The wedding was already halfway through when I left my wife to help my ex-girlfriend, Vanessa, with breastfeeding issues.

Gripping the hem of her dress tightly, Ashlynn rushed into the hospital and found me assisting Vanessa. My lab coat bore milk stains, and my gloved hand was helping on her chest.

Vanessa’s voice was tremulous. “The baby just can’t latch on, so I needed your help, Connor.”

I froze and turned, ready to leave, but Vanessa playfully tugged at my tie. “The baby should really call you Dad... you remember, that night, it was five times…”

As the door swung open, my eyes took in three things: the disheveled bed, my hand, and the blush on Vanessa’s face.

Both Vanessa and I were caught off guard when Ashlynn walked in. Vanessa hurriedly covered herself, her eyes reddening. “Ashlynn... What are you doing here?”

I was startled too, but my hand remained positioned near Vanessa's chest.

“Didn’t you say there was an emergency surgery?” Ashlynn's voice was as composed as she could manage.

I frowned and stood up, avoiding her gaze. “Vanessa had a blocked milk duct. It was painful, and I just...”

“Just?” Ashlynn laughed bitterly, her voice cracking slightly. “You, the hospital director, playing lactation consultant?”

“I am a doctor, and I have professional ethics.” My voice was steady. “Ashlynn, you're overreacting.”

Tears welled up in Ashlynn’s eyes.

“I’m not overreacting. I’m stunned. My husband, not even through our wedding, and here he is at the hospital with another woman…”

Vanessa interjected softly, “Connor, am I causing you trouble? I’m sorry, I didn’t realize today was your wedding.”

Then she turned to Ashlynn. “Don’t blame Connor, blame me…”

She picked up the basket beside the bed, where a fair-skinned baby was sleeping peacefully.

“Whose child is that?” Ashlynn asked through gritted teeth, seeking confirmation.

Vanessa hesitated, her eyes brimming with tears. “... No father.”

I reached out, blocking Vanessa. “He’s my son.”

Ashlynn was stunned.

“We met once before she left the country. Later, she told me she was pregnant... By then, I was already with you.”

“I know.” Ashlynn rubbed her abdomen, feeling the scar through her dress. “The night of the car accident, you were too drunk to even notice the headlights. I was the one who shielded you.”

“You signed the consent form to remove my uterus, Connor. You married me out of guilt.”

“I care for you,” I protested weakly, yet guilt shone in my eyes.

“And her?” Ashlynn stared at me. “Do you love her?”

I opened my mouth but couldn’t utter a word.

Turning to Vanessa, Ashlynn asked, “You said the baby should call him Dad, meaning you planned this all along, didn’t you?”

Vanessa lowered her eyes, silent for a moment before speaking quietly. “I just thought he had the right to know... But since you’re married, I won’t interfere anymore. Ashlynn, I truly envy you... at least you can love him openly.”

With that, she shook off my hand, scooped up her child, and left.

I turned to follow her, but Ashlynn held me back, her voice hoarse. “Today is our wedding day.”

I gently pried her fingers off me, impatience in my eyes. “The child is innocent.”

“But I can’t have children anymore! You know that!” She practically shouted.

I stopped, but only replied coolly, “This isn’t about whether you can have children. He’s my son, and I have responsibilities.”

Ashlynn stood there, speechless. When she finally left the exam room, she saw down the corridor.

I was holding Vanessa, wiping her tears and cradling the child in my arms. We... looked like a real family.

Ashlynn’s hands clenched at her sides, then released.

Her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen:

“Visa approved, please confirm your travel within a week.”

She stared at those words for a long time.

This wedding was the last chance I was giving us. But he didn’t cherish it.

Connor didn't come home last night, and as I turned off my screen, I couldn't help but laugh at myself for still clinging to hope.

Before we got married, he once said Vanessa's name in his sleep.

Back then, I thought about leaving, but the usually stoic Connor broke down when he heard I was considering it.

He admitted Vanessa had a place in his heart, but claimed it was just a small infatuation.

Then he proposed, promising that from then on, his heart would be completely mine.

And I believed him.

The wedding dress hanging in the closet felt like the cruelest joke.

I started packing my bags.

One week. I planned to use this time to finish up my work, say proper goodbyes to Connor's family, and leave with dignity.

At seven in the morning, Connor returned.

He looked exhausted, and when he saw me packing, he barely reacted.

“Ashlynn,” he said.

“Where are you going?”

I didn’t reply, just zipped up the last suitcase.

He suddenly grabbed my wrist.

“Are you still upset? Last night I...”

“No. I just need to get away for a few days,” I interrupted, heading for the door.

He stepped in front of me, blocking the exit with his long legs.

“You're not the kind of person who holds grudges.”

I met his gaze, my voice steady.

“True, I'm not. I'm just tired.”

He studied me, frustration etching his brow, and finally sighed.

“Maybe it’s good for you to get some fresh air. I'll take care of things at home and at the hospital.”

I said nothing, slipped past him, and left.

By ten, I was standing at his family’s doorstep, feeling uneasy.

I remembered when I was in the hospital after surgery, and Melany, my mother-in-law, worried about me, knowing my parents were far away. She stayed by my side every night, making various nourishing stews.

She cried, “It’s Connor’s fault, but from now on, you are my daughter.”

Because of that, I already saw her as family.

Leaving her was the hardest part.

But just as I was about to knock, I heard familiar laughter coming from the slightly open door.

It was Melany.

...And Vanessa.

“Auntie, I never thought this child would become part of the family,” Vanessa said.

Melany's voice was kind: “You've done well raising your little one alone. This child looks just like Connor when he was young.”

“Don’t worry, this child will be the center of our family's attention. I plan to transfer this house to you and your daughter,” Melany said.

I froze in place, the gift box I had brought for Melany making a noise as it hit the door.

Melany opened the door, her expression changing instantly, but she quickly forced a smile.

“Ashlynn’s here…”

Vanessa stood, holding her baby, who was soft and pale, with clear, innocent eyes.

I wanted to look away, but I couldn't help but take a few more glances.

I really... love children.

I always felt a surge of warmth when wrapping newborns in the hospital, feeling unlike myself.

Later, I even looked into the adoption process...

I steadied my voice and spoke slowly.

“Yes, I came to see you. I’m going on a business trip soon, so I’ll have less time to visit you after that.”

She hesitated, then nodded quickly.

“That’s good. At your age, it’s the perfect time to focus on your career.”

Her words “that’s good” pushed me further away.

She used to always insist that Connor and I stay together, unwilling to let me leave him.

She said that without me, her home wouldn't be complete.

Now, my leaving was “that’s good.”

Vanessa kissed her child’s forehead, her eyes full of warmth.

And I stood there, suddenly unable to say any of the farewells I had prepared.

The next day, I headed back to the hospital and spotted Vanessa Castillo in her white lab coat. Connor King tapped her on the shoulder and introduced her to me.

“Ashlynn, Vanessa’s back, and I’d like you to show her the ropes from now on.”

I nodded, deciding not to say much else. But Vanessa quickly started offloading her workload onto me.

First day back, she called in sick. The second day, she handed her surgery case to me. By the third day, she asked me to cover her shift because Maggie had been crying all night...

I did five surgeries back-to-back, barely keeping it together, and finally asked for some time off.

Connor turned down my request. “Ashlynn, her situation is tricky. Please support her.”

I glanced at the overcrowded emergency room, forcing a smile and nodding. All right, I’ll help. I’ll give it my all.

I helped until I didn’t even get a chance to grab a bite to eat, helped until I was crouched on the emergency staircase at night, sick to my stomach, while the world spun around me.

Eventually, I fell ill. A fever of 102 degrees, my stomach felt like it was being twisted by knives, and breathing hurt.

While dragging myself to another department to get medication, I bumped into Vanessa.

She looked vibrant and full of life. Upon seeing me, she handed me the baby bottle she was holding.

“Ashlynn, I was just looking for you. The staff told me you’re great at preparing baby formula. Maggie’s been crying for her dad all day, but you know Connor, he’s up to his ears in work. So, I hoped you could help me...”

I returned the bottle, a painful throb pounding through my temples.

“I’m not feeling well.”

Seeing me brush her off in front of others, her eyes instantly welled up with tears. “If you don’t like kids, you can just say so... There’s no need for excuses.”

Connor appeared behind me at that moment.

With Maggie crying at the top of her lungs, his brow furrowed. His first words weren’t about my constant overtime but rather a cold reprimand.

“Vanessa is still getting back on her feet; couldn’t you just lend a hand?”

My heart sank. “I have a fever, 102 degrees.”

He paused, touched my forehead.

“Go home and rest. I’ll bring you your medication later.”

Vanessa spoke softly, "I'm sorry. I panicked because the baby was upset, and maybe Ashlynn isn't a fan of kids. I won't ask for her help again..."

Connor sighed, picking up Maggie to calm her down. “A fever doesn’t warrant giving attitude. You’ve scared the baby.”

I clenched my fists tightly, nails digging into my palms, keeping myself from losing control right there.

That night, in a feverish haze, I got a call from my mother-in-law.

“Ashlynn, Maggie... she’s a King family child. You shouldn’t take out your frustrations on her.”

The fog in my fevered mind cleared instantly, leaving my heart in icy pieces.

“I didn’t.”

“Vanessa said you let Maggie cry all night... We’re not taking sides, but since you can’t have children, you should try to be more open-hearted.”

Hanging up, the scar on my abdomen throbbed, tears silently falling.

Connor entered then, removing the fever patch from my forehead, adjusting the blanket.

It’s always this way, his care hovering just above the surface.

Yet even if it’s only at the surface, he never sees my tears.

In two days, I would be gone.