"I didn't expect it either… you've become a doctor now," Elisabeth said quietly as she sat down.
Darren gave a faint smile while opening her medical file.
"Please, have a seat," he said politely.
"I didn't expect it either… that you're married now."
Elisabeth nodded briefly.
"Yes… that's how life goes," she replied flatly.
Darren glanced at the ring on her finger.
"Is your husband good to you?" he asked softly.
Elisabeth lowered her gaze for a moment.
"Yes… he's very good," she said, though it was a lie.
Darren frowned slightly.
"Then why didn't he bring you here?" he asked.
"You came to the hospital alone?"
Elisabeth exhaled slowly.
"He's busy with work," she answered shortly.
"And I came here for a medical consultation, not to discuss personal matters, Doctor."
Darren gave a small smile.
"I was just greeting my high school girlfriend," he said casually.
"Is that wrong?"
Elisabeth looked at him firmly.
"Our relationship ended when you left the country," she said.
Darren slowly shook his head.
"I never broke up with you, Elisabeth."
Elisabeth took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions.
"That's enough," she said coldly.
"Don't bring up the past. It's over."
Darren nodded and returned to a professional tone.
"Alright. Let's focus on your medical concern."
He looked at the notes.
"So your complaint is that your breast milk is still flowing heavily even though your baby passed away two days ago during delivery, correct?" Darren asked professionally.
Elisabeth nodded.
"Yes, that's correct," she said.
"I've been pumping my milk and even donating it to a milk bank… but it's still coming out heavily."
Darren nodded in understanding.
"That condition is actually quite normal medically," he explained.
"Your body is still in the lactation phase after giving birth. The hormone prolactin is still high, which means milk production continues."
He looked at Elisabeth more carefully.
"Are you currently experiencing severe stress?" he asked.
Elisabeth paused slightly.
"Why are you asking that?"
"Because emotional stress, postpartum trauma, or the loss of a baby can also affect hormone levels and cause milk production to remain high," Darren explained calmly.
Then his voice softened.
"In addition, your body hasn't fully adjusted to the loss yet. Biologically, your body still 'thinks' the baby is there and needs to be fed."
"So… what should I do?" Elisabeth asked quietly, her fingers nervously gripping the edge of the chair.
Darren leaned back slightly, maintaining a calm professional tone.
"There are several medical options we can consider," he explained.
"First, we need to determine whether you want to gradually stop the milk production or manage the flow until it naturally decreases."
Elisabeth frowned slightly.
"What do you mean by that?"
Darren folded his hands on the desk.
"After childbirth, the body normally continues producing breast milk for some time because of hormones like prolactin and oxytocin," he explained.
"If the milk is not expressed at all, the breast may become engorged, which can cause pain, swelling, and even infection such as mastitis."
Elisabeth looked worried.
"I have been pumping it," she said softly.
"But it still keeps coming out a lot."
"That's understandable," Darren replied.
"Pumping frequently can actually stimulate the breasts to produce more milk, because the body interprets it as the baby still needing to feed."
Elisabeth sighed tiredly.
"Then what should I do… just let it hurt?"
Darren shook his head gently.
"No. There are safer ways to manage it," he said.
"You can reduce pumping gradually instead of stopping suddenly. Only release a small amount of milk to relieve pressure, not completely empty the breast."
He continued explaining carefully.
"You can also apply cold compresses to reduce swelling and inflammation. Wearing a supportive bra can also help reduce discomfort."
Elisabeth nodded slowly, trying to understand.
"Is there any medication?" she asked.
"Yes, there are medications that can suppress prolactin and reduce milk production," Darren said.
"However, we usually prescribe them only when the milk production is excessive or causing severe discomfort."
He looked at her with concern.
"Besides the physical treatment, your emotional condition is also important," he added gently.
"Losing a baby is a traumatic experience. If you feel overwhelmed, it's completely normal."
Elisabeth lowered her eyes.
"So this… will eventually stop?" she asked quietly.
"Yes," Darren answered reassuringly.
"Your body will gradually reduce milk production once the hormonal levels stabilize."
Then he added softly,
"But it may take some time. Your body just needs time to heal."
"So… that's how it is," Elisabeth said quietly, still processing his explanation.
Darren looked at her for a moment before speaking carefully.
"I also heard something from one of my colleagues who assisted during your delivery," he said softly.
"They said your baby passed away after an argument with your husband… because he was having an affair."
Elisabeth immediately lifted her head, her eyes sharp.
"Why are you bringing up my personal life, Doctor?" she said coldly.
"I came here for a medical consultation."
Darren exhaled slowly.
"I'm not trying to interfere in your life," he replied calmly.
"I just want to offer a possible solution."
Elisabeth frowned.
"A solution?" she repeated.
"What kind of solution?"
Darren was silent for a moment before continuing.
"My wife passed away yesterday after giving birth," he said quietly.
"She had complications after the delivery."
Elisabeth looked shocked.
"My baby girl survived… but she lost her mother," Darren continued.
"And right now, she needs breast milk."
The room fell silent for a few seconds.
Darren then looked at Elisabeth seriously.
"I know this may sound unusual," he said.
"But I want to make you an offer."
Elisabeth looked at him in confusion.
"What kind of offer?"
Darren took a deep breath.
"I want to offer you a contract marriage for two years," he said slowly.
"You would become a wet nurse for my daughter."
Elisabeth fell silent.
"You can continue expressing the milk your body is producing," Darren continued calmly.
"And perhaps… taking care of my baby might help ease the pain of losing your own child."
He looked at her seriously.
"Think of it as a mutual arrangement," he said.
"My daughter receives the breast milk she needs… and you won't have to endure the pain of milk continuing to build up with nowhere to go."