The PhD Foster Son and His Returning Birth Mother Chapter 1

My husband found an abandoned baby by the side of the road.

I raised the child as my own, pouring my heart and soul into his upbringing. I supported him all the way through his Ph.D., and on the day he returned from his studies abroad, my husband finally laid his cards on the table.

“How can you be so stupid?” he mocked. “I treat him better than a real son. Can’t you see why?”

I smiled, a cryptic, knowing smile.

He asked for a divorce, wanting to take our son and reunite with his lover to become a happy family of three.

“I agree,” I said, without a flicker of concern.

* * *

When Nicholas brought the baby home, he was afraid I wouldn’t accept him. He told me he’d found the infant abandoned by the roadside.

I cut him off. “You don’t have to say another word. I’ll treat him as if he were my own.”

Nicholas was thrilled. He immediately sent me a ten-thousand-dollar bonus.

I accepted it without a change in my expression. To refuse would have aroused his suspicion.

After setting the baby down, Nicholas rushed off to a meeting at his company.

I called my neighbor, Mrs. Gable, to come and watch the baby for a bit. Then I hurried to the supermarket to buy the best quality formula, stroller, and diapers.

Once I had everything, I rushed back, breathless and exhausted.

“Claire,” Mrs. Gable said, “you kept this a secret so well! I had no idea you were even pregnant.”

“He’s not mine,” I replied. “Nicholas found him.”

She laughed. “Look at you, all sweaty. Even a birth mother wouldn’t fuss this much. Found him? Don’t be silly.”

I didn’t explain. I just thanked her and busied myself with the baby.

I soon realized that formula alone wasn't enough, so I hired a wet nurse.

When Mrs. Gable heard about it, she came over to scold me. “That’s not right, you know. A baby needs his mother’s milk, or he won’t bond with you when he’s older.”

I didn’t want to explain, so I just said I wasn’t producing enough milk. Mrs. Gable patiently gave me tips on how to increase my supply, like eating more pig’s trotters for protein.

I nodded along, my mind elsewhere.

Finally, she left. The baby was asleep.

I went to the window and stood there for a long time, watching the willow branches sway in the cold wind.

A perfect plan began to form in my mind.