Chapter 4
Three days before my departure, I received a message from the hospital director.
The specialist I’d asked him to contact was currently in the country for a conference and could examine my mother–in–law’s asthma.
My mother–in–law had suffered from asthma for years. Though it was under control, she still experienced occasional flare–ups, even requiring emergency hospitalization in the past.
So during my fellowship abroad, I’d asked colleagues to collect relevant case studies for me. e.
No matter what, years of family bonds still meant something. After this final gesture, we’d be completely even–no debts between us.]
But when I told my mother–in–law I wanted to take her to the hospital, her expression immediately soured.[]
“Why would I go to the hospital when nothing’s wrong? Are you cursing me because I criticized you?”
“How can you be so vindictive? My recent physical showed I’m perfectly healthy. There’s nothing to check.”
“There’s a top asthma specialist visiting the country today. You could see him, just as a
e.0
Before I could finish, my mother–in–law threw a glass of water at me.
follow–up…”
“That sounds nice, but how could an unemployed nobody like you get an appointment with a top specialist? Always lying! Look at Ava staying up all night to get me specialist appointments. Where were you then?”
She constantly compared me unfavorably to Ava, making her stance perfectly clear.[]
No matter what I did, I was wrong. No matter how I tried, I couldn’t measure up to Ava.
As this realization sank in, I could only smile bitterly.
“If you don’t want to go, that’s fine.”
I’d just been meddling, foolishly offering help where it wasn’t wanted.]]
Soon, the day of the baby’s one–month celebration arrived.[]
I arrived fashionably late to find the banquet hall packed with relatives whose names I barely remembered. For a moment, I felt disoriented.
The event was more lavish than my wedding to Griffin had been.]]
At the entrance to the hall even hung a large family portrait of the five of them.
As for me, I was nothing but a joke.
The relatives spotted me and immediately began whispering among themselves. I could guess what they were saying without hearing a word.
Soon, Griffin’s aunt Meredith pulled me aside for some forced small talk.[]
“Nora, honey! When did you get back? Griffin never mentioned it! And when did you two have a baby? What a surprise
“I heard you’re getting promoted to Chief Physician after your fellowship abroad. Your career is really taking off”
I didn’t respond beyond a polite nod, but I could see the disdain in her eyes.
It was obvious–I wasn’t in the family portrait and wasn’t at Griffin’s side during the celebration.[]
Some busybody pointed toward Ava, who was feeding Griffin dessert across the room.]
“Nora, who’s that woman over there?“]
1 smiled thinly
“Griffin’s new wife.”
The nosy aunties eavesdropping nearby instantly widened their eyes in shock, then huddled together to whisper frantically among themselves
Since Griffin and his family didn’t care about appearances, why should I help them save facer]
Just then, Griffin took the microphone and stepped onto the stage.
“Thank you all for coming to my son’s celebration today.”
“Before this, I never imagined becoming a father. And I doubted my ability to fulfill such a role.
my baby’s first cry, I finally understood the responsibility and commitment of fatherhood.“]
- e. Meredith called out loudly, “Let the baby’s mother come up and say something too! Where is she?”
the banquet hall froze momentarily.
Arted between Ava and me.]
hospitalization lizationfully obvious, but Meredith’s interruption seemed calculated to force Griffin to publicly acknowledge his choice.[]
to get me get me
aze, then slowly walked toward the stage.
re dumbfounded, I snatched the microphone from his hand.
ng? I’m warning you–don’t cause a scene, or we’re done.“]]
eyes as he tugged at my sleeve, hissing warnings under his breath, but I pulled my arm away without even glancing at him.[]
ed me, why would he fear what I might say?
beat, I spoke calmly into the microphone: “First, I want to thank everyone for traveling so far to attend this celebration.“[]
today witnessed Griffin and me walk down the aisle together and exchange our wedding vows. After marriage, I always cherished your blessings. But ay, you probably noticed that family portrait by the entrance.“[]
n’s expression instantly darkened.]
d me with a thunderous look, trying to grab the microphone from my hand.[]
epped him, gripping the microphone tightly as I continued:[]
as shocked myself. After just one year abroad for advanced training, I returned to find Griffin with another woman who was carrying his child.“[]
convince me this was for my benefit–that they wanted me to raise their child and pretend to be its mother. But unfortunately, I couldn’t swallow that
t’s get a divorce.”
