The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 378

The honeymoon phase… As someone on her second marriage, this was the first time Vivica had ever felt the joy and happiness associated with the term. When she married Fletcher, it wasn't out of deep love. They were both at that age, he proposed, and she accepted.

Shortly after the wedding, his mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and her dying wish was to see a grandchild. That was when Fletcher revealed his infertility. At his desperate pleading, Vivica began the painful journey of IVF. Her entire marriage to him had been a relentless cycle of sacrifice, giving, and suffering.

Whenever she felt that her marriage wasn't what she had imagined, that something was wrong, her own mother, Evelyn, would start in with her usual brainwashing.

“Marriage is like this for everyone; it’s always messy.”

“For thousands of years, women have put their families first. Men work, women manage the home.”

“It’s a daughter-in-law’s duty to serve her in-laws. Otherwise, people will talk.”

Vivica was an educated woman with a modern consciousness, but she had been indoctrinated with so many outdated, traditional values by her parents growing up. So, even though she knew Evelyn was wrong, one look at her young son and her sick mother-in-law, and she couldn't bring herself to rebel.

Looking back now, she was actually grateful for Fletcher’s affair. If that hadn’t been the final straw, she would probably still be struggling in the quicksand of that marriage. But now, she had escaped the mire and risen from the ashes. Although her son's illness was not yet cured, her life was finally full of hope and promise.

The car was quiet. The warm winter sun streamed through the window, casting a golden glow over everything.

While waiting at a red light, Joseph glanced in the rearview mirror and saw her gazing out the window, her face bathed in sunlight. The light seemed to coat her skin in liquid gold, and for a couple of seconds, he was mesmerized. A sense of accomplishment washed over him. He could see that this flower, which had been on the verge of wilting, was slowly reviving under his care, beginning to bloom once more.

“The holidays are coming up. Any plans?” Joseph asked suddenly as the car started moving again.

Vivica snapped out of her thoughts and turned to look at his profile. “I haven’t thought about it. What about you?”

In previous years, she had always been dragged along with Fletcher to visit relatives. She also had to go back to her parents' house to help Evelyn and be a showpiece for Zebulon and Evelyn when they had guests. This year, none of that was necessary. However, the Baird family was much larger. If they had to visit relatives, it would surely be even busier.

“I usually travel to relax. This year… with Chaim’s condition, I don’t think we’ll be able to go anywhere.”

Vivica was curious. “You travel during the holidays? You don’t do the whole extended family holiday tour?”

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