Chapter 5: By the Time He Reached Me

When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I saw was Anna sitting beside the bed. Her eyes were red, but her voice remained steady. “You’re awake.” I tried to speak. My throat felt dry, and every part of me seemed heavy. “Is it over?” Anna took my hand. “The procedure is over. The doctor said you need to rest and let them monitor you.” I closed my eyes. There should have been grief. There was grief. But underneath it was something colder—the knowledge that the pregnancy I had treasured had been created through deception. Jason and Rachel had taken away my right to make an informed choice before I ever became pregnant. I had not destroyed their dream. I had simply refused to keep sacrificing my body to fulfill it.

Anna waited until I was stronger before telling me Jason was still downstairs. “He hasn’t left.” “That’s his problem.” “He keeps asking to see you.” “No.” The answer came without hesitation. For four years, Jason had been allowed into every part of my life. My home, my finances, my plans, my fears. He had taken that access and used it to build the perfect lie. He no longer had the right to enter my hospital room simply because he suddenly wanted to explain himself.

A nurse came in with a small envelope. “Your husband asked us to give you this. We told him we couldn’t guarantee you would accept it.” I stared at the envelope for several seconds. Then I handed it to Anna. “Return it.” I did not care whether it contained an apology, an explanation, or another beautiful promise. Jason had always been good with tenderness. That was precisely why his betrayal had worked.

Downstairs, Jason received the unopened envelope. His face turned white. “Did she say anything?” The nurse shook her head. He sat in the waiting area for hours, replaying every moment of our marriage. He remembered proposing to me at the wedding where Rachel and my former fiancé had humiliated me. He remembered telling everyone that I deserved someone who would choose me first. At the time, he had meant every word. Somewhere along the way, however, his desire to indulge Rachel had become more important than the promise he had made to me.

Rachel arrived at the hospital that evening. Jason stood the moment he saw her. “What are you doing here?” She looked offended. “I came to check what happened.” “You shouldn’t be here.” Her expression hardened. “Why are you talking to me like that?” Jason stared at her. For years, he had excused everything she wanted. A bracelet. Investment advice. Attention. Finally, a child without the pain and risk of pregnancy. He had told himself each favor was harmless because Nina would never know. Now Nina knew. And suddenly every favor looked exactly like what it had always been: a betrayal.

Rachel lowered her voice. “What happened to the baby?” Jason did not answer. Her face changed. “No.” He looked away. “No, Jason. Tell me she didn’t.” “This is not the place.” “That was my baby!” Jason snapped his head toward her. “It was inside Nina’s body.” Rachel stared at him. “You promised me.” The words made him recoil. Yes. He had promised Rachel a baby that Nina believed was her own. There was no way to say it aloud without hearing how monstrous it sounded.

My parents arrived next. My mother demanded to see me. The hospital refused. She called Anna selfish and accused her of turning me against the family. Anna laughed. “Nina heard all of you herself. I didn’t have to turn her against anyone.” My father tried a softer approach. “We only wanted what was best for both girls.” Anna looked at him with open disgust. “You gave Rachel Nina’s fiancé at her wedding. Then years later, you helped use Nina’s body to give Rachel another thing she wanted. At what point was Nina included in what was ‘best’?” Neither of them answered.

The following morning, my lawyer arrived. He placed the divorce documents beside me. “Jason has been served.” I nodded. “There’s more,” he said. “We’ve begun separating the investments and assets that can be traced to your personal capital and agreements. We’ll do this properly.” “Good.” “Are you sure you don’t want to speak with him first?” I looked toward the window. “No. He had months to speak to me before making decisions about my body.” My lawyer nodded. That was the end of the discussion.

Jason received the divorce petition in the hospital corridor. He stared at my signature. For the first time, he understood that I was not threatening to leave. I had already left. He rushed toward the elevators again, but security stopped him. “Nina!” he shouted. His voice carried faintly through the hallway. I heard it from my room. My fingers tightened around the blanket. Once, that voice could make me turn around no matter how angry I was. This time, I did not move.

“Nina, please! Just let me explain!” I stared at the ceiling. There was nothing left to explain. He had switched the egg. He had planned to take the baby. He had planned to tell me my child died. He had intended to watch me grieve a child who would actually be alive in my sister’s arms. And afterward, he planned to “make it up” to me by remaining my husband. His explanation could not change a single one of those facts.

Anna closed the door more firmly. “You okay?” I breathed slowly. “Yes.” It surprised me that the answer was true. I was devastated. I was physically exhausted. I had lost a marriage, a family, and the future I thought I was carrying. But beneath all of that, something inside me had finally stopped begging to be chosen. Jason had made his choice. My parents had made theirs. Rachel had made hers. Now it was my turn.