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.