They say you should do anything for family. But no one warned me that might include being tricked into carrying your husband’s ex-girlfriend’s baby.
It started with an ominous “family meeting” at my mother-in-law’s house. James’ brother Matt announced his engagement to some elusive wildlife photographer in Ethiopia who couldn’t have children. Then came the ask: would I be their surrogate? The frozen embryos were ready, they said. They just needed my womb.
Despite every instinct screaming no, I agreed. The pregnancy was brutal, made worse by the complete absence of this supposed fiancée. Not one call, email, or letter. Just vague excuses about remote locations whenever I asked.
Then came delivery day and the ultimate betrayal. As I lay exhausted from labor, in walked Rachel – James’ college sweetheart and the woman I’d banned him from contacting years ago. The pieces fell into place: there was no Ethiopian fiancée. This was Rachel’s baby all along, and my husband had conspired with his family to use me as their surrogate.
The divorce was the easiest decision I ever made. I took James for everything – the house, our savings, full custody of our kids. His tearful apologies meant nothing after such an enormous deception. Some lines, once crossed, can never be uncrossed. And tricking your wife into carrying your ex’s baby? That’s not just a line – that’s a canyon.
