Chapter 2

Fiona's POV

I never could have imagined that while I was signing my final departure paperwork at the university, Sean would burst in holding a baby.

My advisor and several other classmates who were also heading abroad were sitting in the conference room.

In just a few days, I was supposed to leave for a prestigious medical fellowship in Europe. It was an opportunity I had spent two grueling years preparing for.

In my past life, I never made that flight.

It was Sean back then, too, showing up with a sudden infant. He claimed the baby had been abandoned in the alley behind his family's clinic.

He told me his health was poor and that he might never have biological children.

He said since we were getting married anyway, we should just take the baby in.

I loved him so much then, pitied him so much, that I actually canceled my plane ticket, gave up my fellowship, and brought that baby home.

We named the boy Caleb.

I raised Caleb, slaved away for Sean's family, and took care of his "paralyzed" mother, until I eventually worked myself into a terminal illness. When I begged for treatment, Sean and Caleb complained it was too expensive. They brought me home and gave me nothing but cheap painkillers.

On the day I died, I heard Caleb crying in Hailey's arms. "Mom, I can finally call you Mom open and honest now."

Only then did I realize that the child I had spent my entire life raising was the biological son of Sean and Hailey.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of my departure.

The baby in Sean's arms was wrapped in a light blue blanket, his cries weak. Sean stood at the door, his eyes red, looking like the victim. "Fiona, I know you're busy today, but I had nowhere else to turn. Someone left this baby in the alley behind our old clinic. Social Services needs a temporary guardian to sign off immediately. Can you please just help me watch him for a bit?"

My professors sat beside me, keeping quiet.

I didn't even stand up. I just asked, "Why are you looking for me?"

Sean was visibly taken aback.

After all, the old Fiona would never ask "why." Whenever he said he needed me, I would always worry about his struggles first, completely ignoring my own limits.

Sean lowered his voice. "You're a medical student, and you're so detail-oriented. We're getting married soon anyway. Helping me is helping our future family."

I smiled.

Family.

In my past life, everyone in Sean's family had that word glued to their lips.

Giving up my fellowship was "for the family." Quitting my job was "for the family." Using my mother's retirement money to buy Caleb an apartment was "for the family." Even when I was dying and my bones ached, they said the family couldn't let a sick patient drag them down.

I looked at the folder in Sean's hands. "What do you want me to sign?"

Sean quickly handed the papers over. "Just a temporary foster intake form. CPS said we can do a transitional placement with a familiar family first before they find a permanent home."

I flipped to the first page.

On the form, my name, home address, and future family plans were already filled out. Only the signature line was blank.

What disgusted me even more was the background section. It was written as if I had already enthusiastically agreed.

To be married soon. Female applicant has a medical background, stable household, and a long-term desire to provide care.

These words hit me like a slap in the face. They were exactly like the praise Sean's family used to shower me with in my past life.

Fiona is so patient. Fiona is so caring. Fiona is the perfect mother.

They praised me so much that eventually, saying "no" felt like a crime.

The department head noticed something was off and frowned slightly. "Fiona, did you clear this placement with the university's travel board beforehand?"

"No," I answered instantly. "I am here today to confirm my flight to Europe, not to sign up for motherhood."

Someone in the room let out a soft gasp.

Sean's expression turned incredibly dark. He probably hadn't expected me to be so blunt in front of my peers. In the past, I always protected his fragile ego. Even if I felt wronged, I would wait until we got home to ask him quietly about it.

But I had cared about his feelings for an entire lifetime already. That was enough.

I looked up. "Where did you get my ID copies?"

Sean stiffened. "From when I helped you organize your licensing exam materials last month. Fiona, don't sweat the small stuff. The baby can't wait."

"Small stuff?" I slammed the folder shut. "You took my personal documents, filled out a foster form without my consent, and crashed my academic meeting to force me to sign it. You really know how to pick your moments, Sean."

Sean's voice dropped. "Do you really have to embarrass me in front of everyone?"

I pulled out my phone.

Panic flashed in his eyes. "What are you doing?"

"Calling 911," I said calmly. "An abandoned baby is a matter for the police, the hospital, and Child Protective Services. It is not the job of an unmarried medical student."

The baby started crying again. Sean hugged the infant closer, his eyes turning cold. "Fiona, when did you become so heartless?"

I stood up and took my passport and visa documents back.

"Since the day I died once."

Sean froze.

He obviously couldn't understand what I meant. He probably just thought I was talking nonsense out of anger.

But I was completely sober.

I could clearly see the familiar designer watch on his wrist, the loose threads on the baby's blanket, and the light blue hair tie, the exact brand Hailey always used, wrapped around the baby's bottle bag.

I hadn't noticed these details in my past life.

Back then, my mind had been filled with Sean's tearful eyes and his heartbreaking lie: "I might never have my own kids." I had valued his pain too much and my own future too little.

In this life, I wouldn't fall for the same trap twice.