My extraordinary love journey with my younger husband

I was rudely awakened by a sudden splash of icy-cold water while I was sound asleep.

Before I could even open my eyes, the harsh voice of my husband, Brad Collins, pierced the air.

He snarled, "Ava Stanley, you shameless hussy! How dare you flirt with another man right under my nose! And out of all people, it had to be your brother-in-law!"

The hangover made my head throb painfully. What on earth had happened for Brad to say such things?

With all my strength, I finally managed to open my eyes. Brad had already yanked off his slipper and was striking my face with its sole, back and forth.

But he didn't stop there. He moved past me and threw several punches at the man beside me.

A man?

My brother-in-law was lying on my bed, completely unclothed!

My name was Ava. I was a housewife who had been focusing entirely on nurturing my body in hopes of having a child.

I had stayed at home for two years. During those two years, I had tried all kinds of medications, but still couldn't get pregnant.

The doctor told me that given my physical condition, IVF was the only option for me to have a child.

I intended to make an announcement about my decision to resort to high-tech means to have a child at that day's family engagement festivity when everyone was in a jovial mood.

Two hours ago, while we were eating steak, Brad heard my decision, and his hand, which was about to cut the meat, suddenly froze.

He put down his knife and fork then looked at my sister across the table, his left hand slowly turning the wine glass.

My sister, Lainey Roth, quickly pulled her fiancé to his feet, holding a wine glass as she said, "Ava, without your support all these years, I wouldn't be where I am today. For the happiness I have now, the first toast goes to you."

Brad didn't give either a nod or a shake of his head regarding the IVF, which signified that he had tacitly consented to it.

I was overjoyed at the thought that I would finally have my own child. So I got to my feet and readily drank a glass in a show of cooperation.

Just as I was about to sit down, Lainey called out with deep affection, "Brad, I wish you both a speedy arrival of your precious child."

Such a beautiful blessing made me down a second glass with enthusiasm.

After downing two glasses, I was suddenly hit by a wave of dizziness and promptly flung myself forward onto the table.

Just before I closed my eyes, I saw Lainey's fiancé slumping back in his chair.

Lainey had a sinister, triumphant smile on her face. Was this really the sister I remembered?

Three days ago, while I was out grocery shopping, a neighbor lady gave me a cryptic warning, "These days, it's okay to raise a cat, a dog, or even a fox, but never a snake in the grass who'll turn around and bite you."

I asked her what she meant. She winked mysteriously and told me to go home immediately to find out.

I played it safe and refrained from ringing the doorbell. Instead, I retrieved the spare key from the garage and let myself in directly.

The living room was a mess, and Lainey was hurriedly buttoning her shirt as she came out.

I rushed to the master bedroom, but Brad wasn't there.

"Brad? Brad, where are you? Come out."

I shouted as I flung open the wardrobe, checked under the bed, and searched both upstairs and downstairs.

Just when I was under the impression that he might have committed something unforgivable and made a dash through the window to dodge being caught, Brad stepped out of the bathroom with his head all foamy. "What on earth are you hollering about? Weren't you out buying groceries? Why are you back so soon? Where are the groceries?"

I chose not to respond to his questions but instead cast a suspicious look at him. "Didn't you just shower this morning? Why are you showering again?"

Brad explained that he had been in such a hurry during the morning shower that he didn't manage to wash his hair thoroughly.

Lainey held up her phone, saying she had just received a call and needed to rush back to school.

I watched the two of them, growing more suspicious by the minute. Before Lainey could get far away, I grabbed Brad's arm and asked, "Did you and Lainey do something behind my back?"