Chapter 20
Shortly after our wedding, both families began pressuring us to have children. I showed them my diagnosis of infertility, hoping to silence the rumors.
From that moment, my mother–in–law’s attitude toward me changed. She openly declared that I wasn’t a real man, that her daughter was as beautiful as a flower, and that it was a misfortune for her to have married a failure like me.”
Sabrina noticed her mother’s harsh words, while my parents dragged me to specialists, desperately seeking a solution. One day, she hesitated before saying,
“Zach, why don’t I just tell them the truth? That I want to dance and don’t want children.“”
I pulled her into my arms, whispering, “Sabrina, if your mother knows you don’t want children, can you handle the pressure from your parents?”
“I can bear the insults and scolding–but can you? Are you willing to sacrifice your dance career?“!
Sabrina fell silent.
That night, I looked into her eyes and said firmly,
“Keep dancing for as long as you want. If one day you change your mind and want to be a mother, tell me. I’ll undergo surgery so we can have a child.“}
“As long as it’s what you truly want, I’ll always support you.”
A year into our marriage, Sabrina got an opportunity to study abroad at her own expense. Without hesitation, I withdrew funds from my family’s furniture factory and sent her away.
From that day on, my mother–in–law’s attitude softened. She stopped calling me a worthless man and spent more time in her hometown, claiming she preferred the fresh air and found the small house I bought for her too stifling.
I thought she had finally accepted me, that she was giving us the space to enjoy our married life.
I was wrong.
She had been staying in a neighboring city, taking care of her “three good nephews.“\
Only later did I realize–Sabrina had never gone abroad to study. She had used my money to have a child.
I swallowed my heartbreak.}
“Sabrina, did you ever think about me? Did you consider how I would feel?”
Seeing the pain in my eyes, a flicker of guilt crossed her face.}
“I’m sorry, Zach,” she whispered. “I just didn’t want you to suffer anymore. I didn’t want a child to disrupt our lives.“”
Then she added, “Mickey said that by having a child, he could fulfill his duty to carry on the family name. He’s content to raise the child alone, never marry, never start a new family, and never disturb us. If you’re willing, he even agrees that the child can respect you and call you godfather in the future.”
¡ let out a bitter laugh.”
“So Mickey is that considerate? Afraid I’d have no one to care for me in my old age, he went ahead and had three sons for me? Should I bow down and thank him for his generosity? Otherwise, I might really die alone.“}
{
Sabrina gave a faint smile.
“Forget the thanks. Mickey may be a few years younger than you, but he’s mature and selfless. He knows his position is… complicated, yet he’s never complained. He’s devoted himself to raising the children, so I never had to worry about their future.”
“Now that the kids are older and we’re financially stable, I think it’s time to give him some security. We should give Mickey one million from demolition compensation–consider it repayment for his sacrifices over the past decade. We’ll also buy him a four–bedroom apartment here. Once the children settle in, they’ll live with him.”
“I’ll visit occasionally, fulfill my responsibility as their mother.”
She said it so casually, yet each word struck my chest like a hammer.}
I tried to speak, but my throat was dry, my voice hoarse.”
“Sabrina, are you building a second family outside our marriage?“}
“Don’t you think this is cruel? How do you expect me to face our relatives and friends?”
For the first time, a trace of embarrassment flickered across her face.”
“Zach, I know I’ve wronged you. But for years, you always said you didn’t care about gossip. You said as long as we were happy, nothing else mattered.“#
She looked at me intently, her voice unwavering.
“So what are you saying now? That I should be heartless and abandon them?”
Straightening her posture she met my eves &
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Straightening her posture, she met my eyes.
“Zach, I’m a mother. You don’t have children, so you can’t possibly understand a mother’s love. I can’t just turn my back on them. This is my responsibility.“}
