Chapter 1

While recovering after giving birth, I came across a post online.

"My mistress is due soon and wants to give birth abroad. My mom loves her and wants to go with her. But my wife just had a baby. How do I get my wife to let us go?"

The comments were furious, but the poster had liked one reply.

"Easy. Just tell her your mom's sick and needs treatment abroad."

I was still wondering who the unlucky wife was when my husband walked in with a fake medical report.

"Honey, my mom has a heart problem. She needs urgent surgery overseas. I'll have to go with her."

Looking at the report in my husband Lucas's hand, my heart trembled as that post involuntarily came to mind.

It had to be a coincidence, right?

Lucas was famous for loving his wife devotedly!

During my pregnancy, he made me different meals every day.

When my body ached during pregnancy, no matter how tired he was after work, he would massage me until I fell asleep.

The day I went into labor, he paced anxiously outside the delivery room.

After the baby was born, everyone gathered around the child smiling, but he alone gripped my hand tightly, crying his eyes out.

"I'm sorry you had to suffer."

After the baby was born, he turned down all his work and stayed home with my mother-in-law Rachel to take care of me and the child.

During the day, Rachel did the housework.

He fed the baby, changed diapers, and gave baths.

He even moved to the guest room with the baby so I could sleep well at night.

How could a husband who pampered me like this possibly do such a thing?

I hesitated, then instinctively asked.

"Wasn't she in good health?"

"Why does she suddenly need urgent surgery?"

Lucas shook his head, his face full of anxiety.

"I don't know either. Mom's been saying her chest felt uncomfortable these past few days, so I took her to the hospital for a checkup. The doctor said her condition is serious and she needs surgery right away."

"After that, she'll need two months of recovery."

Two months.

Just enough time to care for a woman through childbirth and recovery.

My heart sank, but I still probed tentatively.

"I know the best internal medicine doctor abroad. Should I contact them for you?"

Lucas waved his hands hurriedly. "No, no need."

Seeming to realize his overreaction, he immediately recovered, gripping my hand tightly with a guilty expression.

"Winnie, you just gave birth. I already feel terrible that Mom and I can't stay here to take care of you."

"How could I let you worry about these things?"

As he said this, Lucas's eyes were red.

As if he felt incredibly sorry for me.

But my gaze was fixed on his hand.

On his right hand, between thumb and index finger, there was a scar.

Identical to the profile picture of the person who had posted.

If I remembered correctly, this scar was from three months ago.

I had just finished a prenatal checkup, and Lucas was taking me out of the hospital.

A large unleashed German Shepherd suddenly charged at me, teeth bared.

Without thinking, Lucas blocked me and fought the dog with his bare hands.

In the end, the dog bit off a piece of flesh from his hand.

Blood flowed freely. Lucas had seventeen stitches.

I was heartbroken and kept wiping away tears, but Lucas smiled and comforted me.

"Don't cry. As long as you and the baby are safe, this scar is worth it. Even if my whole hand was ruined."

The scar that once symbolized his love now stabbed painfully at my heart.

I reached out and touched the scar between Lucas's thumb and finger.

"Does your scar still hurt?"

Lucas froze, then curled his hand.

"It stopped hurting long ago. Why do you suddenly ask?"

I lowered my eyes and said softly.

"I just suddenly remembered the past."

"You were so good to me and the baby back then."

Lucas smiled indulgently and gripped my hand tightly.

"Silly, am I not good to you now?"

"From the moment you got pregnant, I swore I'd protect you and the baby with my life."

As he spoke, his eyes reddened, and he said with utmost sincerity.

"Winnie, I know I shouldn't leave you at a time like this."

"But she's my mother. She raised me alone. I can't bear to let her go abroad for surgery by herself."

"You understand, don't you?"

Looking at his expectant, anxious eyes, I nodded.

"Of course."

"Her condition is so serious. How could I stop you from being a filial son?"