ManyWriters

On the day my spouse delivered a child for her dying former sweetheart, my wife's parents positioned multiple guards outside the birthing suite. Even after the birth, I didn't appear to cause any commotion.
My mother-in-law clutched my wife's hand, exhaling in relief. "Rest easy, Ottilie. We're here to ensure he doesn't come near you."
"Your dad even has people watching the hospital entrance. If he attempts to interfere with you having this baby, we'll alert the authorities!"
Ottilie nodded faintly, but she still instinctively looked towards the lift. Seeing it vacant, she finally eased up.
She struggled to comprehend why I couldn't just back her decision to help her ex-lover leave a legacy.
Observing the crying infant in the nurse's arms, she grinned contentedly. She believed that if I visited her the next day, she would forgive our previous disagreements. She'd even be willing to let me be the child's dad.
However, she was unaware that I had just submitted my application to join Doctors Without Borders.
In a week, I would relinquish my citizenship and become a stateless physician, never to return.

A Husband's Escape

I retrieved the pre-prepared divorce papers from my pocket and tossed them at her feet.


This action had been on my mind since the day I discovered her with Kieran.


Ottilie's complexion drained. She was torn between addressing the crowd with the microphone and grabbing my arm to offer an explanation.


"Jude Wilson, are you so resentful of my happiness? Haven't I made it clear? If you drop this matter, we can continue as a family of three from now on."


Her vision of a trio certainly didn't include me.


"Just put your signature on it. There's nothing left to discuss between us. I hope you find happiness."


"I refuse to sign. I won't agree to divorce you, Jude Wilson. Don't even consider it!"


In truth, when I had consulted the lawyer earlier about drafting the divorce agreement, he suggested I could demand Ottilie leave empty-handed.


Chapter 5