Tired of Being My Husband's Substitute, I Ran Away

Jerissa avoided his gaze, her tone was light and dismissive. "Nothing. We were just talking about the past."

Franco clearly didn't believe her. But before he could press further, a nurse entered the ward and began wheeling Juliette out.

"The patient is ready for surgery. We'll begin shortly."

Juliette clutched Franco's sleeve once more. "Franco… I won't die, right? You'll be waiting for me outside the operating room, won't you?"

Her trembling voice pulled every ounce of his attention away. He bent down, his tone soft and coaxed. "I'll be right here. Don't think nonsense. Just listen to the doctors."

He personally followed as they pushed her bed toward the operating room.

Their hands stayed clasped tightly together until the very last moment, when the doors forced them apart.

Around them, nurses and waiting families whispered in awe.

"My God, the way he looks at her is so full of love!"

"They must be deeply in love. I'm envious."

Every word struck like a needle into Jerissa's chest, leaving a dense ache that spread in waves.

She had thought she no longer cared.

So why was there still that inexplicable sting, spreading quietly through her veins?

After asking the doctor about the surgery duration, Franco suddenly seized Jerissa's wrist.

"Come with me."

He pulled her along without explanation, straight into an elevator.

When the doors slid open, she froze.

The obstetrics and gynecology department.

Her eyes widened. "Why are we here?"

He turned back, his voice calm, almost indifferent. "For a checkup."

"A… gynecology checkup?" She couldn't believe it.

Throughout their marriage, even when his desire had burned out of control and his eyes turned red, if he wasn’t using contraception, he had always forced himself to stop. And now he was bringing her in for a gynecological exam?

"Yes." He cut her off. "It's already arranged. Go in."

A nurse appeared quickly to lead the way, and Jerissa, still reeling, followed helplessly through a series of tests.

When she finally received the report, her eyes drifted down to the results column.

[Good physical condition. All indicators suitable for childbirth.]

The words landed like a hammer against her chest.

Her breath hitched. Her heart thundered. He had brought her here… because he wanted her to bear his child?

But before she could process it, Franco, seemingly oblivious to her turmoil, took the report and walked straight into a consultation room.

"Come in."

Jerissa forced a deep breath, shoving her tangled emotions down, and followed.

The doctor greeted them with practiced ease, already pulling out prepared documents.

"Mr. Alba, Mrs. Alba, based on the test results, Mrs. Alba is in excellent condition. And the frozen eggs Miss Nicole left behind are still well-preserved. We can arrange the procedure soon. If Mr. Alba provides a sample, we can proceed directly with embryo implantation."

The words shattered through her like lightning.

"Nicole's... frozen eggs?"

Jerissa stood rooted to the spot, her blood rushing backward in a dizzying chill.

Her hands and feet went ice-cold.