My Wife Excluded Me from Her Birthday Party – I Was Shocked to Find Out Why

I thought my wife, Jenna, and I shared everything, including our deepest secrets. But when she excluded me from her birthday party, I realized I’d been left out of more than just one celebration. What hurt the most was discovering why.

It wasn’t just the party that stung. It was what it revealed about my wife and our marriage.

I’d spent a year saving for her dream gift, only to find out that I wasn’t enough for her. Looking back, the signs had always been there. I guess I just never wanted to see them.

A man looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney

A man looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney

Jenna and I were introduced by our families eight years ago. They thought we’d be a great match, and they were right. At least in the beginning.

She was warm, outgoing, and had this infectious energy that made everyone gravitate toward her. I was quieter and more practical, but I found her enthusiasm refreshing. We went on a few dates, and soon enough, I was hooked.

Of course, she wasn’t perfect. No one is.

I noticed early on that she had a bit of a materialistic streak.

A woman sitting in her house | Source: Midjourney

A woman sitting in her house | Source: Midjourney

She loved fancy dinners, designer handbags, and the kind of vacations that made Instagram feeds look like travel brochures.

At the time, I chalked it up to her appreciating the finer things in life. Besides, I wasn’t exactly living extravagantly, but I wasn’t struggling either.

I thought we could balance each other out.

We got married five years ago, and for a while, everything seemed great. I loved how Jenna lit up a room and could talk to anyone and make them feel like the most important person in the world.

A close-up shot of a woman | Source: Midjourney

A close-up shot of a woman | Source: Midjourney

I worked a steady job as a financial consultant, and while I wasn’t raking in millions, I took pride in providing a stable life for us.

But there were moments, small, nagging moments, that hinted things weren’t as perfect as they seemed.

I remember one time I gave her a custom photo album for our anniversary, filled with pictures of our favorite memories. She smiled and thanked me, but later, I overheard her on the phone with a friend, saying, “Yeah, it’s sweet, but I was kind of hoping for a spa weekend or something.”

A woman using her phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman using her phone | Source: Midjourney

It hurt, but I convinced myself it didn’t mean anything. Jenna had always been expressive, and I figured she was just venting.

Still, the little incidents piled up.

She’d casually mention how her friend’s husband surprised her with diamond earrings “just because” or how another friend’s partner whisked her away for a luxury retreat.

“Can you believe how lucky they are?” she’d say, with a wistful look I tried not to take personally.

But deep down, I started to feel like I was falling short.

A man talking to his wife | Source: Midjourney

A man talking to his wife | Source: Midjourney

I didn’t have the kind of job that allowed for extravagant gifts or surprise getaways, but I made up for it with thoughtfulness. At least, I thought I did.

I’d spend hours planning little surprises for her, like cooking her favorite meals after a long day or leaving sweet notes in her work bag.

I hoped those gestures meant more than a price tag.

Then came the conversations that left me questioning myself.

A man standing in the dark | Source: Midjourney

A man standing in the dark | Source: Midjourney

Once, when her friends came over, I overheard them talking.

“So, what did Lucas spoil you with this time?” one of her friends asked.

I heard Jenna laugh sheepishly.

“Oh, you know Lucas,” she began. “He’s more about sentiment than splurging.”

Her tone wasn’t outright dismissive, but it wasn’t exactly proud either.

A woman sitting in the dark | Source: Midjourney

A woman sitting in the dark | Source: Midjourney

Looking back, I should’ve seen it coming. I should’ve realized that Jenna’s world was one where appearances mattered. A world where being “just enough” was never going to cut it.

But I loved her, and I believed that love was enough to bridge the gap between our differences.

I was wrong.

So wrong.

A man standing in his house | Source: Midjourney

A man standing in his house | Source: Midjourney

A few weeks ago, Jenna surprised me with an announcement that caught me off guard.

“I’m not celebrating my birthday this year,” she said over dinner. “I’m getting older, and honestly, what’s there to celebrate?”

I paused mid-bite and stared at her. Jenna loved birthdays. She’d always meticulously plan a theme, coordinate outfits, and ensure the guest list was perfect. The idea of her skipping the occasion altogether felt off.

“Are you sure?” I asked, keeping my tone light. “You’ve always loved celebrating.”

A man talking to his wife | Source: Midjourney

A man talking to his wife | Source: Midjourney

She shrugged. “I just don’t feel like it this year. Maybe next time.”

Her response didn’t sit well with me, but I didn’t push. Everyone has their moments, and I figured turning 35 left her feeling reflective or even self-conscious.

Still, I wanted to do something special for her.

Jenna loved jewelry but rarely bought any for herself, always saying it was too indulgent. So, for the past year, I’d been quietly saving up for a pair of diamond earrings I knew she’d adore.

A pair of earrings | Source: Pexels

A pair of earrings | Source: Pexels

Honestly, saving up hadn’t been easy. I’d skipped lunches out, passed on new clothes, and even took on extra work during the holidays.

The earrings I’d bought were beautiful and I couldn’t wait to surprise her. I imagined giving them to her during a quiet dinner at home. I thought it would be perfect.

But everything changed a few days before her birthday.

I was at the grocery store picking up some last-minute essentials when I ran into Mark, one of Jenna’s coworkers.

Shopping carts at a supermarket | Source: Pexels

Shopping carts at a supermarket | Source: Pexels

We exchanged pleasantries and talked about the usual stuff until he casually mentioned something that made my heart drop.

“Okay, see ya at Jenna’s birthday party on Friday!” he said with a grin.

“Party?” I asked. I had no idea what he was talking about.

“Yeah, her birthday party. You know about it, right?”

“Oh, yeah, the party!” I chuckled. “Same place as last time, right? I keep mixing things up.”

“No, it’s at that new restaurant,” Mark said. “Le Bijou, downtown. Friday at 7. All friends and family are coming!”

A man in a supermarket | Source: Pexels

A man in a supermarket | Source: Pexels

I forced a laugh, playing it off. “Oh, right, of course. Just slipped my mind for a second. Been swamped with work lately.”

Mark nodded. “Well, it should be fun. Jenna always throws a great party.”

I managed a smile and a quick goodbye before turning the cart down the next aisle.

Le Bijou was a new upscale restaurant downtown. It required booking weeks in advance and a price tag to match.

What bothered me the most was that my wife hadn’t mentioned a word about that party.

A woman standing in her house | Source: Midjourney

A woman standing in her house | Source: Midjourney

For the next two days, I tried to rationalize what Mark had said. Maybe he was mistaken. Maybe it was a surprise party, and Jenna didn’t want me to find out.

But deep down, I knew the truth. She’d excluded me on purpose.

Why wouldn’t she want me there? I thought. Was she embarrassed? Angry? Or had I done something to make her feel like I didn’t belong by her side?

A man looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney

A man looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney

The questions ate away at me, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask Jenna outright.

Instead, I decided to find out. I told myself I wasn’t going to cause a scene and that I just needed answers. I decided to go to the party to see why she didn’t want me there.

On the day of her birthday, she seemed quite calm.

“I’m just going out with some friends for dinner tonight,” she said over breakfast, sipping her coffee. “Nothing fancy, just a small gathering.”

A woman smiling at the breakfast table | Source: Midjourney

A woman smiling at the breakfast table | Source: Midjourney

“Oh, really? I thought we’d have dinner at home together,” I said. “I was planning to bake your favorite cookies.”

“That’s so sweet of you, Lucas,” she smiled. “It’s just that Alex suggested we should go out for dinner, and I didn’t want to say no. We’ll have dinner together tomorrow, okay? I promise.”

“Alright,” I said, trying to hide the disappointment.

She didn’t mention Le Bijou or anything remotely like the extravagant affair Mark had described. A quiet dinner with friends was nothing to raise suspicion over. At least not until I arrived at the restaurant.

A table in a restaurant | Source: Pexels

A table in a restaurant | Source: Pexels

When I walked into Le Bijou, it was as if I’d stepped into a different world. The room glittered with wealth. Sparkling gowns, tailored suits, and the unmistakable hum of privilege.

In the center of it all was Jenna. Her smile was as dazzling as the chandelier above her, but it faded the moment she saw me.

I could see panic written all over her face as she excused herself and walked toward me.

“What are you doing here?” she asked in a low, hurried whisper.

A woman talking to her husband | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking to her husband | Source: Midjourney

“I came to celebrate your birthday,” I replied. “But it looks like you’re having a ball with your friends. You said you didn’t want to celebrate your birthday this year, but…”

Her face flushed as she looked around. “Lucas, it’s not like that. This is just a casual dinner. I—”

“Mark called it a birthday party when I met him a few days ago,” I said. “This doesn’t look like a casual dinner.”

Her shoulders sagged slightly, and she glanced back at the table where her friends were watching us with open curiosity.

A woman looking away while talking to her husband | Source: Midjourney

A woman looking away while talking to her husband | Source: Midjourney

“Look,” she said, lowering her voice even further. “I excluded you from the party because… well, it’s complicated.”

“Complicated how?”

“It’s just that all my friends’ husbands always get them these extravagant gifts, and you… well, you don’t. I didn’t want them to compare. I didn’t want them to know that I never get any expensive gifts.”

I stared at her with wide eyes.

“So, you’re embarrassed of me?” I asked. “You’re embarrassed your husband doesn’t earn enough to spoil you with presents?”

Her silence was answer enough.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled the small box from my pocket and handed it to her.

“Open it,” I said.

A woman holding a gift box | Source: Pexels

A woman holding a gift box | Source: Pexels

Her eyes widened slightly as she unwrapped it, revealing the diamond earrings inside. For a moment, I saw the Jenna I fell in love with. The one who lit up over little surprises and thoughtful gestures.

“Oh my God, Lucas,” she gasped, holding the earrings up for her friends to admire. “These are beautiful!”

She called her friends over, basking in their admiration as if the entire evening had suddenly transformed into a celebration of us.

“Lucas, you have to stay,” she said, grabbing my hand. “Come on, have a drink, let me get you some food.”

A woman looking back | Source: Midjourney

A woman looking back | Source: Midjourney

But I couldn’t. Something inside me had cracked, and no amount of praise or attention from her friends could fix it.

“I can’t stay,” I said. “The second part of your gift is waiting for you at home.”

Her eyes lit up with excitement. “What is it? Tell me!”

“You’ll see,” I said, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek before walking away. I didn’t look back.

When Jenna returned home later that night, she found the house dark and eerily quiet.

A woman in a hallway | Source: Midjourney

A woman in a hallway | Source: Midjourney

The only light came from the kitchen, where a single envelope sat on the table. I’d left a letter for her.

Dear Jenna,

I spent a year saving for those earrings because I wanted you to feel loved, cherished, and appreciated. You always said you loved jewelry but never treated yourself, so I wanted to give you something special. Something to show you how much you mean to me.

A woman reading a letter | Source: Midjourney

A woman reading a letter | Source: Midjourney

But tonight, I realized that no matter how much I give, it will never be enough. Hearing you say you were embarrassed of me, of us, broke something inside me. I’ve always believed love was about more than material things, but you’ve made it clear that appearances and comparisons matter more.

So, here’s the second part of your gift: FREEDOM. For both of us.

A close-up shot of a handwritten note | Source: Pexels

A close-up shot of a handwritten note | Source: Pexels

I’m filing for divorce. I deserve someone who values me for who I am, not for what I can buy. And you deserve someone who can give you the lifestyle you clearly want.

Please don’t contact me. This is goodbye.

—Lucas

Over the next few days, Jenna called me repeatedly, leaving tearful messages begging for forgiveness. She said she’d made a mistake, that she didn’t mean what she said, and that she wanted to fix things.

But I was done. I sent her one final text.

A man using his phone | Source: Pexels

A man using his phone | Source: Pexels

Don’t contact me again. It’s over.

Then I blocked her number and moved forward with the divorce.

Now, months later, I feel lighter, as if a weight I didn’t even know I was carrying has been lifted. Losing Jenna was painful, but knowing I’ll never have to endure her constant comparisons or unspoken disappointment again?

That’s a relief I can’t put into words.

If you enjoyed reading this story, here’s another one you might like: I never imagined that hiding behind our bedroom curtain to surprise my husband on his birthday would lead to me filming him somewhere unexpected just hours later. The romantic scavenger hunt I’d planned turned into evidence that we needed a divorce.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

Lady Informs Fiancé’s Family She Is Pregnant, ‘He’s Infertile!’ His Mom Says – Story of the Day

Chris’ parents didn’t accept his relationship with Amanda. When she announced her pregnancy at the dinner, they rushed to call her a cheater because they had just gotten some shocking medical results. Their lives would never be the same.

“I just want to get this over with,” Chris sighed in front of his parents’ house door.

“They’re your parents, honey. We want them to finally accept me and come to our wedding, right?” his wife, Amanda, caressed his arms.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Chris grunted. “I really don’t care about that, Amanda. I’m sorry, but if they can’t accept the woman I love, I don’t want anything to do with them.”

“Please, honey. We have to make peace with them. What about the future? They’re family. We want them to be a part of our children’s lives, don’t we?” Amanda continued, smiling slightly. The problem is that the young, beautiful woman didn’t see the tightening of her husband’s mouth.

Chris tried to keep his composure after her words, but he only barely managed. “Yeah. I guess,” he muttered through his stiff lips.

“That’s… fine. When are you going to quit your job?” he continued.

“OK! Now, cheer up. We’re in this together,” Amanda perked and hugged his side.

Chris’s mother, Mrs. Castillo, opened the door with her signature fake grin, only slightly lifting her lips.

“Hello, Amanda. It’s nice to see you,” she said, nodding her head subtly and moving, so they could walk through the door.

Chris wanted to roll his eyes. It had been years since he and Amanda got together. They were engaged, and his parents still viewed her as the woman who “ruined their plans.” They wanted their son with someone else and were salty about his decision.

***

When Chris graduated from college and got his first job, his parents introduced him to Ciara, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey. Her father was on a local private clinic board and highly well-respected in their town.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

Chris came from the Castillo family, and they had always been wealthy thanks to their great-grandfather’s investments. Chris didn’t care much for that stuff. His parents were obsessed with status and what others would say.

However, he made the most amazing friends at college who came from all walks of life. It truly changed his life, and he realized that the girls he had been exposed to through private school and country club parties were not for him. He wanted a real woman.

And Amanda appeared. He had been at his job for a couple of years and collided with her on his way out of a parking lot. It was love at first sight for him, so he tried to joke, smile, and invite her out straight away.

She worked at a nearby building and was not happy about his advances. But eventually, she said yes to a date, and they had been together since.

The first time she met his parents was a disaster. They told Chris to break things off as soon as she left the restaurant table for the bathroom.

“She’s an assistant. Why can’t you date Ciara? She adores you. This is not the girl for you,” his mother said quietly, but her face showed desperation and disgust.

“Listen to your mother, son. You must marry a woman from your own… ugh… class. It won’t work otherwise,” his dad joined in, shaking his head.

“The two of you need to shut up. I will not listen to this. Ciara is a vapid little princess, and I don’t want to be near her… ever!” he said, forcefully but still discreetly enough.

Amanda returned to the table, and the dinner continued. His parents never had much of a poker face, so this meeting wasn’t pleasant. However, it was worse after those comments, and Amanda sensed it.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

He explained everything later, and she understood, telling him to give his parents time. But it had been a while, and they had yet to warm up. They behaved to her face but grumbled behind her back. Mostly, they tolerated her, especially since they got engaged. Meanwhile, she remained hopeful. Amanda was a glass-half-full kind of person. Therefore, she still called his mother to plan dinners and included her in some of the wedding details.

The only thing Amanda had not been open about was the fact that they were already trying for a baby. She wanted that to be a surprise. With some luck, Mr. and Mrs. Castillo would finally warm up when they started having babies.

***

As they sat at his parent’s dinner table, Chris could only think of wrapping this gathering up quickly. He had something to tell his fiancée, and it was extremely urgent. It might change the nature of their relationship forever. She might even decide to leave him.

“They don’t know what they’re missing. Let them eat cake in their country clubs while you and I find real happiness.”

He had actually talked to his parents about this a few days ago when he received the news. They didn’t have a lot to say about it. Their faces showed sadness and concern, but they remained their stoic selves.

“If Amanda leaves you, let her do it,” his mother told him, but that would kill Chris. So, he had been afraid of telling her the truth.

“So, Amanda,” his father began, snapping Chris out of his thoughts. “How’s work?”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

“Oh, Mr. Castillo. Work is going great. My boss has this huge event coming up, and I’m helping plan everything. It’s been fun, actually,” she replied, happy they showed interest in her.

“That’s… fine. When are you going to quit your job?” he continued.

“Excuse me?”

“Quit. To become a housewife,” Mr. Castillo clarified.

“I’m not quitting,” Amanda said, confused.

“She’s going to keep working, Dad,” Chris intervened, peeved.

“That’s… just fine. Amanda is a modern woman after all, darling,” his mother said, not quite smiling but not angry either.

“Well, I don’t know my plans yet. It’ll depend on the future,” Amanda said and swallowed nervously. “Speaking of which, I have an announcement. I’m pregnant!”

There was extreme silence at the table, which seemed to expand for hours, but it was only a few seconds. Amanda had been sure that a baby was everything this family needed to accept her finally, but she had no idea what Chris had just discovered.

The first person to break the silence was Mrs. Castillo. “He’s infertile!” she yelled, seething. Her eyes were almost red from anger.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

Chris was frozen in complete shock. They had been intimate for a while without protection, hoping for this. But he just got medical results proving that he couldn’t father anyone. That meant… that Amanda had cheated.

“YOU WORTHLESS TROLLOP!” his mother screamed some more. “YOU CHEATED NO MY SON AND GOT PREGNANT? NOW YOU WANT TO BABY-TRAP HIM?”

“Baby trap him? Mrs. Castillo, Chris and I have been trying for months. We wanted to surprise you and start our family right away. What do you mean by infertile? That’s impossible!” Amanda shook her head rapidly, not knowing what to do.

Mr. Castillo wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin and stood. “Get out of this house immediately. Never show your face near my son again, or we will get a restraining order,” he threatened quietly.

“Sir! Chris, please. Do something. I don’t understand!” Amanda begged her fiance, but Chris couldn’t move. Suddenly, Mrs. Castillo grabbed Amanda’s hair and started pulling her toward the front door.

“Get out of here now!” the older woman yelled like a banter.

Amanda held onto her hair to prevent more pain, but she repeatedly called out to Chris. It was futile. He was still at the table, looking at his plate and not moving.

“CHRIS!” Amanda shouted finally as the heavy front door slammed.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

***

The next few days were a confusing blur. Chris moved out of their shared apartment, leaving the medical results on their kitchen countertop. He also left a Post-it.

“I was concerned and got tested. I’m infertile. Completely. I hope you have a happy life, but it won’t be with me,” he wrote, breaking Amanda’s heart.

That doctor had to be wrong. She was pregnant, and it was 100% Chris’s baby. She hadn’t been with anyone else for many years. How was this possible? And why wouldn’t he talk to me?

Despite her best efforts, Chris refused contact. When she went to his parent’s house, they called the police, who told her to leave or risk being arrested.

“Fine! I’ll leave! I’ll raise this beautiful baby on my own! You’re the one missing out, and when you realize the truth, it’ll be too late!” she screamed towards the mansion and walked away.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Despite what the Castillo family tried to imply, Amanda didn’t need to trap anyone. She might not be from a wealthy family, but she had a great job. Her company had a fantastic maternity leave policy, and the entire team was ready to support her dearly. Her boss loved her, so she wasn’t worried.

“What? No, that was just our plan,” Mrs. Geoffrey chuckled, waving her hand.

The problem was facing an utterly different future without Chris and as a single mom. But if others could do it, she could too.

Therefore, she had the baby, named him Paul, and did her best. It was suffocating doing everything alone at times, but she persevered every day for her son. The only problem was that her baby was a carbon copy of Chris. It was impossible to miss.

“Those idiots,” she whispered after putting him down for a nap. “They don’t know what they’re missing. Let them eat cake in their country clubs while you and I find real happiness.”

***

Chris tried to move on with life. His usually cold parents were highly supportive after he moved out of his shared apartment with Amanda. He was thankful for that. The last thing he ever imagined was Amanda cheating on him. It didn’t seem possible despite irrefutable proof.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

But his parents told him everything would be alright soon. And life goes on even when you don’t want it to. He returned to work, found a new apartment for himself, and tried to forget the pain. The future was bleak without Amanda, but his parents tried to cheer him up.

One day, they invited him for dinner, and Ciara was there. Surprisingly, they got along, and she had many interesting things to say. His parents were delighted and encouraged the friendship. Chris didn’t have the fight in him to refuse again.

He started dating Ciara. They were taking things slow, but he didn’t discourage his mother when she talked about a country club wedding. Fine. If this is the life I deserve, I’ll just let them plan everything for me, he thought during his depressing moments.

Amanda was out of his life. He just hoped her baby daddy was a good man.

***

About a year after Paul was born, Amanda was walking down the street, focusing on her cell phone, when she stumbled upon someone.

“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking,” she apologized, only to raise her eyes and see Chris. “Oh.”

“Amanda,” he said, swallowing. “Hi.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

“Hello,” she replied awkwardly. “Bye.”

“Wait,” Chris grabbed her hand, but the movement made her drop her phone. “Jeez, I’m sorry.”

He picked it up, and the screen lit. There was a picture of her baby as a screensaver, and his eyes zeroed in on it.

“Give me that,” Amanda snatched it from his hands, finally showing her anger. “You don’t deserve to look at him.”

“Him?” he mumbled, breathless from seeing the image.

“Yes. My son,” she said, lifting her chin. “Mine. Alone.”

Her whole demeanor was surprising. He understood why she would lie about cheating at first, but it had been a while since their split. She didn’t have to pretend anymore.

“I guess it didn’t work out with the father,” Chris commented, wanting to be angry and hurt her somehow.

“Yeah. It didn’t,” she raised her eyebrows. “Bye, Chris.”

And she walked away.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For several days, Chris pondered hard on the situation. He didn’t remember the picture of the baby much, as she had snatched her phone too quickly. But he had stunning blue eyes. Amanda’s eyes were brown. Of course, anyone could be the father.

But her attitude. The way she was accusing him without actually saying anything was highly odd. Was it possible that he had been wrong? That his doctors were wrong?

It didn’t seem likely because he had gone to Ciara’s father’s private clinic. They had all the latest technologies, so the chances of a false result were odd. But… what if?

He couldn’t think about it much because Ciara dragged him to her mother’s house for a meeting with the wedding planner. Yes, they were engaged, and things were moving fast. He didn’t care. He just wanted his parents to shut up about it.

The whole situation was insane. He had no idea why he was there when Ciara and her mother were picking up everything. When his new fiancée took a break, Mrs. Geoffrey focused on him. She talked a bit about the wedding, the future, how she always knew this day would come, etc.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

But suddenly, she said, “Oh, my god, and the babies you two will have. Precious!”

“Life’s too short for grudges.”

“Babies? Mrs. Geoffrey, I’m infertile. You should know that. I got tested at your husband’s clinic, and everyone knows,” Chris explained, frowning.

“What? No, that was just our plan,” Mrs. Geoffrey chuckled, waving her hand.

“Plan?” Chris asked, his voice turning to ice.

Mrs. Geoffrey seemed only to realize then what she had said. Her face turned white, and her hand flew to her mouth. “I mean…. Ehhh, no. Those things have errors… I think IVF can work…” she stuttered through her words.

And Chris knew everything right away.

Ciara walked back. “OK, let’s continue,” she said, not reading the room.

“Darling, I’m glad you tricked me, and I get to marry you now,” he said unexpectedly. Ciara’s head turned to him quickly.

“You know about that?” she asked, starting to smile.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

“Ciara, no!” her mother whispered.

Chris rose from the couch. “Goodbye. I hope you two rot in hell.”

***

Chris got the entire story from his mother, who was on the phone while he drove to Amanda’s apartment. Luckily, she had never moved out of their shared place, and he still had a copy of the key.

“Chris, you don’t understand!” she wailed, and he didn’t care. He demanded the truth.

His results were indeed a plan. A ruse. A scheme. A betrayal. It was all designed so he would dump Amanda and go to Ciara. Somehow, his mother had discovered how much Amanda wanted to have children. They thought they would separate from the news.

But their plan went even better after Amanda’s pregnancy announcement. Mrs. Castillo mustered her best acting and put on that show. Everyone knew. His parents, Ciara’s parents, and the technician they had paid off and fired later to give the erroneous results. His doctor had even been deceived because he had only seen the fake labs and images.

“You will never see me again,” he told his mother and hung up.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

He knocked, realized Amanda was not home, and decided to go in. He entered the second room and saw the beautiful space she had built for their son. It was blue. There were clouds painted on the walls and toys lying around.

Chris also walked into their bedroom and saw that everything was mostly the same. He sat down on her side of the bed and wanted to break down in tears. But he had to contain himself and think hard. How am I going to win her back and apologize for everything? Will she believe me? he pondered, but the tears showed up, and they wouldn’t stop.

Eventually, he fell asleep.

***

“AAAAH!” Amanda yelled after turning on the light in her room. “Get out of here! I’m calling the police!”

“Amanda!” Chris rushed out of the bed. “Amanda! Amanda! It’s me!”

“Chris! Hell! How could you just walk in here? Are you insane? I was about to grab a knife!” Amanda yelled and hit his shoulder slightly; then she saw his tear-streaked face. “Why are you here in the first place?”

“We need to talk…” he looked down, wetting his parched lips.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

***

“I guess… I’m not surprised, but it’s… still… so unbelievable,” she said after telling her the entire story.

“Yeah,” Chris nodded. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve believed you. I should’ve asked for more tests. I was shocked by the news, and I didn’t know if you would leave me because you always wanted a family. I was an idiot.”

“Yeah, you were,” Amanda agreed. “But I guess it finally makes sense. Like… everything fits. I’m not saying it’s right. But I get it.”

“Is there any way you can forgive me?”

“Life’s too short for grudges.”

“And is there any way I can be in his life?”

“That I don’t know,” Amanda looked down. “It’s been… hard. It’s been lonely. It’s not what we planned together. I don’t know if there’s any going back.”

She had held back tears until now, as the moisture ran slowly down her face as she remembered all that had happened in almost two years. Chris cried with her.

“I know it’ll take me forever, but I will make this up to you. No matter what happens… even if you and I can’t pick up where we left off, you and him are my family. My only family,” he swore, and Amanda looked into his aching, puffy eyes and knew that he was determined.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels

“First… you should meet Paul, your son,” Amanda began, wiping her face. “And then, we probably need to think about suing Mr. Geoffrey.”

Chris laughed and cried at the same time. She was her cheerful self despite everything, and as usual, she was right. He needed a lawyer.

What can we learn from this story?

  • Always get a second opinion. There can always be false results in the medical field, so you should always check with someone else when a diagnosis seems too drastic.
  • Give your partner the benefit of the doubt and let them explain. Chris could’ve saved himself so much pain if he had allowed Amanda to speak. The scheme might’ve been discovered immediately.

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a woman who thought her husband was infertile until she met two younger men who looked just like him.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.

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