Chapter 4

My fingers tightened around the report until my knuckles went white.

Why did I get a vasectomy?

I gave a bitter, humorless laugh.

Who else would I have done it for? Audrey, of course.

She was deeply devoted to her career and terrified of the pain of childbirth. She often said that having a baby would take away the life she had worked so hard to build, so she insisted that we would never have children.

I could not bear to put her through that, so even though I loved children, I agreed.

Throughout our marriage, we always used protection.

Then, some time ago, she came across an online story about a child-free couple. The husband regretted the decision in middle age, but by then, his wife could no longer conceive. He ended up cheating on her and having a child with another woman.

Audrey told me she was afraid I would do the same.

To put her mind at ease, I ignored my family and friends’ objections and got a vasectomy the very next day.

I had planned to tell her on our fifth wedding anniversary, so she would never have to worry about it again.

I never imagined not even getting that opportunity.

Fortunately, the nurse told me that since my vasectomy had been fairly recent, my vas deferens was still in good condition. A reversal procedure should restore my fertility.

I was still pondering over it when the door suddenly swung open.

Audrey entered the hospital room, holding the folder I had asked Ryan to pass along at noon. She did not look pleased.

The next moment, she tossed it at me.

She frowned. “I’ve signed the documents. Buying a house is a personal matter. Don’t bring things like this to the hospital again. What would Ryan think if he saw it?”

I almost laughed.

She thought that it had been the paperwork for the new house.

She had signed them without even bothering to read them.

Good. That saved me from having to argue with her.

I put the divorce agreement back into my bag. Strangely, the weight I had been carrying inside finally lifted.

When I remained silent, Audrey’s expression softened slightly.

“Get some rest. I still have work to do, so I’ll head out.”

I looked at her and could not help asking softly, “Audrey, aren’t you even a little curious why I’m lying here?”

She paused for a moment before answering indifferently, “Isn’t it just your stomach problem? It’s the same old issue. Get some rest and go home once you’re better. Don’t take up a bed someone else needs.”

I stared at her blankly, my heart tightening painfully as if something had clenched around it.

I did have a stomach problem.

Back then, she always carried my medication in her pocket. Whenever I felt unwell, she would bring me water and make sure I took it.

But somewhere along the way, my medicine quietly disappeared from her pockets.

Last week, while washing her white coat, I found a man’s cufflinks tucked inside.

They were silver-gray, with initials engraved on it.

I had seen it on Ryan’s cuff before.

Forget it.

I was too tired to summon the strength to question her.

I looked at Audrey. Before I could tell her about the surgery, the door burst open.

“Dr. Levingston!”

A young doctor rushed in. Panic was written all over his face.

“The patient in Bed 32 is deteriorating. The family is causing a scene, and they’re trying to attack Mr. Ludlow. Please come quickly!”

Audrey’s expression changed. She turned and left without a moment’s hesitation.

She did not even spare me a glance.

Her entire focus was on Ryan.

As I watched her anxious figure disappear through the doorway, the last bit of attachment I still had vanished completely.

Why should I sacrifice my chances of having children for someone like her?

I closed my eyes and made up my mind.

Then, I pressed the call button.

When the nurse on duty came in, I clutched the report and said slowly, “Please arrange a vasectomy reversal for me now. The sooner, the better.”