Chapter 1

For thirty years, my DINK husband Lucas adhered to a "Platonic marriage," refusing to have children or any physical contact with me.

He claimed that desire would tarnish our love, and he only wanted us to dedicate our lives to our medical careers.

But on our anniversary, I witnessed him intimately entangled in our living room with the woman responsible for my father's death.

"Claire, you don't know how hard it's been for me all these years. I only want you..."

Thirty years of principles crumbled into a joke. I finally realized I was just a tool for his career advancement.

Heartbroken and disillusioned, I decided to accept a position at a German hospital. But when he couldn't find me anywhere, he panicked.

"Claire, I swear you're the first and will be the only one..." Lucas's husky voice, mixed with the woman's soft moans, struck me like lightning.

Thirty years. For thirty whole years!

Lucas had remained chaste for this woman?!

So he wasn't really devoted to "Platonic love," nor was he genuinely committed to being childless!

He simply didn't want to touch me!

All these years, I had respected his wishes.

I even gave up my right to motherhood for him!

The cold operating table where I had my IUD inserted still sends chills down my spine.

I'm a gynecologist, for heaven's sake, yet I couldn't have my own child!

All these years of envying newborn babies have now turned into a cruel joke!

"Dr. Lin, when are you going to divorce her? I don't want to wait too long~"

"Don't rush, I'm already making arrangements. After your aunt retires in a while, I'll divorce her and marry you properly."

"Aunt? Haha, Lucas, have you no shame!"

Amber laughed, playfully punching his chest in mock anger.

My hands clenched and unclenched, the loose thread on my clothes pricking my skin and my heart.

Lucas and I had an age-gap relationship; I was five years older than him.

When he married me, he said how amazing his "big sister" was.

Now he calls me "aunt."

The hallway mirror mercilessly reflected my graying hair and plain, shabby clothes.

I couldn't help but touch the wrinkles covering my face.

I'm only 55, yet time has been so cruel...

"Dr. Lin, I heard next week is Dr. Chen's retirement party. Could you propose divorce to her publicly then?"

"But... Claire has been a backbone of the hospital. We need a reason."

"I have a great idea. You can tell everyone that Claire, the renowned gynecologist, is actually a hen that can't lay eggs!"

Amber's words exploded in my ears, shattering my last line of defense.

I stared hard at Lucas, the man I had shared a bed with for thirty years.

I searched his face for any hint of hesitation or reluctance.

But there was none.

His eyes were filled with Amber, and he even chuckled in agreement, "Alright, whatever you say."

My heart plummeted to rock bottom.

For Lucas, I had given up my right to motherhood, willingly remaining childless for all these years;

For Lucas, I had abandoned my beloved clinical practice to focus on theoretical research, just to help him secure his position as hospital director;

For Lucas, I had given up promotions and turned down offers to stay on after retirement, planning to step back and take care of his health.

But in the end, was he going to humiliate me like this?

That was Amber, the very woman who had caused a medical accident and framed my father, leading to his death in disgrace!

Lucas knew all of this, yet he still betrayed me and chose Amber.

He was even willing to publicly destroy my decades-long reputation to please her!

Tears blurred my vision as I leaned against the wall, gasping for air. With trembling hands, I took out my phone and called the German hospital, accepting their offer to stay on after retirement.

As I hung up, thunder rumbled in the sky, and a light rain began to fall.

My phone vibrated again, Lucas's name flashing on the screen.

"Claire, are you off work yet?"

Today was our 30th wedding anniversary, and Lucas had made early dinner reservations to celebrate.

"It's about to rain. Shall I come pick you up?" he added when I didn't respond, playing the role of a caring husband.

In reality, whenever I had asked him to pick me up before, he always had excuses - either in a meeting or performing surgery.

How many late nights had I fumbled my way home after a night shift, only to find him sound asleep?

Back then, I foolishly comforted myself, thinking he was just too tired to care for me, stubbornly clinging to a delusion.

"No need, I'll take a cab."

"Alright, be safe on your way. Don't be late."

I hid in the stairwell, watching the two of them leave arm in arm.

I noticed how Lucas tilted his umbrella more towards Amber and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

So Lucas did know how to care for someone; he just never cared for me.

All he would say to me was not to be late.

"Dr. Chen, long time no see~"

Amber was the first to stand and greet me, a gentle smile on her face, the picture of serenity.

"What is she doing here?!" I demanded, despite having mentally prepared myself.

I had thought Lucas was just dropping Amber off at home, but he had actually brought her to our anniversary dinner!

Was Lucas so eager to show her off? On our wedding anniversary, no less?