How much did my husband used to love me?

Seriously, the guy proposed like, ninety-nine times just to get me to say yes.

It wasn't until the hundredth time that I finally cracked.

I became the envy of everyone in Chicago as Mrs. Frank.

On our wedding day, I gave him ninety-nine "Get Out of the Doghouse" cards.

We agreed that as long as those cards weren't all used up, I'd stick around.

Five years into our marriage, every time he ran off to be with his precious Emily, he'd use one up.

When he was down to card number ninety-seven, Frank suddenly realized I was changing.

I stopped with the crying, the begging for him to stay.

I just quietly asked him, when he was losing it over his ditzy secretary, "If you go be with her, can I use a card?"

He blinked, a rare moment of guilt flashing across his face.

"Sure, whatever, you've only used like, sixty-something. Knock yourself out."

I just nodded, letting him go.

What he didn't know was that it was actually his ninety-seventh card.

And we only had two left.

Five years in, and Frank and I still didn’t have any kids.

Tonight was the celebration for Frank Industries landing that downtown project.

It was also the ninth day of us trying to get pregnant, as we had planned.

But when Frank's little airhead secretary knocked over the champagne tower, drenching the client, his first move was to shield her.

Then, without hesitation, he pointed at me.

"Ashley, apologize to Mr. Thompson."

I froze, totally stunned.

The client frowned, pointing angrily at Jessica.

"Mr. Frank, this young lady is the one who made the mistake. I want her to apologize."

Jessica’s eyes welled up. She tugged at Frank's sleeve like she was about to cry.

Frank patted her hand gently, then completely ignored everyone else and looked at me.

"What are you waiting for? Go toast Mr. Thompson and apologize."

"One drink isn't enough, make it two. If two isn’t enough, make it three. You need to make sure he isn’t angry."

He forgot that we were trying for a baby.

Or maybe he just didn’t care.

People started whispering, giving me these pitying looks.

Everyone knew it wasn’t my fault.

Everyone could see that Frank was dead set on protecting Jessica.

I wanted to say no, but Frank seemed to anticipate it, mouthing something to me.

["Doghouse Card."]

Frank had proposed to me ninety-nine times to get me to marry him, and I turned him down ninety-nine times.

I thought he would give up. But on the hundredth time, Frank brought all my family and friends and swore in public.

"Ashley, I will only love you in this lifetime. If you don't agree I will continue to beg, until you agree to marry me."

I was touched by his love for me and agreed.

To return the favor, I specially customized 99 reconciliation coupons on the night of our wedding.

The agreement was that as long as these reconciliation coupons were not used up, we would never be separated.

For the first three years, Frank cherished them and didn't use a single one.

Until Jessica appeared, in just two years, he used 96.

Now, it was the 97th.

My fingers tightened around the glass, turning white as I forced a smile and walked over to the client.

"Mr. Thompson, my apologies."

The client sighed, telling me to just take a sip.

But I forced a smile and drank the whole glass of wine.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Frank affectionately flicking Jessica's nose, his voice all soft.

"Silly girl, don't run so fast next time. What if you get hurt?"

Jessica grabbed his hand, her eyes sparkling.

"Okay, boss. You're the best."

Yeah, real good to you.

The wine burned going down, making my eyes water.

It's okay.

I told myself.

There's only two left.