Chapter 4

At the hospital, a handsome man stood frozen, staring at his baby lying inside the incubator.

The baby had been born two months earlier than the doctor’s prediction. His weight was only 1.2 kilograms, so fragile and tiny.

“Nathan, how are you?” asked Doctor John, the pediatrician who had been handling the baby from the start, as well as Nathan’s close friend.

Nathan Hermawan, a well-known successful businessman, only nodded slightly. His gaze never left his child, who was now a week old but still had to stay inside the incubator.

“Your baby needs breast milk, Nathan, so his weight can increase quickly. We have tried various brands of formula milk, but the results are the same. Your baby is allergic to cow’s milk. Each time he drinks formula, he vomits and his lips turn blue. As for soy milk, it is not recommended for premature babies.”

Doctor John continued, “A premature baby’s digestive system is not yet fully developed. He needs nutrition that truly fits his needs in order to grow and develop well. That is why I advise you to find breast milk for him.”

Nathan fell silent, processing his friend’s words. Should he really go and look for breastfeeding mothers willing to provide milk for his child?

“You need a breast milk donor,” Doctor John suggested, confirming his thought.

“Where am I supposed to find one?” Nathan sighed in confusion.

For his son’s sake, he was willing to do anything. Even if he had to pay a high price, Nathan did not mind. But where could he possibly find a nursing woman who would agree to become a donor for his baby?

“Perhaps a neighbor or someone you know would be willing. But for a breast milk donor, it is best if the woman is healthy and free from infectious diseases. She also needs to have a sufficient milk supply. If her milk is limited, then she cannot become a donor since she must still feed her own child.

Actually, this hospital has access to human milk donated by breastfeeding women. But I don’t recommend your baby consuming that. I fear there could be contamination or mixing with cow’s milk, which would be harmful to a premature baby. In addition, we cannot always be certain that the donor meets all health requirements. That is why I suggest you find a donor you truly know and trust, and make sure she goes through proper medical screening first.”

Doctor John then looked at Nathan seriously. “What about the baby’s mother? Has her milk come in yet?”

Nathan was silent. Since the baby’s birth, the mother had never come to see him, even though her condition was fine and she had delivered normally.

“Not yet…” he finally answered in a heavy tone.

“Alright then. If you have any questions, come see me in my office. I’ll take my leave now.” Doctor John excused himself and walked away.

Nathan remained standing still. His eyes returned to his son—so small, with wrinkled, peeling skin.

A breast milk donor who met all the doctor’s criteria… how could he possibly find one?

***

Nathan was now sitting at his desk.

His eyes stared at the computer screen, but his mind kept circling back to his baby.

He had already discussed the issue of breast milk with his mother, hoping she could quickly find a milk donor for the little one. However, it turned out that finding a donor in Europe was not easy.

His mother had tried through recommendations from the housekeeper, acquaintances in her social circles, even her network of friends. Yet still, no woman could be found to become a breast milk donor. To qualify as a donor, one must have an abundant supply. Usually, once a child was over a year old, milk production decreased drastically.

Nathan’s head felt like it was about to explode from all these thoughts.

If he didn’t find a wet nurse soon, he feared the poor child’s growth and development would be at risk.

The man reached for his phone lying on the desk, called his personal assistant, and hung up after giving instructions.

“Excuse me, boss.” A tall, broad-shouldered man entered Nathan’s office.

“Sit,” Nathan ordered firmly.

Dirga, his trusted assistant, pulled up a chair and sat upright.

“Gather all female employees who are currently breastfeeding,” Nathan said.

“Sorry, boss… for what purpose? How old is the baby?” Dirga asked, his brow furrowed.

“Those who are still breastfeeding. I need breast milk,” Nathan replied coldly.

Dirga fell silent, his mouth slightly agape at his boss’s strange request.

Could it be that his boss had… unusual habits?

Did he actually like drinking breast milk?

He knew that in some countries, adults consumed breast milk because it was believed to have higher nutritional value than cow’s milk. But… would his boss really go that far?

“Did you hear what I said?” Nathan’s sharp gaze cut through him.

“Yes, sir. The breast milk you need… is it directly from the source or pumped first?” he asked innocently.

“Directly from the source,” Nathan replied firmly.

He didn’t want to risk being deceived. Someone could easily claim it was breast milk when in fact it was formula. That was why Nathan wanted to ensure the authenticity of the milk for his baby. He had even prepared a large payment for anyone who was suitable as a donor. This was all in accordance with Dr. John’s advice.

Dirga swallowed hard, again and again. “Doesn’t your wife mind, sir?”

“What do you mean?” Nathan’s eyes pierced him instantly.

“No, I was joking. I’ll take care of it right away, sir.” Dirga quickly stood and left, trying to save himself.

“For the past week, the boss has been even fiercer… like a teenage girl on her period,” Dirga muttered under his breath.

Not long after, he returned with a report. “Boss, the breastfeeding employees are waiting.”

“Send them in one by one,” Nathan said.

“Yes, sir.” Though his thoughts were in disarray, Dirga obeyed.

Outside, about twenty female employees were waiting with anxious faces. Suddenly being summoned by the big boss made them nervous. Some thought it was about new labor regulations, others suspected layoffs.

“Mrs. Yani, please go in first,” Dirga said, glancing at the list.

The woman turned pale. It was her first time meeting Nathan, the sole heir of the Hermawan business empire.

With hesitant steps, Yani entered the spacious room with its modern-classic design. The cold air from the air conditioner only heightened her tension. Ahead of her, Nathan sat with a flat expression.

“Sit,” Nathan ordered.

Yani complied. Her hands trembled slightly.

“Are you currently breastfeeding?” Nathan went straight to the point.

“Yes, sir…” she answered nervously. Dark thoughts crossed her mind. Was this some sort of excuse for the company to cut staff?

“How old is your baby?”

“One and a half years, sir. But my milk supply has already decreased, so I’ve been giving formula as well.”

“Leave. Next,” Nathan said curtly.

Dirga immediately called the next name.

And so it continued. From morning until midday, one employee after another entered. But the answers were always the same: almost all admitted that their supply had diminished, many were already supplementing with formula. The most common explanation was that contraceptives had reduced their milk production.

The longer it went on, the harder Nathan’s expression became. Frustration weighed heavily on his chest. Not a single woman was suitable to become a donor for his son.

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Meanwhile, on the other side of the city…

“Ma’am, I’d like to settle my child’s hospital bill.”

Elizabeth stood at the hospital cashier’s counter. She handed over the receipt, the debt record, and even the wedding ring she had once used as collateral.

The administrative staff took her documents, but Elizabeth’s next words made the woman turn to her in shock.

“Ma’am… I want to become a breast milk donor. Does this hospital accept breast milk donors?”

“Breast milk?”

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