Elena Ashford lay down on a narrow hospital bed and stared gloomily at the glaring white lights overhead. As the dye was injected, a sudden hot feeling overtook her, followed by the most severe cramp she had ever known. Despite the air conditioning, sweat filled her face. After a few minutes, the doctor showed her the screen, and pointed out her faulty fallopian tubes, sealed irrevocably against both egg and sperm.
Helpless tears ran down Elena's cheeks, soaking the neckline of her white gown, as the words "severe blockage" drummed in her mind. What would happen to her now? Could she never become a mother? Could she never give an offspring to her husband?
Elena got up. She could hear the shuffle her feet made as she left the room and despised her leaden legs. Her husband Evan Cross was in the gynecologist's office understanding the entire situation. Elena didn't have the courage to face her beloved which made her sit in the waiting area. As she sat on the well-worn chairs, she noticed that she was trembling.
She didn't know how Evan would react to this situation. She knew that he loved her, but not able to continue the bloodline… would he be okay with that? They had the option of adopting a child, but would he agree to it? Would it be able to replace the necessity of a biological child in his mind? They had loved each other for so long, this thing won't affect their relationship, right?
Elena's mind drifted to her college years where she had met Evan. Being the heiress of one of the most prestigious families of Imperial city, Elena was the center of attention wherever she went. She was the only child of the Ashford family and was expected to succeed her father in the business.
However, everybody thought that once the Ashford Corporation was handed over to Elena, it would go downhill. This was not because Elena was a failure, but because she was too low-profile. Nevertheless, the name of Ashford Corporation behind her had gained her many suitors.
However, Evan Cross was not one of them. He never showed any interest in her which sparked her curiosity. She wanted to know him better.
Over the time, Elena realized that Evan was from a middle-class family and had entered the college with difficulty. Even though his background was not worth mentioning, he carried himself well. He was a fairly good-looking man and was a talented musician. He played violin so well that Elena instantly fell in love with him.
Nobody knew that Elena had a thing for musicians. She loved music. It would give her a sense of peace in the chaotic world. Evan's music and his gentle aura instantly captivated Elena. She promised to herself that she would make Evan hers.
However, Evan Cross was not an easy nut to crack. Elena chased him incessantly before he agreed to go out with her. He just had one condition, which was that he would date to marry. So, if Elena was going to use him as a fling, he won't agree to date her.
This condition of his impressed Elena even more. How many people in this world were serious about their relationships? Most of them changed their partners just like they changed their clothes. Someone like Evan was extremely rare and his uniqueness made Elena fall head over heels on him.
Soon, they graduated and it was time to discuss marriage. Elena's father, the patriarch of the Ashford family, Reginald Ashford, strongly objected to this marriage. He didn't know why, but he sensed that Evan Cross was not what he appeared to be. Behind his gentlemanly façade, there was something else. Reginald's intuitions had never been wrong, and trusting his intuitions and judgements about people had brought him this far. He had seen all types of people in the business world and he knew how double-faced people behaved like. He could tell that Evan was also one of these people.
However, Elena was adamant on marrying Evan. She had declared that she would marry no one other than Evan Cross. No matter how Mr. Ashford tried to convince his daughter, she didn't pay heed to him. Over the time, Reginald felt that his daughter was turning distant from him and he could not bear it. So, for her happiness, he yielded and the wedding went forward.
Evan's family was ecstatic at the wedding. Who won't be when their son was marrying the daughter of one of the most prestigious families of the Imperial city?
Elena herself felt that her dream had finally come true. She had married the love of her life. What more did she want?
Reminiscing the past, Elena's brown eyes glistened with tears. They were such a happy couple, then how did the situation turn out like this? What had she done wrong for God to punish her this way?
She looked up at the ceiling as she wanted to hold back her tears. She didn't want to break down yet.