riley was the first to speak.

"Don't get the wrong idea, Nora. My treatments overseas failed and I only have days left to live. I just wanted to experience the two most important milestones of life before I go."

I gave her no reaction, simply staring at Zach as I waited for his explanation.

Zach glanced down at his precious childhood friend.

"Nora, I didn't think your procedure would finish so early. I was just doing her a small favor, so please don't take it to heart."

A wedding carried profound sanctity for any woman.

Yet he casually told me not to take it to heart.

Right in front of the entire crowd, I grabbed the towering champagne pyramid and sent it crashing to the floor.

Then, I pulled off my wedding ring and hurled it straight into his face.

"We are done."

With those words, I spun on my heel and walked away.

Having the lawful wife crash their so-called sacred moment was a spectacle none of them would ever forget.

Looking at the shattered glass everywhere, Zach spoke with cold irritation.

"Nora, I always thought you were a kind and understanding woman."

His friends finally snapped out of their stupor.

"Zach! Nora just came out of surgery! You can't ruin your own marriage over a staged ceremony!"

Hearing the word surgery, Zach visibly wavered.

Before he could take a step toward me, Riley's choked voice cut through the air.

"She got out so quickly, the transfer probably failed anyway. Zach, my own parents threw me away. Are you going to abandon me too?"