Chapter 2

I let out a bitter laugh and shook my head.

"I'll just have it removed quietly myself."

Since she was willing to stay by Austin's side under a new identity, then I would grant her that wish completely.

Let Candice disappear from this world for good.

…

I had just gotten into the car and was about to leave when I saw Candice hurrying toward the hospital in a panic.

A moment later, my phone buzzed with a message from her:

"Jon, you're my brother-in-law, our family's finally getting some wonderful news. I'm about to give birth!"

My wife of five years, who had once loved me so deeply, was now calling me 'brother-in-law' over and over again, treating my child as someone else's.

At that moment, everything suddenly felt meaningless.

I did not bother replying. Instead, I headed straight to the hospital and went to the registration counter to apply for kidney surgery.

The young nurse looked at me sympathetically.

"Where's your spouse? You should at least discuss something this serious with your family. Don't carry everything alone."

I glanced toward the delivery room area.

Candice stood there holding a baby in her arms, her face overflowing with tenderness and affection.

Without realizing it, I let out a self-mocking smile.

"My spouse is dead. So I'll be handling the surgery myself."

The nurse awkwardly let out a quiet "oh" and quickly processed my registration.

I had planned to hide in a corner and quietly wait for the operation, but Candice still spotted me. She immediately walked over happily.

"Brother-in-law, I had a baby boy. The Jenkins family finally has an heir."

However, when she saw the numb expression on my face, the smile on hers slowly stiffened. A trace of guilt seemed to flash through her eyes.

"I know you always wanted a child. Actually, I... no, my sister also really wanted one. If she were still here..."

I stared at her flattened stomach, and my chest tightened so painfully it felt like someone was twisting my heart.

All these years, I really had wanted a child.

And now my child was standing right in front of me.

However, I no longer had the right to acknowledge him.

Just then, two doctors called out at almost the same time from nearby.

"Ms. Jenkins, your husband's looking for you!"

"Mr. Cole, it's your turn for surgery!"

Maybe she was too overwhelmed with happiness, because she never noticed someone calling my name.

We brushed past each other.

She cradled the newborn in her arms, smiling as she played with him.

And I was on my way to have one of my kidneys removed.

Thankfully, the surgery didn't take long.

Not long after I came out of the operating room, Candice insisted on dragging me into the ward to see the baby.

Even after the accident, Austin was still unbelievably handsome. One glance was enough to tell he had been very well cared for all these years.

Meanwhile, the reflection staring back at me in the mirror looked exhausted and worn down, older than my real age by several years.

Candice subconsciously reached into her pocket for a cigarette. But the moment Austin shot her a look, she immediately smiled obediently and tossed the cigarette pack into the trash.

Back then, I had tried countless times to convince her to quit smoking for the sake of her health.

She had never listened once.

Austin looked at me with a grin.

"My wife listens to everything I say. For the baby, she quit smoking just like that. Guess I really married the right woman."

Every word carried an unmistakable sense of possession.

Did he also know that the woman in front of him was Candice, not his actual wife?

Before I could think further, my parents-in-law came rushing over. They brushed past me entirely, eager to see their grandson.

The three of them, together with my in-laws, looked exactly like one big happy family.

And what was I?

I could not even call myself the widower of my own wife.

When I returned home, the Scott family had already sent over several photos, along with the wedding suit and diamond ring prepared for the ceremony.

I never expected Candice to suddenly appear behind me.

The moment she saw the eldest daughter of the Scott family on my phone screen, her entire expression tightened with panic.

"Who is that?

"Jon... what are you trying to do?"