Chapter 2

My assistant hesitated. "Dr. Fairclough, what should we do?"

I bit back my frustration. "Call the director. I don't have the authority to make that decision."

The director approved it almost instantly, saying the paperwork could be handled later.

A few minutes later, Nelson walked in, dressed in scrubs.

Olivia immediately started whining, laying it on thick.

"Honey, it hurts so much..." she groaned.

It was all an act. In her half-drugged state, she wasn't feeling any pain.

Nelson squeezed her hand like he was the world's most attentive husband.

"Hang in there, sweetheart. Once the baby's born, I'll get you that reward you want."

"I want that limited-edition designer bag..." she pouted.

"Anything you want, just say the word."

Watching them, I felt a cold, empty sensation wash over me. No anger, just pure self-loathing. How had I been so blind, so stupid?

Nelson had been distant for weeks, forgetting my birthday, our anniversary—everything. But I'd convinced myself it was just stress from work.

Anstey, I told myself. Focus. You're a doctor. This is your job. No matter who's on that table, you need to do your duty.

With that thought, I pushed aside all the emotions swirling inside me and picked up the scalpel.

The first incision was clean. Nelson leaned in for a closer look, then immediately fainted.

I didn't even spare him a glance as I moved on to the next layer.

"Nelson! Are you okay?" Olivia screamed, trying to sit up.

My assistant quickly held her down. "Ms. Hilton, please stay still."

Two nurses dragged Nelson into a corner. It was clear what had happened—he'd passed out at the sight of blood.

How touching, I thought, a bitter edge to my thoughts. He's really a caring guy... or at least he pretends to be.

We finally delivered the baby. A tiny, fragile boy, his umbilical cord wrapped tightly around his neck, his skin a sickly shade of purple.

"Is the baby out?" Olivia asked, voice full of anxiety.

"It's a boy," my assistant replied.

She lit up with excitement but then frowned. "Why isn't he crying?"

I didn't answer right away. I calmly cleared the baby's airway and gave his little foot a sharp tap.

Finally, the baby let out a strong cry.

Nelson stirred, trying to sit up, but when he saw the bloodied newborn, he fainted again.

The nurse took the baby's measurements and checked his vitals before showing him to Olivia.

"He's a little weak and will need to be placed in an incubator," the nurse explained.

Olivia immediately snapped, "What? An incubator? Are you trying to scam us for money?"

I couldn't hold my temper anymore.

"Premature babies often need incubators," I said, my voice sharp. "If you don't trust our hospital, feel free to transfer to another one."

Her defiance flared. "Fine! We'll transfer! My husband can afford it. If it weren't for—"

She stopped herself, then muttered under her breath, "Who the hell would come to this crappy hospital anyway?"

I knew exactly what she meant. They were here to avoid being caught. After all, I was the best doctor at the city's top hospital. If they'd gone to one of the city's bigger hospitals, I might've caught on to their affair.

I handed over the post-op details to my team and stepped out for a much-needed breather.

Just as I was about to take a moment for myself, I heard shouting coming from the hallway.

"The baby wasn't even due yet! Why was he born? I'm suing this hospital into the ground!"

I glanced up, and sure enough, it was Nelson's mother, Rosina, causing a scene.