Chapter 7 Unhappy Marriage

• Ethan was unhappy. They had been married for four years, and he had not stopped trying to impregnate her. But he needed a break.
• "Why have you been avoiding me? We need to be intimate, especially now when we're trying to conceive," Sara coaxed.
• This wasn't the time for Ethan to distance himself, especially when she needed him the most.
• "Are you going to force me if I choose to ignore you? I want to sleep, and I don't like being disturbed," Ethan snapped.
• If she kept pestering him, he would leave the room and not return that night. What was the point of wasting his virility on a woman who couldn't conceive?
• Sara said nothing more. She turned her back to him as well, and left him alone. She had been tracking her ovulation so they could make love, who knows, she might be lucky and conceive naturally.
• She had already tried IVF twice, both unsuccessful. She couldn't believe Ethan had changed so much after the last failed attempt.
• She decided to bring it to his mother's attention. Margaret Thompson needed to know what her son had become—a man unwilling to give her a grandchild.
• The next morning, Ethan had his breakfast and seemed more cheerful. He gave Sara a peck on the cheek before leaving for work.
• He seemed to be a different person from the man who yelled at her last night. She had never heard that a man ran away from sex with his wife especially when they wanted to make babies, except Ethan Thompson.
• Sara had made up her mind to go to see Margaret and report her son to her. If Ethan didn't change, she would take the matter to her own mother.
• Her mother had been worried sick about their infertility issues, especially after the second failed IVF.
• Sara got dressed and drove to her mother-in-law's house, relieved to find her at home.
• She was welcomed warmly, and her mother-in-law inquired about her and Ethan's well-being. They seldom communicated by phone and didn't see each other frequently.
• Sara replied that everything was fine except for her recent sleepless nights due to Ethan's behavior. He was no longer interested in being intimate with her.
• Margaret raised her brows, concerned. She trusted that her son wouldn't seek an affair. So why was he avoiding intimacy with Sara?
• She eagerly anticipated becoming a grandmother. But how could that happen if Ethan wasn't intimate with his wife? What kind of son was he becoming?
• Margaret assured Sara that she would speak with her son, and Sara should prepare herself for him that night. He would surely come around.
• Sara smiled gratefully. Her mother-in-law knew just how to influence Ethan and get him to comply.
• She thanked Margaret and returned home, eager for her husband's return and hopeful that this approach would work.
• As soon as Sara left, Margaret called her son and arranged to meet for dinner that afternoon. She would be waiting for him at a certain restaurant, sending him the address.
• **
• Aurora and Rosa got ready, and soon Rosa returned from the office. They both headed to an agency where Christopher was waiting for them.
• When they arrived, he informed them that he had seen the house and was waiting for Aurora to inspect it as well. Initially, he hadn't noticed the lady accompanying Aurora; he had been focused on his friend.
• Aurora examined the house and said she liked it. It was a compact space, suitable for her and her kids. She completed the purchase and signed the necessary paperwork.
• "I'd like you to meet my friend, Rosa, the one I told you about," Aurora introduced, and she did the same for Christopher.
• It was then that Christopher noticed Rosa. He shook hands with her, introducing himself, and Rosa did the same.
• Aurora smiled, pleased with their interaction. Christopher suggested they go for lunch together, and the ladies got into their car.
• Meanwhile, Margaret arrived when Aurora and her friends were seated in the restaurant. Initially, she didn't spot Aurora, but after overhearing nearby conversations, she turned her head and saw them.
• She was shocked to see that the cheerful person among the three was Aurora Blake. Where had she been all these years?
• Ever since Aurora discovering that she and her son were part of the conspiracy, Margaret hadn't seen her.
• Margaret felt uncomfortable at the sight of Aurora. Guilt consumed her, and she wanted to stand up, but just then, her son arrived and took his seat opposite hers.
• She tapped her son and gestured toward where Aurora was seated with her friends.
• Ethan's eyes followed the direction his mother indicated.
• He was taken aback, his hands shaking.
• There was his ex-wife, Aurora Blake, looking happy with her friends. She was engrossed in her meal, using chopsticks, seemingly unaware of the people staring at her.
• The waiter approached to take Ethan and his mother's order, but Ethan became muddle headed after seeing Aurora.
• He had spent months searching for her, to no avail. He had assumed she had either harmed herself or left the country.
• But where was she going to get the money to take a flight out of the country? She was left without a penny and not allowed to take a needle out of the house.
• Yet here she was, looking stunning, elegant, and mature.
• Ethan wondered how she had managed over the past four years.
• He regretted deeply his past actions and mistreatment of her. He had come to realize he loved her, not Sara. But by the time he understood his feelings, she was gone, and he couldn't find her to apologize.
• "Ethan, stop daydreaming," Margaret called her son's attention back to her. He struggled to tear his eyes away from Aurora.
• Turning to his mother, the waiter brought their orders. Ethan found himself once again gazing at Aurora, absentmindedly using his fork to pick at dishes on the table rather than his plate.
• Margaret Thompson was embarrassed and pinched his hand to bring him back to reality. He attempted to eat with the fork but found himself holding empty one, feeling mortified. He resolved to focus on his lunch.
• Meanwhile, Aurora was nearly finished with her meal but observed the budding chemistry between Christopher and Rosa.
• Christopher seemed interested, while Rosa feigned indifference. Aurora hoped for their relationship to blossom. She would be happy if things can work out between these two friends of hers.
• Soon the meal was over and Christopher went over to pay. Aurora said she wanted to buy a car and Rosa agreed with her. She needed a car to conveniently move around with her kids.
• When they stood up, Aurora's gaze met Ethan's, and she quickly averted her eyes. She no longer wanted to recognize anyone from her past, especially those who had caused her pain.
• "Hi, Aurora," Ethan blurted out, unable to stop himself. Aurora glared at him, her friends pausing to look at the stranger addressing her.
• "Hi. Who are you?"