My Wife’s Secret Family

I watched the night dissolve into dawn with my eyes wide open.

…

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the dining room.

Serena was already dressed and ready.

She sipped coffee while scrolling through her phone, her brow slightly furrowed.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, carrying a plate of fried eggs, my tone casual.

“The hospital called,” she said, setting the phone down, her expression serious.

“They said there’s an issue with Ethan’s checkup report. They want him to come in for a follow-up today.”

I knew exactly what it meant, but I forced a tense expression. “What kind of issue? Is it serious?”

“Probably nothing major.”

She walked over and patted my shoulder soothingly.

“It’s likely just a routine recheck. Didn’t your father ask you to attend a meeting at the company? I’ll take Ethan.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry.” She kissed my forehead.

“How could I not care about my son?”

The irony of that sentence cut deep.

I nodded, forcing back a cold laugh.

“All right. Call me if anything happens.”

As she left with Ethan, he turned and waved. “Bye, Dad!”

“Bye, my little one,” I said with a smile.

The moment the door closed, the smile vanished from my face.

I picked up my phone, called my father, and followed Serena out the door.

I held the phone in my hand, the screen showing real-time location—that micro-tracker I had secretly attached to Ethan’s collar last night.

Voices came through the earpiece from inside the car.

“Mom, where are we going?”

“To the hospital. Don’t be scared, Ethan. It’s just a checkup.”

“But what about Dad?”

“Dad is busy. Mom’s here, that’s enough.”

Her voice was so gentle that it made me sick.

Serena carried Ethan into the hospital building.

The surveillance feed showed her handing him over to a doctor in a white coat.

The doctor smiled, patted Ethan’s head, said something, and then led him into the operating room.

The door closed.

I watched Serena walk toward the room where Noah was waiting.

I turned off the engine and stepped out of the car.

The sound of my leather shoes striking the floor echoed down the corridor.

The door to Room 312 was slightly ajar.

I stood outside and could hear them clearly.

“…Don’t be scared. The surgery will start soon.”

“Really, Mom?” Noah’s voice carried hope.

“After the surgery, I won’t be in pain anymore?”

“Yes. You can be like your friends. You can go to school, play at the park…”

“Then…” Noah’s voice dropped. “After the surgery, will you stay with Dad and me forever?

“Will you never go back to that other home?”

I gripped the doorknob until my nails dug into my palm.

“I promise,” Serena said so softly I almost missed it.

“Once you’re well, we’ll be together forever.”

“Then will you still want Ethan?” Noah asked. “Can you only want me?”

“Of course. He’s just your donor—”

I clenched my fist until it went white. Just a donor!

“Ms. Serena,” the doctor interjected. “The donor is ready. The surgery can begin at any moment, if you—”

“Do it now.” Serena didn’t hesitate.

“All right, I’ll notify the OR—”

*Bang!* I kicked the door open.

“The donor you mentioned,” I said slowly, locking eyes with Serena’s suddenly pale face, “that… isn’t my son, is it?”