The day my son was born should have been the happiest of my life. Instead, it was the day my entire world fell apart. When my husband, Ethan, finally showed up at the hospital, his words shattered everything I thought I knew.

Ethan and I had been married for 21 years, and for most of that time, we struggled with infertility. The years were marked by hope, heartbreak, and relentless determination. In the beginning, Ethan was supportive, attending doctor’s appointments and holding my hand through treatments. But as the years dragged on, he changed. His late nights at work became more frequent, his phone calls more secretive, and his support turned into indifference.

I convinced myself his behavior was due to the strain of our situation. Infertility tests even the strongest of marriages, I thought. But deep down, something felt off. His murmured conversations—“I’ll call you later”—and quick hang-ups when I entered the room gnawed at me. Still, I chose to ignore the signs, pouring all my energy into one last attempt to have a child.