Left With Nothing But My Son

On our third wedding anniversary, I came home early to find my husband, Donovan, in bed with another woman.

It was the tenth time.

But I didnt scream or cry. I just quietly closed the door for them.

A month later, he threw the divorce papers on the table in front of me.

What have you ever done for the Ashford family besides produce a son? he sneered. The girl wants a real home with me. Sign it.

I looked into his cold, indifferent eyes, my own voice betraying no emotion. Fine. But I get our son. I dont want a dime of your money.

In the end, I gave up everything, walking away with nothing but my son.

Everyone said I was insane to walk away from the Ashford fortune.

Even Donovan asked contemptuously, Youre a fertility specialist. How in the world are you going to support him?

What none of them knew was that Donovan Ashford had a severe case of male infertility.

And that I, with my unusually high fertility, was the only woman in the world who could ever bear his child.

The Ashford familys century-old empire would have only one heir: my son.

1.

Twenty minutes later, the master bedroom door opened.

A girl emerged, wrapped in nothing but Donovans white dress shirt. It was Sophie, Donovans newest mistress, a scholarship student he was sponsoring.

She froze when she saw me, then lifted her chin, her posture radiating the arrogance of a woman who believed she was the true lady of the house.

I just nodded. Use the side door. The paparazzi are camped out front.

She bit her lip and shot me a glare before scurrying away.

Donovan appeared a moment later, a towel slung loosely around his hips. He glanced at our son, Noah, asleep in my arms, then back at me, a playful smirk touching his lips.

So well-behaved today.

I gently placed the sleeping Noah back in his crib, tucking him in.

Donovan lit a cigarette. Vivienne, you should always be this sensible.

His face was a blur in the smoke. For a second, I was transported back four years, to a night just like this. He had stood drenched on the street below my apartment, holding takeout from that little place I loved. Rain dripped from the ends of his hair.

Dr. Rowe, Ive been pursuing you for three months. Give me a chance?

His eyes were so bright then, filled with a sincerity I would never see in them again.

Donovans voice pulled me back to the present.

You havent forgotten why we got married, have you? he said coolly. I was drunk that night, forgot to take precautions. You got lucky, hit the jackpot on the first try.

He stepped closer, his fingers tilting my chin up. The Ashfords value bloodline above all else. Otherwise, a little doctor like you how would you have ever married into this family?

I know, I said, turning my head to escape his touch.

His eyes hardened. He pulled his hand back and took another drag from his cigarette. Good that you know. Just be Mrs. Ashford, raise our son well, and I wont treat you poorly. He paused. But Vivienne, dont ever expect me to be faithful to just one woman.

I understand, I murmured, lowering my gaze.

He smiled, satisfied. As he turned to leave, he added, Oh, and my parents anniversary party is tomorrow. Wear the champagne-colored dress.

The door clicked shut.

I stood frozen for a long time. Only when my legs began to feel numb did I slowly walk back to the crib. Noah rolled over, his little lips puckered in a sweet dream.

There was so much Donovan didnt know.

For instance, I was the one who altered his pre-marital medical report. As his primary physician, I had the highest level of access. His semen analysis clearly stated: Severe Asthenospermia. Probability of natural conception is extremely low.

I quietly deleted that page.

I loved him then. Loved him so much I couldnt bear for him to know he was flawed.

It was only later that I learned from my mentor that I had a rare condition myself: hyper-fertility. Without me, Donovan Ashford would have likely died childless.

I gained forty pounds during the pregnancy, and thats when he stopped coming home. The first time, it was the scent of unfamiliar perfume on his shirt. I confronted him, and he shoved me away in irritation. Vivienne, can you stop being so neurotic?

Then came the lipstick stains, then the long hairs, and finally, he just started bringing them home.

I cried, I screamed, I fought. Until six months ago, when I caught him with his third mistress. He had pulled on his pants, bored, and grabbed my chin. Vivienne, you need to know your place. You got through the doors of this family because your womb did its job. Beyond that, you are nothing.

In that instant, something inside me shattered completely.

After that, I stopped fighting. I stopped making scenes. I would even make myself scarce when he brought women home.

It wasnt resignation.

It was the sudden, chilling realization of the rules of the game.

I leaned down and gently kissed Noahs soft forehead. He smelled faintly of milk, the only clean scent left in this house.

I whispered against his ear, my voice as soft as a sigh, Patience, my love.

Everything the Ashfords own will be ours one day. Its only a matter of time.

2.

For my in-laws seventieth birthday, they booked the entire top floor of Bridgewaters most exclusive hotel.

I wore the champagne dress Donovan had specified. But the place by his side, where I should have been standing, was occupied by Sophie.

When she walked in wearing the white couture gown I had admired but never dared to buy, every eye in the room turned to her.

Donovan, sorry Im late, she cooed, her voice sickeningly sweet.

Donovan kissed her cheek. Dont worry. The star of the show always arrives last.

My in-laws frowned but said nothing. A few of his uncles exchanged glances, a mixture of mockery and malicious glee.

I was seated at the far end of the long table, with distant relatives I barely knew.

After a few rounds of drinks, Sophie sauntered over, holding a wine glass. Her voice was sharp enough for the entire room to hear.

Mrs. Ashford, could you get me a glass of hot water? Im not feeling well.

Everyone looked at me.

Donovan continued cutting his steak, not even lifting his head.

I put down my glass. The waiter is right behind you.

Her smile faltered for a second before she recovered. But I want you to get it for me.

I met her gaze calmly. Miss Miller, if you want water, you can ask your boyfriend to get it for you.

A few stifled laughs rippled through the nearby tables.

Sophies eyes instantly filled with tears.

Donovan she turned to the head of the table, her voice trembling.

Donovan finally stood up. Vivienne, its just a glass of water. Why do you have to be so petty?

I looked at his cold, hard eyes, then stood, poured a glass of water, and pushed it across the table toward her.

Sophie didnt take it. Tears streamed down her face. Donovan, I was just trying to be friendly with her

Donovans expression darkened completely. Apologize.

The room fell silent.

My mother-in-law turned her face away. My father-in-law sighed.

I just stood there.

The eyes of everyone in the room were on me, a mix of pity, scorn, contempt, and morbid curiosity.

I remembered this same ballroom, one year ago today. Donovan had held my hand and introduced me to everyone.

This is my wife, Vivienne.

There had been pride in his eyes then, even if it was just a flicker.

Im sorry, I said, my voice flat. I shouldnt have told you to call a waiter yourself.

The party ended on a sour note.

Late that night, Donovan came home smelling of alcohol and slammed the divorce papers on the table.

He lit a cigarette. Sophie wants a home. Shes had a hard life. Just sign it.

I stared at the document, and my mind drifted to the night he proposed. He had arranged roses in the shape of a heart on the lawn below my apartment, the hand holding the ring trembling.

Vivienne, marry me. Ill make you happy for the rest of your life.

There was sincerity in his eyes then, even if it was just for a moment.

Noah has to come with me.

Donovan laughed, a cold, sharp sound. You cant afford him.

I stood up. I was a full head shorter than him, but my spine was straight.

Then Ill see you in court.

The smile vanished from his face. He stared at me, his expression a complex mix of emotions that finally settled into a sneer.

Fine. If you insist on humiliating yourself, Ill indulge you.

He turned at the door. Vivienne, you cant win against me. Do you really think a single doctor stands a chance against the Ashford familys legal team?

The door closed.

Rain began to fall outside, drumming against the windowpanes. In the garden, the roses Donovan had planted himself before we were married were being battered by the storm. Roses for my rose, he had said.

Now, the roses were dying.

I walked back to Noahs crib and leaned down to kiss his forehead.

Dont worry, my love, I whispered. Mommy wont lose.

From the study, I heard the sound of something shattering.

The war had begun.