Chapter 3

Too much had happened today.

The overwhelming absurdity made my stomach churn, and I threw up violently in the bathroom.

In my dazed state, I made a phone call.

"Send me the marriage certificate from the study cabinet."

"And tell my dad that Natalie cheated. I want him to withdraw all financial support for Natalie starting now."

According to the schedule, I was in charge of rounds next.

I forced myself to gather my energy and picked up the record sheet.

Standing at the door looking through the glass, I saw Natalie and Ethan squeezed together on a small single bed.

She nestled in Ethan's arms, one hand gently patting his back, dark circles under her eyes from staying up all night.

Even though I'd completely given up hope, seeing this scene still made my heart ache uncontrollably.

The knock made Natalie's eyes fly open.

I put on my mask properly and pushed the door open.

Though it was a hospital room, it was decorated warmly inside.

The table was piled with maternity and baby supplies, from large to small, everything one could need.

Without exception, they all came from my heartfelt recommendations.

The night before she left on her business trip, Natalie suddenly shook me awake in the middle of the night.

"Adrian, you're an obstetrician. Can you tell me what things you need to prepare for childbirth?"

I squinted, somewhat confused.

"Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Natalie answered hesitantly, saying a colleague's baby was about to be born and had asked her to consult me.

Having just finished a thirty-six-hour shift, I was so exhausted I was practically delirious.

The next second, Natalie suddenly sat up and turned on all the lights in the house, dragging me out of bed.

"Adrian, write it all down quickly."

She forcefully shoved a pen into my hand, then viciously pinched the softest flesh on the inside of my arm.

The overwhelming pain instantly jolted me awake.

I worked on that list until daylight broke outside.

Before leaving, Natalie carefully tucked it into a hidden pocket in her clothes, but when she turned around, she didn't even say thank you.

Suppressing my emotions, I walked to the bedside for routine questioning.

"How are you feeling today?"

Ethan held Natalie's hand, his voice gentle.

"Natalie's feeling much better now. Yesterday was so dangerous—we really have Dr. Smith to thank for that. I haven't even had a chance to say thank you yet."

"I had the factory rush-make a trophy. I hope Dr. Smith won't mind."

I smiled, but my eyes fell on their intertwined hands.

On Natalie's previously bare finger was now a ring matching Ethan's uniquely designed one.

Noticing my gaze, Ethan turned the ring and explained, happiness radiating from his voice.

"My wife designed this herself. There are only two like it in the world."

"It's a bit ugly, but I love it."

I quickly lowered my gaze, hiding the tumultuous emotions in my eyes.

The day after our wedding, Natalie removed the wedding ring I'd specifically commissioned from a French designer.

I watched her seal it in a box and shove it into the deepest part of a drawer, never to see daylight again.

"Why aren't you wearing it?"

She frowned and shook her head.

"It's too valuable. What if I lose it? That would be such a waste."

I said nothing more, just silently removed my own ring and casually tossed it on the nightstand.

When at home, Natalie's ring finger had always remained bare.

Now it was firmly encircled by a band.

It turned out that in front of me, she couldn't even be bothered to pretend.