Chapter 3

I had just set down my bags when I decided to venture out for a meal. To my surprise, I encountered Ottilie and Kieran along with my wife's parents.

Kieran sported a pricey, tailor-made Armani ensemble, exuding vitality - a stark contrast to someone supposedly on death's door.

"Jude, I thought I glimpsed you earlier, but Ottilie was certain you couldn't be in this vicinity," he remarked.

His eyes landed on the job advertisement in my grasp, and he grinned with understanding.

"Ah, seeking employment, are you? But given your delicate physique, isn't construction work a bit too strenuous?"

I remained silent. A young girl had handed me the flyer on the street. Seeing her distributing them in the chilly weather, I had accepted one out of courtesy.

Noticing my continued silence as I clutched the flyer, Kieran smirked arrogantly.

"You should have mentioned your job search earlier. Perhaps I could have lent a hand. We're family now, after all. Your success would provide Ottilie with support in her later years, easing my mind."

My lack of response at this point was as good as an admission.

Ottilie, who had appeared puzzled, suddenly changed her demeanor.

She scowled deeply, her eyes filled with disdain as she regarded me.

"What's there to recommend? He voluntarily left his respectable position as a doctor. Even if he ends up destitute, he deserves no sympathy."

"Jude Wilson, you truly lack any sense of responsibility. Do you believe this will compel me to give up the baby?"

I gazed at her familiar countenance, yet it felt completely unfamiliar now.

I recalled when we first wed, there was a time I considered leaving due to workplace rivalry at the hospital and changing professions.

Ottilie had embraced me then, gently patting my back and whispering:

"We're in this together. Whatever choice you make, I'll stand by you."

"Quitting isn't the end of the world. I believe true talent always shines through. I'll always be here for you, darling."

Yet the person who promised to always be by my side was now allowing another man to belittle me.

She had forgotten her previous words, and it seemed she had also forgotten the deep affection she once held for me.

Even my in-laws were shaking their heads in disapproval.

"I was truly misguided before, actually considering entrusting my daughter's future happiness to you!"

"Thank goodness we're still around. Who knows how you'd mistreat our daughter if we weren't here."

Their words grew increasingly exaggerated. Passersby began casting curious glances our way.

I slowly balled my fists at my sides.

Just as I was about to speak, Kieran suddenly stepped forward.

"We were just heading to take a family portrait. Why don't you join us, Jude? After all, I'll be relying on you to care for Ottilie and the child for the rest of their lives."

Ottilie promptly interrupted him, scoffing coldly.

"Look at his disheveled appearance. He'd only diminish the quality of our family photo."

With that, she turned towards the photo studio, not forgetting to urge Kieran to follow along.

Three days before my departure, I received a message from the hospital director.

He informed me that the specialist I had asked him to contact was coincidentally attending a conference in the country and could examine my father-in-law's coronary heart condition.

My father-in-law's heart had never been robust, and he had been rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment years ago.

So during my studies abroad, I had also asked colleagues to help me gather relevant case studies.

Regardless of past events, years of family ties still existed. After doing this, I would have no further obligations to them.

However, when my father-in-law heard I wanted to take him to the hospital, his expression immediately soured.

"Why visit the hospital when I'm in perfect health? Are you trying to jinx me? My previous heart bypass surgery was successful, what's there to check?"

"A leading cardiologist happens to be in the country today. You could have a check-up, perhaps for some preventive measures for the future..."

Before I could finish, my father-in-law hurled his water glass at me.

"You and your fancy words. Do you think a top specialist is someone an unemployed nobody like you can just arrange an appointment with? All you do is boast! Look at Kieran, he stayed up all night to secure me an appointment with a specialist. Where were you then?"

He continued comparing me unfavorably to Kieran, his attitude making everything clear.

So no matter what I did, it was wrong. No matter how I did it, I couldn't measure up to Kieran.