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Chapter 4
Three days before my departure, I received a message from the hospital director.
He said the cardiology specialist I had requested had just so happened to be attending a forum in the country and was available to see my father-in-law about his coronary heart disease.
My father-in-law's health had always been a concern. He'd had heart surgery years ago, and despite everything, he wasn't in the best shape. Even while I was abroad, I had colleagues gather case studies on his condition, feeling it was the least I could do after all we had been through.
But when I suggested taking him to the hospital, his face darkened instantly.
"Why would I go to the hospital? I'm fine! You trying to jinx me?" he snapped.
I tried to calm him down, "A top cardiologist is in the country. It might be worth seeing him for a check-up, just as a precaution…"
Before I could finish, my father-in-law slammed his water glass down, the sound echoing through the room.
"You and your nonsense," he growled. "You think you can just call up some fancy specialist like you're someone important? Look at Kieran! He stayed up all night to get me an appointment with a specialist. Where were you when I needed you?"
It hit hard. No matter how much I tried, I could never measure up to Kieran. It was clear, no matter what I did, I'd always fall short.
With a tight smile, I said, "If you don't want to go, that's fine."
It seemed I was just making a fool of myself, hoping for something I'd never get.
The day of the baby's full-month celebration came, and I showed up late. The banquet hall was packed with people I barely recognized, and I felt completely out of place. The whole thing was so much grander than our wedding.
At the entrance, a massive family portrait of the five of them was displayed. Meanwhile, I was nothing more than an afterthought.
The moment I walked in, I could feel the weight of their stares. The whispers were loud enough for me to guess what they were saying.
Auntie quickly pulled me aside for some small talk, her tone overly sweet.
"Jude, when did you get back? Ottilie didn't say a word about it!" she said, her eyes glinting. "I heard you were about to be promoted to attending physician at the hospital. That's impressive! Your future was looking so bright."
I didn't say anything. I just nodded, doing my best to keep it polite.
But the disdain was palpable. It was there in the way they looked at me, in the way they whispered behind my back.
After all, I wasn't in the family portrait. And the person by Ottilie's side wasn't me.
Someone near the dessert table, clearly curious, pointed to the man feeding Ottilie and asked, "Jude, who's that? We've never heard about you having a brother."
I offered a faint smile, my voice cold as I replied, "Ottilie's new husband."
The aunts' eyes went wide, and they huddled together in a flurry of whispers.
If Ottilie's family didn't care to maintain appearances, why should I?
Just then, Ottilie grabbed the microphone and went up to the stage, putting on a show for the crowd.
"I'm so happy you all could come to celebrate my son's full-month," she said, her voice dripping with emotion. "Before this, I never thought I could be a mother. I always doubted my ability to be a good mom, but the moment I heard my baby's first cry in the delivery room, I realized just how powerful a mother's love really is."
Her words felt almost rehearsed, like she was convincing herself as much as the crowd.
One of the aunts, never one to stay quiet, called out, "How about the father? Where's the father? He should say a few words too!"
The room went quiet. Everyone turned their eyes between Kieran and me.
The answer was already obvious, but that aunt's comment felt like she was forcing Ottilie to admit the truth herself.
I met Ottilie's gaze, then slowly walked to the stage.
Her face went pale with shock as I took the microphone from her hand.
"What are you doing?" she hissed, grabbing my sleeve in a panic. "Don't say anything crazy, or I won't let you get away with it."
I yanked my arm free, standing tall as I focused on the crowd.
If she had nothing to hide, why was she so afraid?
I cleared my throat and spoke, my voice calm but firm. "First, I want to thank everyone for coming today to celebrate. I'm sure you all remember when Ottilie and I got married. You were there to witness it. And I've carried the memories of your blessings with me. But I'm sure you also saw the family portrait as you walked in today."
Ottilie's face went ashen, and she bolted toward me, trying to snatch the microphone from my hand.
I quickly stepped aside, holding onto the mic like it was my lifeline.
"To be honest, I was just as shocked when I saw it. But what shocked me even more was when I came back from a year of advanced studies to find my wife, who had claimed she couldn't have children, eight months pregnant."
A ripple of gasps filled the room. Ottilie's face twisted with fury, but I wasn't finished.
"This grievance, I can't swallow. This blame, I refuse to bear."
With that, I turned to her, my voice steady as I finally said what I should've said long ago.
"Ottilie Parker, let's get divorced."
Her eyes widened, her jaw dropped, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of peace. The truth was out.