Chapter 1

In the gynecology department on the second floor, my widowed sister-in-law, Serena Lowe, was currently snuggled up to my husband, Neil Fischer. She was teasingly asking him to pick a name for her child.

A nurse currently making her rounds covered her mouth and giggled at the sight. "You're the most lovey-dovey couple I've seen in the entire hospital. How enviable."

My nails dug deeply into my palms at the sight.

In my previous life, Neil sent Serena to the hospital, claiming that she was carrying the child of his martyred older brother, Liam Fischer. He left me at home to go through labor alone.

I had a difficult labor, suffering a perineal tear and severe hemorrhaging during the process. Although I just barely survived the ordeal, I was left with countless health complications.

Neil falsely claimed that Serena's child hadn't survived childbirth. Then, under the pretext that my health was poor, he had me and Serena raise my son together.

I was deeply grateful back then and simply regarded Serena as an angel from heaven. I not only arranged a job for her but also frequently provided financial aid to her maternal family, who often mooched off mine.

Serena accepted everything I gave without reservation, bleeding me dry to live a posh, glamorous life.

I, on the other hand, remained blinded to the truth and ultimately met a lonely, miserable end.

Looking back now, I had truly been such a fool.

"Honey, would Liam be happy about you naming Serena's child for her?"

At the sound of my voice, Neil and Serena scrambled away from each other.

Neil's shame turned to anger, and he lashed out with accusations. "You're heavy with child, May! Why did you come running over to the hospital instead of awaiting labor at home?"

Serena anxiously urged me to go home as well. "You're close to giving birth, so you shouldn't be moving around so much lest you cause complications with your pregnancy."

I was so angry I laughed. "It's precisely because I'm worried about complications that I came to the hospital. Serena, return me the hospital bed my parents reserved for me!"

Hospitals were rare in the 1970s, and there were even fewer specialized hospitals capable of handling childbirth cases.

My parents, who felt bad for me, had gone out of their way to ask an old army friend to reserve a hospital bed for me.

In my past life, I fell for Neil's lies and willingly gave up my bed for Serena. This time, I was going to protect my child.

As soon as the words left my mouth, Serena teared up and rose to tug pleadingly at the hem of my shirt. "I shouldn't have been so pretentious. I'm just a widower, after all. I only deserve to give birth at home alone. I won't try to fight you."

"That bed was always mine—"

Before I could finish, Serena suddenly fell backward, pulling me along with her. She then let out a tortured scream and clutched at her stomach.

"Why did you push me, May? My stomach hurts so much," she cried out.

She landed on her back while my stomach struck the ground hard. A sharp pain instantly shot through my entire body.

I looked down shakily. There was a pool of blood beneath me.

Neil kicked me aside as if he didn't notice and scooped Serena into his arms. "Where's the doctor? Someone, help! My lover… Serena's about to give birth!"

Neil hurriedly called for a doctor and midwife. Nobody noticed me amid the chaos.

They placed Serena onto a stretcher wheeled over by a doctor.

Just as they were about to rush into the delivery room, I used the last of my strength to grab onto Neil's pant leg.

I begged, "Save me first. My water broke…"

Neil's gaze darted between Serena and me.

Eventually, he gritted his teeth and replied, "If you hadn't shoved Serena out of jealousy, we wouldn't be in this situation right now! Serena's not in the best health and needs a doctor present for delivery.

"Just hang in there. Once she's successfully given birth, you can have the doctor's attention!"