Chapter 4 THE WAIT FOR A MIRACLE

Years went by, and Rose and Aaron's marriage continued to blossom. However, despite their love and happiness, there was a lingering concern – the absence of children. Rose had always dreamed of being a mother, and as the months turned into years, her worry and sadness grew.

Aaron, sensing his wife's distress, showered her with love and reassurance. "We'll get there, Rose," he'd say. "We just need to be patient." But as the pressure from Aaron's mother mounted, Rose felt like she was drowning in despair.

"A grandchild, Rose, that's all I'm asking for," Aaron's mother would say, her voice laced with a hint of accusation. Rose felt like she was failing, like her body was defective. She prayed fervently, begging God to grant her the gift of motherhood. She tried different fertility treatments, consulted with specialists, and even resorted to traditional remedies.

Despite her best efforts, Rose's arms remained empty. The pain and disappointment were palpable, and Rose couldn't help but wonder if she was being punished for something. She felt like she was losing herself, like the weight of her infertility was crushing her.

Meanwhile, Riley was still struggling to find a better job. She felt like she was stuck in a rut, like her dreams were slipping further and further away. Aaron, sensing his sister-in-law's frustration, offered her words of encouragement. "You're talented and capable, Riley," he'd say. "The right opportunity will come along, just be patient."

But as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months, Riley couldn't help but feel like she was losing hope. She felt like she was watching her life pass her by, like she was stuck on the sidelines while everyone else was moving forward.

As the pressure mounted, Rose and Riley found themselves at a crossroads. Would they find a way to overcome their challenges, or would they remain stuck in their struggles? Only time would tell.

Rose's frustration and desperation had finally taken their toll. She slipped into a deep depression, and her behavior became increasingly erratic. Her mother-in-law's constant pressure for a grandchild had turned Rose into a shadow of her former self.

Aaron, who had always been supportive and encouraging, found himself at a loss. He tried to calm Rose down, to reassure her that everything would be okay, but she was beyond consolation. Her screams and shouts echoed through the house, piercing Aaron's heart like a knife.

One fateful day, Aaron was on a business conference call when Rose's tantrum reached a fever pitch. She was yelling at herself, calling herself barren and useless. Aaron tried to intervene, pleading with her to keep her voice down, but Rose was unstoppable.

As the conference call continued, Aaron's colleagues began to ask if everything was okay. Aaron, trying to maintain a semblance of professionalism, assured them that all was well. But deep down, he was seething with frustration and worry.

Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. He ended the call and stormed into the room where Rose was still shouting. "Rose, stop it!" he thundered, his voice echoing off the walls. "I'm tired of your madness! I'm tired of your constant obsession with having a child!"

Rose's shouting ceased abruptly, replaced by a stunned silence. She looked at Aaron, her eyes wide with shock and hurt. For a moment, the two just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable.

Aaron's outburst had momentarily shocked Rose out of her despair, but it also revealed the depth of his own frustration. He realized that he couldn't keep watching Rose destroy herself, that he needed to find a way to help her heal. But as he looked into her eyes, he wondered if it was already too late.

Aaron's anger and frustration had reached a boiling point. He couldn't watch Rose destroy herself anymore. He took a deep breath and presented her with two options: "Either you ease up on this obsession with having a child, or we explore surrogacy."

Rose was shocked. She had never imagined Aaron would suggest surrogacy. The idea of having another woman carry their child was a daunting prospect, and Rose didn't know if she was ready for it.

Aaron, seeing the shock on Rose's face, turned and walked away, leaving her to ponder the two options. Rose screamed and cried, her eyes pouring out tears as she felt her world crumbling around her.

As she sat amidst her tears, Rose was left with the haunting thought of surrogacy and adoption. Could she really consider having another woman carry her child? Or would adoption be a better option? The questions swirled in her mind, leaving her feeling lost and uncertain.

As the hours passed, Rose's tears slowly dried, but the ache in her heart remained. She knew she had to make a decision, but she was torn between her desire for a child and the uncertainty of surrogacy and adoption.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Rose realized that she couldn't face this decision alone. She needed Aaron's support and guidance, but he had walked away, leaving her to navigate this difficult choice by herself.

With a heavy heart, Rose picked up her phone and dialed Aaron's number, hoping he would answer and help her find a way out of this darkness.

Rose's phone call went straight to voicemail. She waited anxiously for Aaron to call back, but the silence was deafening. As the night wore on, Rose's anxiety turned to worry. Where was Aaron? Why wasn't he answering her calls?

As the hours ticked by, Rose's eyes grew heavy with exhaustion. She had cried herself out, but her heart still ached with sadness. She needed Aaron's comfort and reassurance, but he was nowhere to be found.

The darkness outside seemed to press in on her, making her feel isolated and alone. Rose wondered if Aaron had gone to stay with his mother, or if he had just needed some space. But as the night wore on, Rose's fears grew. Had Aaron left her for good?

She tried calling him again, but his phone was still switched off. Rose felt a cold dread creeping up her spine. What if Aaron had reached his breaking point? What if he couldn't take her obsession with having a child anymore?

As the first light of dawn crept into the room, Rose finally drifted off to sleep, exhausted and emotionally drained. But even in her sleep, she was haunted by the fear that Aaron might be gone for good.