Wife Bears Child for First Love, I Awaken, Join MSF Forever, Now She Regrets

Chapter 1

The day Ottilie was discharged from the nursing home, I had just finished wrapping up my shift at the hospital.

As I stepped toward the door, I heard laughter coming from inside.

"This baby's beautiful, with those big eyes just like his father."

My mother-in-law was beaming, playing with the baby in her arms, while Kieran came out of the kitchen holding a steaming bowl of chicken soup.

"I made this myself. You're still weak, you need to eat well to get your strength back," he said, sitting beside Ottilie and gently feeding her. The scene was straight out of a happy family sitcom.

My father-in-law, grinning like a Cheshire cat, was holding a rattle. "This little one's a cutie, just like his father. Good thing he's not Jude's kid. A doctor for a dad? That'd be too much pressure."

My hand tightened around the doorknob.

I remembered the first time I met my father-in-law. He'd slapped me on the back, saying how great being a doctor was, how saving lives brought honor to the family.

He'd told me he was a doctor once, too, until an injury from a violent patient forced him to retire early.

But now, he was saying doctors couldn't have families.

I'd been away for just one year, doing advanced studies, and in that time, this family had completely shut me out.

I dropped my head, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.

Ottilie and I had been married for three years. She'd told me she didn't want kids, and I respected that, understanding the risks of childbirth.

I still remember the day I left for my studies. She cried, saying how much she would miss me.

For the past year, we'd talked every single day, sharing our lives. Even my coworkers teased us, saying we still acted like newlyweds after three years.

But then, a month ago, when I finally managed to get time off and came home, exhausted after an eight-hour flight, I rushed back without a second thought.

Only to find Ottilie, heavily pregnant, standing next to her first love.

My thoughts were broken by Kieran's voice.

"Jude, when did you get back? Why are you just standing there?"

The others in the room turned to look at me, and when my father-in-law saw the resignation letter in my hand, his face darkened.

"How could I have trusted my daughter to someone like you?" he sneered. "What bad luck. Now you're quitting your job, and you expect us to support you?"

"Is this really how you act as a husband?" my mother-in-law added, her tone harsh.

"You couldn't even keep such a good job. What are you gonna do now?"

"Ottilie's health is fragile right now. She and the baby will need money for everything. If you're not working, do you expect a family of three to live on nothing?"

I couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

"Whoever's wife and kid they are, it's their responsibility to take care of them."

"Ottilie, don't listen to him!" Ottilie snapped, her eyes flashing with anger. She grabbed her chest and started coughing violently.

"If Kieran hadn't saved me from that car accident three years ago, I might not even be here right now. His parents are gone, and now he's been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Soon, there might be no one left to remember him."

"Why do you always have to be so against him? Do you really think I'm that kind of woman? Dirty, immoral?"

Kieran rubbed her back soothingly, turning to me with a pained look. "Jude, please. Don't say anything more. I know this is all my fault. I swear I won't get in the way of your life again after this. Please don't let me ruin your marriage."

I looked at the four of them, standing united against me, and it felt almost comical.

So this is what a real family looked like.

Then Ottilie spoke again, her voice steely: "Jude Wilson, my patience has limits, too. If you go after Kieran again for no reason, don't bother coming back to this house."

"If you still want to try to make this marriage work, just keep quiet. Next week, at the full-month celebration, I'll announce in front of everyone that you're the baby's father."

Next week?

I glanced at the baby, peacefully asleep in the carrier. Next week, I'd be leaving for my journey abroad.

But before I left, I didn't mind giving them a little surprise they'd never forget.

I nodded, my expression cold, unaffected.

"Fine."