I rushed out of the elevator and found my husband screaming for a doctor— for his wife in the operating room. And that wife wasn’t me. Minutes later, I was the surgeon ordered to save the woman carrying his child. That was the moment I stopped being the fool in this marriage… and started becoming the storm that would destroy it. “Get me the best doctor here right now!” As I stepped out of the staff-only elevator, I was greeted by the sight of my husband, Grant Fairclough, making a scene outside the operating room. My first thought was, “What is he doing here?” He told me he was away on a business trip today and couldn’t celebrate our seventh wedding anniversary with me. Before I could process what was happening, he yelled at the nurse again. “You’d better save my wife and baby, or I’ll make sure this hospital goes bankrupt!” I froze at his words. I thought, “If his wife is the one lying in that operating room, then who am I?” The realization hit me like a freight train. I’d been betrayed. I was still standing there in shock when a young doctor hurried toward me. “Dr. Fairclough, you’re just in time. All the senior surgeons are tied up with other cases. Please, you need to head into the OR now!” I took a deep breath, clenched my fists, and made my way toward the operating room. Grant blocked my path, his voice dripping with hostility. “Are you the lead surgeon?” I was momentarily stunned that he didn’t recognize me. “Even with the surgical cap and mask covering most of my face, how could he not recognize his wife of seven years?” I thought. But then again, I realized that he probably never imagined I’d be here. Last month, I was temporarily assigned to this small-town hospital as part of an exchange program. I remembered telling Grant about it, but it was obvious that he had been too engrossed in his phone and hadn’t paid attention. From behind my mask, I said calmly, “Please step aside, Sir.” I brushed past him. Grant shouted after me, “There aren’t any men in that OR, right? My wife’s body isn’t for other men to see!” I cursed him silently, disgusted by his absurd possessiveness. But my curiosity grew. His words intrigued me more about the identity of the “wife” he was so protective of. After scrubbing in, I entered the OR. A pregnant woman lay pale and weak on the operating table. The moment I saw her face, my chest tightened. It was Vanessa Hilton, the wife of Ethan Hilton, Grant’s cousin. Ethan was a soldier and was often away on duty. Vanessa would frequently call Grant over to her house with excuses like a broken appliance or a plumbing issue. I’d been so busy with work that I never paid much attention to these things. But now, I realized they had been carrying on behind my back! The nurse handed me Vanessa’s medical chart. Vanessa was eight months pregnant. Her premature contractions were triggered by sexual activity during her pregnancy. I flipped through the chart, my mind racing. Ethan had been away for nearly a year. I couldn’t help but think, “Could the baby Vanessa is carrying be Grant’s?” My stomach churned. Memories of suspicious moments surfaced. Despite years of marriage, I hadn’t been able to conceive. My cycles were irregular, and last year, I’d suggested Grant get tested. He’d flatly refused, insisting he was perfectly fine. Even his mother, Carol Fairclough, had taken his side. I thought, “No wonder he was so sure of himself. He’s already gotten someone else pregnant.” It dawned on me that Carol must have known all along. “Dr. Fairclough,” my assistant interrupted, “should we prepare for a C-section?” I checked the fetal heart rate and ultrasound. The baby was developed enough to survive outside the womb. “The irony,” I thought bitterly. “I’m about to perform a C-section on the woman who’s been sleeping with my husband.” But as a doctor, I had no other choice. Taking a steadying breath, I said, “Yes. Prep for anesthesia.” As we began preparations, Vanessa suddenly screamed, “I want my husband here! I don’t want to do this alone!” The nurse tried to soothe her. “Ms. Hilton, that’s against protocol…” “Why not? I’ve seen husbands in the delivery room on TV!” After the anesthesia kicked in, Vanessa’s contractions eased, and she began shouting energetically. The nurse explained patiently, “Those require prior approval, and our hospital doesn’t…” Vanessa shouted, “I don’t care! My husband is a high-ranking executive! If you don’t let him in, you’ll regret it!” I thought, “Your real husband is a soldier, Vanessa. Grant’s just your lover, isn’t he? How shameless.” Clearly, neither Vanessa nor Grant cared about their marriage. They openly called each other husband and wife. “I won’t deliver unless my husband is here!” Vanessa declared.
My assistant hesitated. “Dr. Fairclough, what should we do?” Suppressing my rage, I replied, “Call the director. I don’t have the authority to make that decision.” The director approved it quickly, saying the paperwork could be handled later. Soon, Grant entered the room, dressed in scrubs. Vanessa immediately started whining. “Honey, it hurts so much…” She was lying, of course. In her semi-anesthetized state, she wouldn’t feel pain. Grant held her hand tenderly. “Hang in there, sweetheart. Once the baby’s born, I’ll reward you.” “I want that limited-edition designer bag…” “Anything you want. Just name it.” Watching this despicable pair, I no longer felt anger. I only felt self-loathing for being so stupid. Grant had been so distant recently, even forgetting my birthday and our anniversary, but I’d foolishly chalked it up to work stress. “Avery,” I told myself, “you’re a doctor. No matter who’s on the table, you must do your duty.” Resolving to stay professional, I picked up the scalpel. The first incision was smooth. Grant leaned over to look, then promptly fainted. Ignoring him, I moved on to the second layer. “Grant! Are you okay?” Vanessa shrieked, trying to sit up. My assistant held her down. “Ms. Hilton, please remain still.” Two nurses dragged Grant to a corner. I knew what was going on. Grant must have fainted from the sight of blood. “How touching,” I thought sarcastically. “He really does care for Vanessa.” We successfully delivered the baby. It was a frail boy, his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, his skin a sickly purple. “Is the baby out?” Vanessa asked anxiously. “It’s a boy,” my assistant replied. She was overjoyed and immediately asked, “Why isn’t he crying?” The assistant didn’t answer. I calmly cleared the mucus from the baby’s airway and gave his foot a firm tap. The baby’s first cry finally pierced the room. Grant stirred, attempting to sit up, but fainted again when he saw the bloodied newborn. The nurse measured the baby’s vitals and weight before showing him to Vanessa. “He’s a little weak and needs to be placed in an incubator,” the nurse explained. “What? Incubator? You’re just trying to scam us for money!” Vanessa snapped. I lost my patience. “Premature babies often require incubators. If you don’t trust our hospital, you’re welcome to transfer elsewhere.” Her defiance flared. “Fine! We’ll transfer! My husband can afford it. If it weren’t for…” She stopped short, then muttered, “Who’d come to this crappy hospital otherwise?” I knew what she meant. They came here to avoid gossip. After all, I was the best doctor at the city’s top hospital, and if they had born this kid in the city, I might have found out about their affair. I handed over the post-op procedures to my team and stepped out. Just as I was about to take a break, I heard loud yelling from the corridor. “The baby wasn’t even due yet! Why was he born? I’ll sue this hospital into the ground!” Looking up, I saw the source of the commotion. It was Grant’s mother, Carol.
Carol blocked the midwife, refusing to let her take the baby to the NICU. The midwife, growing anxious, tried to reason with her. “Mrs. Fairclough, due to the risk of losing the baby, we had to perform an emergency C-section…” “What?” Carol’s voice shot up. “A C-section? Natural birth makes smarter kids! Who gave you permission to do this? Call your director here, now!” I had never realized how ignorant Carol could be. My emotions churned, but I wanted no part in this mess. I only wanted to leave. I made up my mind. As soon as I got home, I would divorce Grant and sever all ties with these shameless people. I tried to avoid her and walk away. But Carol spotted me and quickly stepped in my path. “Was it you who performed the C-section on my daughter-in-law?” I answered calmly, “The procedure was done with the patient’s and her family’s consent. If you have questions, take them up with your son.” Carol didn’t recognize me. She started shouting again. “Hey! How dare you talk to me like that? Do you even know who I am? Who do you think you are? You are just a doctor!” Taking advantage of the distraction, the midwife hurriedly wheeled the baby into the elevator. Carol, too focused on berating me, failed to stop her. She redirected her fury toward me. “You’re the reason my grandson was born prematurely! What kind of evil person are you? Are you trying to ruin his future?” The other people waiting outside the operating room couldn’t stand it anymore and began to speak up. “How unreasonable can you get? The doctor only acted to save your grandson!” “Exactly. Both your son and his wife signed off on the surgery. Why are you blaming the doctor?” Someone discreetly began recording the scene on his phone. Carol, unfazed, lashed out. “Mind your own business! If it’s not the doctor’s fault, then whose is it? My grandson wasn’t due for two more months! It’s all because of this quack!” “You’re heartless,” an elderly woman interjected. “The doctor saved your grandson’s life!” The argument spiraled into chaos. In her rage, Carol suddenly swung a fist at the elderly woman. I quickly intervened, warning Carol. “Madam, if you keep this up, I’ll have to call security.” “You wouldn’t dare! Go ahead and try!” Carol screamed, now completely unhinged. I shielded the older woman, urging her to step back. “Please, Madam, step aside for your safety…” Taking advantage of my momentary distraction, Carol shoved me hard. I staggered, unable to steady myself, and fell heavily to the ground. A wave of dizziness hit me, followed by sharp pain in my lower abdomen. Concerned bystanders rushed to help me up. “Doctor, are you okay?” I couldn’t stand straight. Carol, however, began shouting as if she were the victim. “Stop pretending! I barely touched you!” The pain was unbearable. I pressed my stomach, too weak to argue with her. Suddenly, I noticed a warm sensation trickling down my thigh. I froze, too terrified to move. Just then, Grant appeared, pushing Vanessa’s hospital bed out of the operating room. Seeing Carol, Grant asked in surprise, “Mom? What are you doing here?” Carol, emboldened now that her son was present, twisted the story. “Your assistant told me Vanessa was delivering the baby here! Grant, tell me, did this quack doctor trick you into agreeing to a C-section? It was such a major decision, and you didn’t even consult me first! Hospitals like this always exaggerate risks to scam people into expensive procedures!” Several staff members lost their patience and spoke up. “Don’t you dare accuse us without evidence!” “The patient’s water broke! We had no choice but to perform the surgery!” Carol, hands on her hips, snapped back. “And why did her water break, huh? Don’t try to fool me!” I couldn’t listen to her nonsense any longer. Summoning my remaining strength, I retorted, “Your son and his wife caused this by having sex during her pregnancy!”
Grant froze, unable to refute me. Carol hesitated briefly before flying into a rage. “That’s a lie! My son would never do something like that!” A nurse came over to support me. “Dr. Fairclough, don’t stoop to her level. Let’s get you out of here…” But Carol wouldn’t let it go. She grabbed my arm, trying to stop me. “Hold it right there! Do you think you can just walk away? You owe my grandson an explanation!” Pain tore through my abdomen, and I felt cold sweat on my forehead. I realized something was very wrong. I broke free from her grip in desperation, pushing her away. Carol stumbled back into the wall, clutching her back. She immediately began wailing dramatically. “Oh, my head! You’ve hurt me!” The nurse snapped at her. “You hit your back, not your head! Stop lying!” Carol whined, “I don’t care! Apologize to me, or you’ll regret it!” She turned to Grant for backup. “Your mother’s being mistreated, and you’re just standing there? Do something!” Grant, still angry with me from the operating room, saw his chance to lash out. He marched over, pointing a finger in my face. “Apologize to my mother right now!” I gritted my teeth through the pain and whispered to the nurse, “I… I can’t… My stomach hurts. Take me away, please…” The nurse tried to lead me away, but Grant grabbed my arm roughly. “Where do you think you’re going? You’re not leaving until you apologize!” The nurse tried to intervene, only for Grant to shove her aside. “Grant! You’d better see who I am!” I shouted hoarsely. I raised my hand to remove my mask, but Grant seized my wrist, hissing, “I don’t care who you are. If you don’t apologize, I’ll make sure the director fires you!” Carol gleefully aimed her phone at me, triumphant. “Make her bow! Make her apologize! I’m recording this. Everyone will know what happens when you cross us!” The crowd murmured in disapproval. “These people are awful…” “Yeah, it was the old lady who started it.” Carol, unbothered, sneered, “Even the hospital director has to be polite to my son. Who does this doctor think she is? She’ll be out of a job by tomorrow!” Grant shoved me down, forcing me to bow. I struggled, refusing to give in. Enraged, he kicked the back of my knee. I collapsed to the ground, my knees slamming against the hard floor. “Apologize!” he barked, pressing me down further. In the scuffle, my hat and mask came off. My face was exposed as I hit the ground with a sickening thud. Pain shot through me, and everything went black for a moment. Several men in the crowd, unable to tolerate Grant’s behavior any longer, stepped in to restrain him. “That’s enough!” “How can you treat a woman like this!” “Someone should teach him a lesson!” Chaos erupted as Grant fought back. Carol seized the moment to kick me several times. “Security! Call security!” the nurses shouted. Two nurses helped me to my feet. I swayed unsteadily, and my vision blurred. Grant broke free and looked up, finally noticing my face. He froze, stunned. “Avery?” Carol paled as recognition dawned on her. “It’s you?” A nurse gasped in horror. “Dr. Fairclough! You’re bleeding!” I looked down to see my pants soaked in blood. My breaths came fast and shallow. My legs gave out, and I fell into darkness.
When I woke up, I found myself lying on a hospital bed with an IV drip in my arm. My mother was sitting by my bedside. The moment she saw me open my eyes her voice trembled with emotion. “Avery… how are you feeling now?” I shook my head slightly, my throat dry and scratchy. She helped me sit up, propping a pillow behind my back before handing me a glass of water. Outside, the sound of a heated argument filtered in. “She went through so much just to conceive a child for your Fairclough family! Is this how you repay my daughter?” I recognized it was my father yelling. I froze, confused. “What is he talking about? The Fairclough family’s child?” A wave of disbelief washed over me as my hand instinctively moved to my abdomen. My voice was hoarse when I asked my mother, “Mom… am I… pregnant?” Her eyes turned red as she nodded. “Yes… but… the doctors couldn’t save the baby…” A deafening roar filled my head. I couldn’t believe it. I had been pregnant with Grant’s child. My menstrual cycles had always been irregular, and with everything going on recently, I hadn’t even noticed the changes in my body. And now… the baby was gone. A crushing sorrow consumed me. Grant’s voice echoed from outside. “I didn’t know Avery was pregnant… she never told me…” My father’s fury boiled over. “You heartless bastard! Don’t play dumb. I know everything! You were fooling around with your cousin’s wife, got her pregnant, and came to this small hospital to have her deliver that little bastard, hoping Avery wouldn’t find out. And then you had the audacity to hit Avery! It’s your fault she lost the baby!” Just then, Carol arrived on the scene, immediately siding with her son. “How dare you speak to my son like that? If your daughter couldn’t keep her baby, that’s her own bad luck! Don’t you dare call my grandson bastard!” My father’s voice trembled with rage. “Your son cheated on his wife, and you still defend him?” “It’s all because your daughter couldn’t give him a child! They’ve been married for years, and she never got pregnant. My son had no choice but to find someone else!” “You… you’re absolutely shameless!” Carol, ever the brazen shrew, kept spewing her nonsense. My mother, unable to endure it any longer, stood up and opened the door. Instead of arguing, she spoke calmly, “There’s no point in this shouting match. You owe Avery an apology. Think about how you plan to make it right.” Carol sneered, undeterred. “Make it right? The only thing left is for them to divorce! My son is going to marry Vanessa. My grandson deserves a proper family!” My mother turned to Grant. “And what about you, Grant? What do you have to say?” With his mother backing him, Grant’s tone was firm. “Then let’s divorce. I’ll make sure Avery gets her fair share of the property.” My father’s anger erupted. “You’ll leave with nothing!” Carol snapped back, “Why should he? Grant, don’t listen to him. Just give Avery tens of thousands of dollars and call it done!” My father glared coldly. “Tens of thousands of dollars? Are you trying to insult us?” By now, I had calmed down completely. I knew the divorce was inevitable. But I wasn’t about to let them walk away unscathed. My mother made one final statement. “This is not the place for this discussion. We’ll involve lawyers and settle this properly.” The confrontation ended in hostility. My parents came back to the ward to comfort me, but I remained unusually calm. I asked my mother to hand me my phone and began searching for a contact. My mother looked puzzled. “Who are you calling? A lawyer?” I shook my head. “No. I’m looking for Grant’s cousin, Ethan.”
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