Chapter 3

Evelyn Reed POV

The next morning, I went to the hospital alone. Not to my urology department, but to obstetrics and gynecology.

On the ultrasound report, a tiny gestational sac was securely implanted.

Four weeks.

This was Nate's and my child. For three years of marriage, Nate had been meticulous about birth control. He said he couldn't bear for me to suffer through childbirth, wanting a few more years of just the two of us. This unexpected pregnancy was because of his birthday a month ago; he'd gotten drunk and uncontrollably made love to me all night.

I sat on a bench in the hospital corridor, holding the report, my hand gently resting on my flat abdomen.

If Caleb were still alive, if I hadn't seen that photo, I would probably be excitedly throwing myself into Nate's arms right now, telling him the good news.

But now, I only felt a bitter irony.

My phone vibrated. It was Nate calling.

"Evelyn, are your tests done? I'll come pick you up." His voice was still gentle.

Before I could speak, a delicate female voice suddenly came from the other end: "Nate, I can't find my medicine..."

Nate's breathing hitched, and he immediately covered the mouthpiece, but I still caught his hushed cooing: "Don't worry, it's in the second drawer on the left. I'll be right there."

When he spoke to me again, his tone held a hint of urgency: "Evelyn, there's an emergency company meeting. Can you go home by yourself? Be careful."

"Okay." I hung up abruptly.

I didn't go home. Instead, I went to Nate's private apartment downtown.

It was Nate's forbidden territory, cleaned only by trusted hourly workers. I had never interfered with his privacy before, but today, I used a spare key Nate had casually left in his car to open that door.

The apartment was spotless, arranged warmly and full of a lived-in feel.

I pushed open the bedroom door, and my whole body froze.

The walls were covered with photos of Nate and Sophia. From high school to college, from innocent to mature. In every photo, Nate's smile was so unrestrained, a vivacity I had never seen in him.

The dresser was laden with Sophia's favorite rose perfumes; the closet held custom-made dresses in Sophia's size.

My hands trembling, I pulled open the nightstand drawer. Inside lay a thick diary and a stack of medical records.

The name on the medical records was Sophia Smith. Diagnosis: Congenital renal insufficiency.

My breath caught in my throat. As a urologist, I was all too familiar with this condition.

I opened the diary, Nate's handwriting stinging my eyes.

"Sophia got married and moved to San Francisco with that man. She said she didn't want to burden me. How could I ever resent her?"

"I met a woman named Evelyn Reed. She wore a white coat, and in some ways, she resembled Sophia. More importantly, she was the best urologist in New York."

"I married Evelyn Reed. I funded a research center for her, established a dedicated fund. As long as her team could achieve this medical breakthrough, Sophia would be saved."

"Every day, I hold Evelyn Reed, closing my eyes and imagining the person in my arms is Sophia. Only then can I endure the nights without Sophia."

The last page of the diary was dated three days ago.

"Sophia got divorced, and her illness flared up. I flew to San Francisco to pick her up. I just need her to be alive."

*Smack!* The diary fell to the floor.

I covered my mouth, gasping for air, tears scalding as they hit my hand.

So that was it.

No wonder he always held me from behind. No wonder he poured money into my research. No wonder he never let me into his private circle.

I wasn't a wife; I was just a free, top-tier private physician who resembled his first love.

I wasn't even a stand-in; I was just a tool he meticulously cultivated to save Sophia!

I laughed, my body shaking, tears streaming down my face.

I stood up, stumbling down the stairs, preparing to leave. Suddenly, my foot slipped, and I tumbled headfirst down the stairs, hitting each step with brutal force.

The moment my body slammed against the steps, a tearing pain erupted in my abdomen.

With my years of medical experience, I instantly realized my baby might be in danger.

Panic flooded my heart. I clenched my teeth against the dull pain throughout my body, pulled out my phone, and dialed 911. My consciousness began to fade amidst waves of agonizing pain.