Expired Love

"Jethro Miles was an orphan sponsored by my dad.The moment I laid eyes on him, I flipped.Despite my family's objections, we dated for seven years, even as my dad threatened to disown me.Eventually, my dad relented and consented to our marriage. But as we exchanged rings, a young woman in a white dress burst into the venue, staring at Jethro with tears in her eyes.He chased after her, abandoning our wedding.Later, I learned that the woman was his childhood friend from the orphanage.Jethro desperately tried to explain, "Nancy grew up with me. She is like a sister to me. She's been through abuse and divorce. Please, give me time to help her, okay?"Tears blurred my vision as I watched him plead so fervently, my heart plummeting into despair.I managed, "Okay."Jethro took care of Nancy and her son as if they were his real family.What he didn't know were the two secrets I'd kept from him when my dad finally agreed to our marriage: I was pregnant, and I was dying."