Chapter 1
On the day my husband’s dying first love gave birth to his child, my in–laws stationed ten security guards outside the delivery room to prevent me from causing a scene.
My husband hovered anxiously by her side during labor, tenderly wiping sweat from her brow:]
“Don’t worry, I’ve got men guarding the hospital entrance. If Nora dares show her face, they’ll throw her out immediately!“[]
But I never showed up, not even after her child was born.
Looking at the wailing infant in the nurse’s arms, he smiled with satisfaction.
He thought that if I apologized to his first love tomorrow, he might forgive our previous arguments and might even graciously allow me to be the
child’s mother.
But what he didn’t know was that I had just submitted my application to the United Nations.[]
In one week, I would renounce my citizenship to become a borderless doctor, never to see him again in this lifetime.]]
The day Griffin escorted his first love Ava from the maternity center, I had just completed my hospital transfer paperwork.[]
As I approached the door, I heard joyful voices from inside.[]
“This baby is absolutely beautiful! Those thick eyebrows are identical to our Griffin’s. Ava, you’ve truly blessed our family!“[]
My mother–in–law was cooing over the infant while Griffin carried a steaming bowl of soup from the kitchen.[]
“Ava, you’ve been through so much. I made this bone broth specially for you. You need to rebuild your strength.”
He sat beside her on the bed, tenderly feeding her the soup. They looked like the perfect family.
My father–in–law was shaking a rattle at the baby, beaming with happiness.[]
“This little one is as charming as his mother. Thank goodness he doesn’t take after that cold fish Nora. Having a doctor for a mother would have been such a burden.”
My hand tightened around the doorknob.[]
I remembered the first time I met my father–in–law, how he proudly patted my shoulder, declaring how honored he was to have a doctor for a daughter–in–law.
But now he was openly saying doctors weren’t fit to have families.
I’d only been away for a year of advanced training, and already there was no place for me in this home.
I lowered my head, a bitter smile twisting my lips.]
Griffin and I had been married for three years. We once had a child of our own.]
But after an accident, I lost our baby and suffered uterine damage that left me permanently unable to conceive.[]
When I learned this news, I was devastated. Griffin had held me close, promising he would only ever want children with me.]
For my sake, he even chose to be childfree by choice.]
Yet here he was, breaking his promise to fulfill his first love’s dying wish, shattering the principles he once claimed to live by.
I still remember the day I left for my fellowship abroad. He’d cried like a child, holding me tight, reluctant to let go.
For that entire year, we called each other daily to share our lives. Even my colleagues teased us for still acting like lovesick teenagers after three years‘ marriage.
Chapter 1
But just a month ago, I finally managed to get time off to come home.[]
Despite an exhausting nine hour flight, I didn’t complain once. I rushed home only to find Griffin walking hand in hand with Ava in our neighborhood–Ava sporting a very pregnant belly.
My thoughts were interrupted by Ava’s voice.[]
“Nora? When did you get back? Why are you standing in the doorway?“]
Hearing her words, everyone inside turned toward the entrance.]
When my mother in law spotted the resignation letter in my hand, her brow furrowed deeply.]
“Why did I ever let Griffin marry such a jinx? Quitting your job–planning to laze around and let Griffin support you?“[]
My father in law joined in the criticism.]
“You can’t even keep your golden career, what are you good for? If I’d known you were this useless, I’d never have let you into our family!“]
“Ava’s health is delicate, and she and the baby need financial support. Instead of helping Griffin with the burden, you’re just making things worse. What kind of wife are you?“]
J
I could only laugh bitterly at their words.[]
“Then what about Griffin? Getting another woman pregnant while I was away–what kind of husband is that?“]
“Enough, Nora! I’m doing this for your benefit too,” Griffin snapped, his eyes cold as ice.[]
“You can’t have children, so I’m letting Ava give you one. I’m trying to help you experience motherhood! Why can’t you understand my good intentions?”
“And this is a perfect solution for everyone. It fulfills Ava’s wish before she passes, and you get to be a mother without any pain. I don’t understand why you’re so angry!“]
“If Ava hadn’t saved me in that car accident two years ago, I’d be dead. She’s an orphan diagnosed with terminal cancer. In a little while, no one will remember she existed.“[]
“As a woman, shouldn’t you sympathize with her instead of attacking her? Or do you really think I’m that despicable?“[]
Ava grabbed Griffin’s hand with a pained expression, then turned to me.]
“Nora, please say no more. I know this is all my fault. I promise I’ll disappear from your lives after this, but please don’t let me damage your marriage, okay?”
Looking at the four of them united against me, I found the situation darkly amusing.
So this was what a real family looked like.[]
Just then, Griffin suddenly spoke up:[]
“Nora, my patience has limits. If you continue to attack Ava without reason, don’t blame me for the consequences!”
“If you want to continue our marriage, keep quiet. At next week’s one–month celebration, I’ll publicly acknowledge you as the child’s mother in front of friends and relatives.”
Next week?
I glanced at the sleeping infant in the stroller
By next week, I’d be on my way abroad.
But before leaving. I didn’t mind giving them a farewell surprise they’d never forget.]
