Isadora's POV
"Mrs Sterling," the doctor called, her voice tight with concern as she walked over and took a seat across of me. "I'm sorry. There is nothing that can be done about your husband's case. His sperm count is so low that even artificial insemination won't work. The only solution is to get a sperm donor."
I couldn't say a word. I just sat there speechless, my fists clenching my dress so tightly. My heart pounded so loudly like a war dream.
It has been three long years since I have been married to my husband, Nico Sterling. He's everything one can ask for in a man—kind, loving and generous. He's so perfect that sometimes I think I don't deserve him. But then… we can't have a child because he has a very low sperm count.
I have known this for the past six months now… but I can't bring myself to tell him. It would hurt him so much, and I'm sure he's going to blame himself a lot, especially the fact that everyone blames me for being barren. Though he has always defended me fiercely in the most possible ways.
Instead of telling him, I did everything I could. I got a sample of his sperm for artificial insemination, and now the doctor said even that can't work.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to speak. "So only a sperm donor can work?" l asked, and the doctor nodded slowly. "But If… I use a sperm donor, that means the child won't belong to my husband, right?"
"Yes…" the doctor shifted uncomfortably, which already gave me the answer I needed. "But the child would carry a part of your genetic material."
I shook my head, my eyes brimming with unshed tears. "No… I don't want that. I want the child to belong to both my husband and I."
The doctor didn't say anything else. She just pressed her lips together into a thin line.
"Ahh," I gasped painfully, running a hand through my hair in frustration.
Tensed silence fell over the room for a while.
Then I stood up. "Thank you so much, doctor."
"It's fine, Mrs. Sterling. And I will advise you tell your husband about this. That way, you both can seek a solution together."
"Alright." I walked out of the office.
As I walked towards the hospital garage in slowed steps, a thousand thoughts were swirling in my mind.
My only hope of ever becoming a mother has been dashed away. Is this really how I will die without a child of my own?
And is it okay if I tell Nico like the doctor advised?
I gave the chauffeur a grateful nod as he opened the door. Sliding into the backseat, I leaned my head against the window. The engine hummed to life, and we slipped into the chaos of the Las Vegas streets.
___________
I stepped out of the car, and my eyes caught sight of Nico's Benz parked in the garage. My eyes furrowed in a mix of surprise and confusion. He was supposed to still be at work, so what was he doing here?
Checking the time from my Cartier wristwatch, it was just 2 PM. I pushed aside the thought. Maybe he had something to do at home, or perhaps he had a surprise planned out for me as usual. A small smile tugged on my lips despite myself. I imagined the flower bouquet and the romantic lunch that might be waiting for me inside.
I made my way towards the mansion. Reaching the door, I tried to steady the storm brewing inside me. I straightened my dress, squared my shoulders, smacked my lips together, and wore the biggest smile I could manage. I don't want Nico to suspect a thing yet. Not until I can finally tell him.
I pressed the door code, and it's chimed open. I stepped inside the living room. My eyes darted around, but there was no one in sight, not even the workers.
"Babe," I called, my voice echoing through the room.
Silence.
Then I started climbing the stairs. The moment I stepped into the hallway that led to our bedroom, I heard it. A low, sickening sound of moans and skin slapping skin.
Immediately, I went frozen on the spot. My entire body began trembling so much that my purse fell off my hand, and I didn't even bother to pick it.
No… no. This can't be happening. I must have heard wrongly or something. Tears was already forming in my eyes, but I held it in. Nico… "can never do this. Maybe he's watching a movie.
My knees almost buckled, but I forced my feet to move. I took a step forward, another step until I reached our matrimonial bedroom. The door was open, ajar, and i peeped inside.
The scene happening before me ripped the air off my lungs. Nico, my love and my husband of three years, was making out with my elder sister, Isabella, on our matrimonial bed.
Isabella's ass was arched backwards while he was thrusting into her from behind. Her pink painted nails gripping the bedsheets like a lifeline and his hands grabbing her big boobs like it was the only thing keeping him together.
I felt my chest tightening, tears sliding down my cheeks. Nico.... Cheating. They shouldn't even be in the same sentence. He loves me. He cares about me.
I opened my mouth to talk several times, but no words came out. Finally, I regained my voice. "Nico," I called out, my lips trembling.
They turned and looked at me. And instead of remorse or guilt, he had nothing. Just irritation that he has been interrupted and then a devilish smirk spread across his face as he kept thrusting into her.
Isabella had a triumphant smile on her face, moaning louder.
"Nico," I called again, my voice rising with rage as I clenched my dress.
He didn't answer. His thrust became harder, his body shuddering like he was about to have an orgasm. Then, after a while, he pulled out of her.
Isabella collapsed on the bed, breathing heavily and well spent.
He wore his briefs quickly and turned towards me. "Oh Isadora, my barren wife. I had to finish up inside Isabella," he said like it was the most natural thing in the world, and then he started walking towards me.
Really, barren? He has never called me that. And he is the barren one. I wiped off the tears blurring my eyes and looked at him more closely. Was this really Nico? The same man that we've loved each other since college?
"How could you do this, Nico?" I asked, my voice surprisingly firm, and I stepped further into the room. Then my eyes shifted towards Isabella. "And you're my sister, for goodness sake."
"Oh… sister?" She repeated, wrapping the bedspread on her body and getting out of bed. "You are so stupid, Isadora. How come you don't realise how much I have always hated you."
"Hated me?" I repeated, my voice laced with disbelief. "But why?"
"You were always the golden one. The perfect daughter. The one everyone loved. And then you took him, too. The man I have always loved."
"I didn't understand you," I say. "I didn't even know you love Nico. He asked me out, proposed to me…. So how?"
She didn't answer.
Then I turned to Nico, my heart sinking. "You betrayed me, Nico."
"I did not," he fired back, coldly like I was the same woman he kissed goodbye while going to his company this morning. "Isabella just seems to be more promising than you are."
My eyes narrowed in confusion. "What did you mean?"
"At least she can give me what I want. She's already carrying my child."