Chapter 1
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.