One Pretend Husband, One Real One

My husband, Malcolm Thorpe, has low sperm motility. After 33 rounds of IVF, I finally got pregnant.

On delivery day, I start hemorrhaging, and the medical team calls for an emergency C-section. Malcolm signs the consent form, then rushes straight back to his childhood sweetheart's birthday party.

But instead of starting the C-section, the surgeon says, "Ms. Jacobson, the electronic medical record lists you as single. This consent form isn't valid."

I stop breathing for a beat. The happy marriage I believe in turns out to be a sham.

Later, Mom and Dad rush in and sign the consent for me. But by then, the baby is gone. The asphyxia lasted too long.

After surgery, I scrawl my name on the cremation consent with shaking hands, then dial a number without thinking.

"Samuel, are you free now? Meet me in front of City Hall."

After we signed the marriage papers, Samuel Fowler still looked a little stunned.

"Gigi… did you really marry me?" He stood there, empty-eyed.

I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my mouth until it tugged at my stitches, and pain pricked my brow.

Samuel rushed me back to the hospital and pressed a careful kiss to my forehead.

"I have to head out of town for some work. Get some rest, and I'll come back for you," he said.

I had hauled my post-op, shaky body down to City Hall to marry Samuel. By the time it was over, I was spent. Slowly, I drifted off without meaning to.

Through the haze, I caught Malcolm Thorpe talking to a friend.

"Giselle almost died!" his friend said. "Aren't you going to switch the marriage info back in the electronic medical record?"

"Give it a little time. Ashley's critically ill, and her only wish is to marry me."

"But if Giselle learns the truth, she could leave you anytime!"

"How would she? She's been through hell for me. How could she possibly walk away?"

When I finally woke, I opened my eyes to Malcolm's face, tight with worry.

"Gigi, you're awake! The maid made chicken noodle soup. You should have it while it's warm."

The care in his voice almost made me believe I'd imagined what I'd heard before.

I went straight to the point. "Malcolm, why does the electronic medical record list me as single?"

He went still before saying, "Maybe the hospital's system hasn't been updated yet. Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it. I'm sorry—I should've stayed with you."

My stomach dropped when I caught that quick flash of panic in his eyes.

"Yeah. It sounds like their system could use an update," I said, easy as air.

Malcolm exhaled and, with unhurried care, ladled chicken noodle soup into a bowl for me. "Don't overthink it. By the way, how's our baby?"

Our baby?

I froze. Had no one told him the baby was gone? Then again, it made sense. Malcolm wasn't my legal spouse. Of course, no one would inform