Chapter 1

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.

——————

The day Ottilie was released from the medical facility, I had just finished transferring my duties at the hospital.

As I reached the threshold, I heard laughter from within.

"This infant is gorgeous, with large eyes just like his father's."

My mother-in-law was joyfully playing with the baby in her arms, while Kieran was bringing a hot bowl of chicken broth from the kitchen.

"I prepared this soup myself. Your body is still fragile, you need to eat well to recuperate," he said, sitting beside the bed and gently feeding Ottilie. The scene exuded the warmth of a happy family.

My father-in-law was holding a baby toy, beaming widely. "This child is so charming, just like his dad. It's fortunate he's not Jude's offspring. Having a doctor for a father would be such a burden."

My grip tightened on the doorknob.

I recalled my first meeting with my father-in-law. He had patted my shoulder, saying being a doctor was admirable, that saving lives brought honor to the entire family.

He had told me he was once a doctor too, and if not for an injury caused by an aggressive patient, he wouldn't have retired prematurely.

But now, he was claiming doctors weren't suitable for having families.

I had only been away for a year of advanced training, and this family had already completely excluded me.

I lowered my gaze, a wry smile tugging at my lips.

Ottilie and I had been wed for three years. She had expressed not wanting children, and understanding the risks of childbirth, I didn't push her.

I still remember the day I departed for my studies abroad. She had wept, saying she would miss me terribly.

For the past year, we had communicated daily, sharing our lives. Even my colleagues would tease us, saying we still behaved like newlyweds after three years of marriage.

But just a month ago, when I finally managed to get some time off to come home, despite being exhausted from a long flight, I rushed back without complaint.

Only to discover Ottilie heavily pregnant, standing next to her former love.

My thoughts were interrupted by Kieran's words.

"Jude, when did you arrive? Why are you standing at the entrance?"

Hearing him, the others in the room looked towards the doorway.

When my father-in-law saw the resignation letter in my hand, his brow furrowed deeply.

"How could I have entrusted my daughter to someone like you? What misfortune. Now you're quitting your job, expecting us to support you?"

"Is this how you behave as a husband?" my mother-in-law chimed in accusingly.

"You can't even manage such a good job. What else can you do?"

"Ottilie's health is delicate now. She and the baby need money for everything. If you don't work, are you expecting a family of three to survive on thin air?"

Hearing this, I could only chuckle bitterly.

"Whoever's wife and child they are, it's their responsibility to provide for them."

"Jude Wilson, what are you saying? How can you be so irresponsible?" Ottilie finally couldn't contain herself, shouting at me with teary eyes. Seemingly overcome with emotion, she clutched her chest and began coughing violently.

"If Kieran hadn't rescued me from that car accident three years ago, I might have perished already. His parents are both gone, and now he's been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Soon, there might be no one left in the world to remember him."

"Why do you always have to oppose him? Do you really think I'm that kind of immoral woman?"

Kieran stroked her back soothingly, while turning to me with a pained expression. "Jude, please don't say anymore. I know this is all my fault. I promise I won't appear in your lives again after this. Please don't let me affect your marriage."

I looked at the four people before me, who had clearly already formed a united front against me, and found it increasingly absurd.

So this was what a real family looked like.

Just then, Ottilie suddenly spoke up: "Jude Wilson, my patience has limits too. If you dare to target Kieran again without reason, don't bother returning to this house!"

"If you still want to continue our life together, just keep quiet. At next week's full-month celebration for the baby, I can announce in front of all our relatives and friends that you're the child's father."

Next week?

I glanced at the baby, now asleep in the carrier. Next week, I would be embarking on my journey abroad.

But before I left, I didn't mind giving them an unforgettable surprise.

I nodded, my expression unchanged.

"Fine."