The night I almost died during labor, my husband, Dylan, was off on a honeymoon abroad with Serena, his first love. With tears blurring my vision, I begged him to take me to the hospital. But he just shoved me away with disgust. “Why are you being so dramatic? It’s just giving birth. Serena can’t handle stress, I need to be with her to help her unwind and recover.” When I woke up in the hospital, my eight-month-old baby was gone. Half a month later, Dylan returned with Serena, only to find I had changed. At three in the morning, he asked me, still fragile from my recovery, to perform a surgery for Serena. I nodded. During a research conference, he demanded I give my three-year thesis to Serena. Without a word, I handed it over. When he even told me to give up my Head of Department position to Serena, I calmly resigned from the hospital. Serena, nestled in Dylan’s arms, looked smug. “See, Dylan? Just put Chloe through a little hardship, and she’ll listen to everything you say.” Dylan looked utterly pleased. “If you’d just listened to me sooner, you wouldn’t have had such a complicated birth. But since you’re being so understanding, I might consider giving you another child.” But what Dylan didn’t know was, we were no longer husband and wife. And I had already accepted the incredible offer from the Swiss Medical Research Institute. In three days, I would leave this place, never to see him again.
“There’s an emergency, high-stakes surgery in Ocean City, next door. Serena isn’t feeling well, but this patient is extremely important. You need to handle it.” Dylan, with a pale-faced Serena wrapped in his arms, spoke to me in a commanding tone. I was lying in my hospital bed, an IV drip still in my arm, and the incision from my C-section throbbed with a dull pain, a constant reminder that I was still in my postpartum recovery period and barely able to move. “I just had a complicated birth half a month ago. I’m still recovering, and my stitches are still bleeding. I can’t…” Dylan’s brows furrowed in anger. He slammed his hand on the table, pointing at me and snapping. “You’re just jealous of Serena, that’s why you don’t want to help her. These are all excuses! And if you hadn’t been so disobedient during your pregnancy, you wouldn’t have lost the baby!” “Stop being so difficult! This is a work requirement! It’s an emergency! Serena is genuinely unwell, and for the patient’s sake, you *must* go! That’s an order!” Serena, nestled in Dylan’s arms, looked at me with a taunting, mocking smile. Just then, a SnapChat message popped up from Maya, Serena’s assistant. “Bring everything needed for the surgery. I expect to see you in thirty minutes.” Maya’s demanding tone made my brows furrow. A wave of desolation and sorrow washed over me. Maya used to be *my* assistant. She’d been with me since she graduated. I’d done everything I could to help her, both in her work and personal life. I thought we were like sisters. But it turned out she was just trying to curry favor with Dylan. When Serena was suddenly appointed to our department, Maya volunteered to be her assistant. Dylan’s changing attitude towards me also made Maya and everyone else in the department lose respect for me, even brazenly bossing me around. Dylan had unilaterally given Serena my clinical thesis, which I’d spent three years researching. Furious, I confronted him about it. Dylan just shrugged, utterly nonchalant. “Chloe, you got what you wanted – you married me, and you became Head of Department because of me. You’re thriving both professionally and personally, while Serena has nothing. What’s the big deal about giving her your paper? Can’t you just be compliant for once?” I couldn’t accept that three years of my blood, sweat, and tears were just given away. I contacted the publisher, demanding a change of author. But when Dylan found out, he took all my research notes, making it look like I had plagiarized. It became a blemish on my academic record, leading to my suspension from the hospital and the scorn of everyone. I frantically confronted Dylan, but he threatened me with divorce if I didn’t admit to it. Such incidents happened countless times between Dylan and me. At first, I would break down in agony, questioning if I truly was as selfish and petty as Dylan claimed. But now, my heart was numb with pain. Driven by my professional duty, the instinct to save a life, I gritted my teeth and carried on. Every bump during the flight was torture. Cold sweat soaked my clothes, and I had to secretly take strong painkillers. The surgery lasted eight grueling hours. My legs were trembling, and the gauze on my abdomen was already soaked crimson with seeping blood. When the last stitch was done, and I saw the patient’s vital signs stabilize, my vision went black, and I was caught by a nurse from Ocean City Hospital. She looked at my pale, haggard face and said indignantly, “Dr. Chloe, you’re too dedicated. You’re in this state, why isn’t your husband stopping you from working?” Right. My husband not only didn’t stop me but commanded me to leave my hospital bed and risk my life for Serena’s sake. Thinking of this, my heart felt like it was pierced by an ice pick, hurting even more than the surgical wound on my abdomen. But I’d grown used to such things ever since Serena returned from abroad. At first, I thought it was just Dylan caring for a junior colleague. But after seeing his inappropriate actions with Serena, I knew their relationship was far from simple. Whether it was my prenatal check-ups or my difficult labor, Serena would call Dylan away from me, even if she just had a minor bump or bruise. I cried frantically, asking Dylan why, but he just told me impatiently that Serena had taken the blame for a failed surgery for him back in college. Dylan would always watch me break down with cold eyes, then console me by saying, “My relationship with Serena is strictly professional. She’s struggling with her mental health right now, so of course, I need to take care of her. Besides, I just want you to be more compliant.” And after I cried countless times, Dylan stopped explaining or comforting. Instead, he would yell at me, “You’re insane! You really need to go see a therapist! Can’t you just be compliant for once?” Ten years of a relationship had amounted to him ignoring my breakdowns and driving me to the brink of madness. It wasn’t until Serena repeatedly sent me intimate photos of them, trying to provoke me and force me away, that the truth finally hit me. It was time for Dylan and me to end this.
Stepping out of the operating room, I felt all the air leave my lungs, and I slowly sank to the floor, leaning against the wall. Dylan, who was at the doorway, saw me and started walking towards me, reaching out to help me up. Then his phone rang. “Dylan, I feel so awful. Can you come see me?” Serena’s fragile voice floated from the phone. Dylan looked at me, hesitating, a flicker of worry in his eyes. But his attention was completely snatched away by Serena’s pained gasp on the call. “Chloe, wait here for me. I’ll come pick you up after I’ve settled Serena.” “Don’t wander off. Your body can’t handle it.” I watched coldly as Dylan withdrew his hand and rushed out. When Dylan’s figure disappeared down the corridor, I stood up, resigned, leaning on the wall as I walked out. I knew I wouldn’t be waiting for Dylan. He had forgotten me countless times because of Serena. I decided to take the train back myself. On the way, I closed my eyes, exhausted. This relationship was, ultimately, just a farce. My phone vibrated. It was a SnapChat story from Serena, and she’d even tagged me. A perfectly composed selfie, with the VIP suite of some exclusive club as the background. Serena looked radiant and shy, her makeup flawless. A stark contrast to my current state. Serena was holding a rich, restorative broth, smiling sweetly at the camera. And wrapped around her waist was a hand, long and slender, with a wedding ring engraved with “C.C.S.” on its ring finger. The caption read: “Just a little under the weather, but *someone* was so worried he insisted on personally watching me finish my health tonic~ And he’s taking me to see the latest movie too! Thank you, my dearest Dylan.” I stared intently at Dylan’s hand, with my wedding ring, wrapped around Serena’s waist. I stared at Serena’s smug, triumphant face. I knew then that her “not feeling well” was just another act to win Dylan’s sympathy. And Dylan wasn’t stupid. He knew exactly what was going on, or perhaps he simply didn’t care about the truth. He enjoyed Serena’s dependence on him, and he enjoyed the deep love I, the fool, had for him. For this twisted play, he was willing to sacrifice me, his wife, still recovering in a hospital bed, then comfortably accompany his “junior colleague” to drink health tonics and watch movies. “Ha, Chloe. You’re truly pathetic.” I tilted my head back, feeling the pain and weakness radiating through my body. My gaze lingered on the glowing phone screen, fixed on Dylan’s wedding ring. The name etched for love now felt so ironic. Serena and I were never a choice for him in his heart, not after ten years of dating and three years of marriage. Only because he was so sure I’d never leave him, Serena always came first. The last flicker of hope I held for Dylan was extinguished. I took off my matching wedding ring and placed it on the table. This time, I wouldn’t wait for Dylan to turn back. I opened the email with the offer from the Swiss Medical Research Institute and didn’t hesitate to send my acceptance. With my qualifications and successful clinical record, even with a blemish on my academic history, many hospitals were still eager to recruit me. Years ago, I’d stayed by Dylan’s side to help him grow into one of the hospital’s leaders. Now, I’d shot myself in the foot. I called my lawyer to prepare the divorce papers. I didn’t want anything from our life here. I just wanted to completely cut ties with Dylan. In three days, I would leave and start a new life.
Back at the home Dylan and I shared, standing in the corner where the baby crib used to be, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. The burning pain from my abdominal wound couldn’t make me ignore the deeper heartache within. I held the printed job offer from a top hospital and my plane ticket for three days later, lost in thought. Dylan pushed the door open. Seeing me, his face registered a fleeting awkwardness. He then completely ignored my ashen face, his gaze falling instead on the document folder in my hand. “Doesn’t your wound hurt? Why are you moving around? Get back in bed! What are you holding?” I casually hid the documents behind my back. “Surgery case files for archiving. I need to send them back to Ocean City Hospital for备案.” Dylan didn’t seem to doubt my words. He solicitously helped me to the bedroom, settled me on the bed, and tucked in the covers. “Back in Ocean City, Serena wasn’t feeling well, so I didn’t have time to pick you up. I was actually just about to leave, but you came back.” I stared into his eyes and gave a short, bitter laugh. “You didn’t have time, and you didn’t send anyone else to pick me up either.” Dylan knew he was in the wrong and didn’t reprimand my sarcasm as he usually would. Instead, he turned and went to the living room. I couldn’t be bothered with him anymore. I closed my eyes, hoping to get some rest. Not long after, a knock on the door woke me. Dylan then came into the bedroom carrying a bowl of soup. He spoke coldly, as if just completing a task. “Drink this. The doctor said you need to replenish your qi and blood.” I turned my head and saw the obvious takeout bag in the living room trash can. My blood ran cold. On our wedding day, Dylan had promised me he would always make me homemade meals. And as a doctor, Dylan had countless times stated he would never eat takeout. Yet now, he was only willing to fob me off with it. Just then, Dylan’s phone rang. He casually placed the soup bowl on the nightstand and answered Serena’s FaceTime call. Serena, looking pale on the screen, whined to Dylan, “Dylan, my chest hurts… I can’t sleep…” The background of Serena’s video was the VIP suite I had longed for during my pregnancy. When I had mentioned it to Dylan back then, he had refused, saying, “That suite is reserved for an important patient who needs treatment occasionally. Chloe, let’s just stay in a regular room.” Now I knew that Dylan’s “important patient” was none other than his Serena. Dylan’s voice suddenly softened when he heard Serena. “Be good, don’t be scared. I’ll be right back to you. Make sure you get your IV drip.” “Okay, Dylan. I’ll wait for you. I also want to eat the lotus root and pork rib soup you make.” “Alright, alright, I’ll make it for you, my sweet little foodie.” Their flirting and sweet-talking, if you didn’t know the situation, would make you think they were a very loving couple. A sudden cramp in my abdomen made me cough out in pain. Dylan seemed to snap back to reality, glancing at me guiltily, then comforting Serena before hanging up. “What’s wrong, Chloe? Does it hurt again?” “I’m fine. If you have something to do, just go.” Dylan didn’t expect me to actually tell him to go be with Serena. His eyes lit up with delight. “Chloe, you finally understand me. You’ve finally become compliant.” “Even in her hospital room, Serena is still worried about you, helping organize your miscarriage medical records. She really cares about you. You’re too weak for high-intensity work right now. Let her take over your Head of Department position.” I snapped my eyes open, staring at Dylan. My nails dug into my palms. I searched his eyes for any trace of reluctance, but found nothing. Could Dylan really be so heartless, giving away the position I’d pursued for years with just a single sentence to Serena? Then, remembering the Swiss Medical Research Institute, I withdrew my gaze, looked at the ceiling, and nodded. Dylan’s eyes immediately lit up. His voice filled with satisfaction. “That new drug development project you were in charge of before your complicated birth? She’ll take it over and publish it. She needs accomplishments to gain respect.” That project was the culmination of my blood, sweat, and tears. Dylan had once convinced all the group leaders to support me unconditionally, but now it was all hers too. Fine. If I’m going to cut ties, I’ll make it a clean break. I swallowed the bitterness in my heart, my voice hoarse. “Okay.” Dylan was overjoyed. He habitually reached out to caress my cheek. I stretched out my hand and brushed his away. He suddenly grabbed my wrist, his fingers squeezing tightly as he stared at my empty ring finger. “Where’s the ring? Where’s your wedding ring? You know what that symbolizes!” Of course I knew. It was the symbol of our promise to be together forever. But he had broken that promise long ago, so why blame me? Why act so devoted now? I spoke numbly. “My hand swelled after the miscarriage. I took it off. Lost it.” Dylan furiously threw my hand away. “You lost the baby, and you can’t even hold onto this one memory? Serena still cherishes the good luck charm I gave her three years ago, keeping it by her bedside!” “I think you’ve truly lost your mind. You’re not fit for work anymore. I expect to see your resignation letter tomorrow.” The same rigid attitude, the same refusal to be denied. Dylan didn’t wait for my answer, striding out the door and slamming it shut. I pressed my throbbing temples, reassuring myself that it would all be over soon. The next day, I placed my resignation letter and the divorce papers together on Dylan’s desk. Still fuming, Dylan didn’t even glance at me. He picked up the resignation letter and started signing it, and naturally, the divorce papers were signed too. Dylan flung the signed documents at me, growling. “Get lost! Go home and reflect on yourself, or next time you’ll be crying and begging me to come back.” I bent down and picked up the divorce papers Dylan had signed, a mocking smile on my face. Now, I wouldn’t cry for him anymore. Serena flaunted various gifts from Dylan and her colleagues on her SnapChat. I shredded my miscarriage diagnosis report and the blood-stained surgical scrubs, then picked up my plane ticket abroad. The moment the taxi trunk closed, a message from Dylan flashed on my phone.
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “297024”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn
Leave a Reply