The Final Bouquet: Leaving My Cold Husband

I have once spent three whole years winning over the untouchable Keith Reed. I have also paid the price by sacrificing my whole career just so I can become the envied Mrs. Reed of my own will. But on our fifth wedding anniversary, I have decided to file for divorce. My best friend, Hailey Walker, is my lawyer. She repeatedly asks me, "Are you sure? You turned down an offer from a world-renowned fashion magazine just to get married to him, but now, you're telling me you want to file for divorce?" Suppressing the bitterness in my heart, I say, "Please help me draft a divorce agreement. The sooner it's done, the better." She sounds bewildered. "But why?" Looking at the extravagant bouquet of black datura on the dining table, I give my final answer. "It all began with a bouquet." Chapter 1 When I received the bouquet of flowers earlier that day, I was actually happy. I thought Keith Reed had finally come to his senses and prepared a surprise for our wedding anniversary. But when I read the card that came with the flowers, my smile froze on my face. It read, "Keith, thank you for coming all this way to perform my aunt's surgery off the books. My family and I are extremely grateful. I've chosen these flowers specifically for you. I think it's perfect for 'us'. I hope you'll like it. Yours, Sonia Peterson." My grip slipped, and the bouquet crashed onto the floor. Three years ago, Dad had fallen gravely ill. The doctor said he had to undergo surgery as soon as possible. But the doctors at the county hospital lacked the medical expertise for the procedure, and Dad was too weak to handle a long-distance transfer to another hospital. I was crying as I begged Keith to come to my hometown and perform Dad's surgery. But he told me, "Our hospital strictly forbids unsanctioned surgeries. Work is work. I can't break the rules for personal relationships." In the end, Dad died in the ambulance during the transfer. I would carry that regret for the rest of my life. At Dad's funeral, I specifically chose the black datura to place on his casket. It suited Dad perfectly. After all, the flower symbolized unpredictable death and undying love. But as it turned out, there was nothing unpredictable about it. I had countless nightmares since then. Whenever I recalled Dad's gray hair as he lay dying, I would cry so much that my whole body shook. I repeatedly convinced myself not to hate Keith for it. After all, everyone had principles they would defend at all costs. But as it turned out, rules could be broken, and principles could also be compromised. The only problem was, I wasn't worth the trouble. After finalizing the matters regarding the divorce with my best friend, Hailey Walker, I ended the call. I calmly took down the ribbons and balloons I had put up beforehand. Then, I tossed them all into the trash can. After that, I typed in the search bar on the computer, "Ridgecrest Highway Solo Drive Guide". Photos immediately popped up on the screen. There were snowcapped mountains, grassy plains, enormous lakes, and a winding road that stretched into the horizon. I had once made a promise with Dad that someday, we would drive along Ridgecrest Highway with our cameras ready. After Dad's death, Keith tried to comfort me and said he would take Dad's place in fulfilling that promise. But that year, Keith had just been promoted to attending physician. He was so busy that he couldn't even make time for meals. He needed a full-time wife to take care of him and handle other trivial matters for him. So, I closed down my own studio and changed careers from a photographer to the wife of Keith Reed. That year, I won a national photography award and received offers from many top-tier companies. My future was looking up. But in the end, I still gave it all up without hesitation. Later on, Keith became the youngest chief of cardiothoracic surgery, and he was a renowned expert in his field. I once thought that my sacrifices and contributions were worth it. But now that I thought about it, I was just pathetic. The sound of the door being unlocked interrupted my thoughts. Keith had come home. He took off his coat and glanced at the empty dining table. Then, he frowned. "Where's dinner?" I stared at the computer screen, and I didn't even look up as I answered, "I didn't feel like it. I'm exhausted." His frown deepened. "You can't possibly be as exhausted as me." Before I could answer, his phone rang. He glanced at the incoming call display, then picked up almost immediately. "What's wrong?" A meek female voice rang out from the other end of the phone. His tense expression visibly relaxed, and I could even spy a hint of a smile on his face. He said, "Don't worry. I'll be right there." I could hear hoots and cheers of his hospital colleagues coming from the other end of the line. Someone said, "Oh, Ms. Peterson is asking for help again." Another person said, "Please hurry, Dr. Reed. The head nurse can't hang on any longer." There was continuous laughter, and it sounded like a relaxed atmosphere over there. I could even pick up some sense of excitement from playing matchmaker. I was Keith's legal wife, but at that moment, I felt like an outsider. After ending the call, Keith grabbed the coat he had taken off and put it back on. I couldn't help asking, "Was it Sonia?" He froze for a second. "Something's come up with a patient, and I'm the only one she can turn to. This is a serious matter, so don't read too much into it." With that, he turned around and headed outside. I watched him leave. Last week, he had also rushed out the door like this. He told me he had to attend a medical conference for three days. Thinking back on it, I realized it wasn't a medical conference at all. He had traveled 300 miles just to perform surgery on Sonia's aunt. "Keith," I called out to him. He turned around. "What is it?" I gazed at him and asked quietly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" Without another thought, he responded, "International Children's Day?" I put on a wry smile. He had really forgotten that it was our fifth wedding anniversary. Still, I was glad that it would be the last. "Never mind." I looked away. "All the best for work." Keith looked at me. He seemed to have realized something. He went silent for a moment before asking stiffly, "I'll come back as soon as I'm done. Do you want me to get supper for you?" I shook my head. "It's okay." He wouldn't have to do that ever again. After Keith left, I changed my clothes and went to the restaurant I had booked a week in advance. The restaurant was full of couples, and I was the only lone customer. The waiter asked, "Miss, when will your partner be here?" I smiled. "He's not coming." He wouldn't come ever again. After dinner, I called a car dealership. "I'd like an SUV with better specs, please, one that can handle Ridgecrest Highway. My budget is around 120,000 dollars." The manager told me there was a model that met my requirements, but it was currently out of stock due to its high popularity. They needed a week to ship it in from another branch. Seven days was enough for me to leave the past behind and deal with this messy marriage. I replied, "I'll take that, then. I'll pick up the car next week." After ending the call, I pulled up the browser and continued looking up solo drive guides for Ridgecrest Highway. As I swiped through the photos, I felt like the dream I had been putting off for five years was finally becoming more vivid. Soon, Hailey called to tell me she had drafted the divorce agreement and sent it to my inbox. I responded in a low voice, "Okay." She was silent for a moment, but then she couldn't stand it anymore. "Clara, you love him, don't you? Are you really going to just let it go?" I asked her in return, "Have you ever seen Keith compromising his principles and throwing caution to the wind for someone?" "No," she replied honestly. "I have." Gazing at the boundless night outside the window, I put on a forlorn smile. "But it wasn't for me." Chapter 2 I had just ended my call with Hailey when I heard the restaurant manager's voice coming from the entrance of the restaurant. "Dr. Reed, the table you've reserved is ready. This way, please." I was so sensitive to the term "Dr. Reed" that I instinctively looked up in that direction. It really was Keith, and Sonia was right next to him as they made their way into the restaurant. Keith had already taken off his white coat, and the sleeves of his black shirt were rolled up to his forearms. He looked a little fatigued. Sonia stood next to him, her head tilted as she said something to him. I had no idea what she said, but Keith actually smiled. I watched the scene, stunned. I felt like someone had just stabbed me in the chest. Back then, whenever he got home from work, I would always chat with him. I was eager to share all the new things I had seen and experienced that day. But he had always looked uninterested. He didn't respond much, let alone smile at me. I could only convince myself that he was so exhausted from work that he didn't have the energy to play along with me. But now, I finally realized that he would still smile even if he were tired. He just chose not to smile at me. "Clara?" Sonia was the first to notice me. She hurried over to me and put on a perfectly measured smile. "What are you doing here all alone?" I didn't answer. She didn't seem to mind. Instead, she started explaining, "There had been a major accident today, and there were a lot of casualties. Keith and I have been buried in work since this afternoon. We've just completed the last operation, and we're absolutely starving. "Keith suddenly remembered you love the pan-seared cod here, so he insisted on bringing me to this place. He said he can get a portion for you to go when we're done." With that, she turned to look at Keith and put on a charming smile. "Keith really loves you, you know? No matter what he does, he'll always think of you. I really wish I were you. If only someone loved me like that!" I thought, "He really loves me? Would someone who really loved me forget that it's our wedding anniversary today? Would someone who really loved me dine at a romantic restaurant with another woman in the middle of the night? "Would someone who really loved me travel 300 miles to perform off-the-books surgery for someone else's aunt, but refuse to even try to save my dying father?" At that thought, I looked up at Sonia and said in a low voice, "How he feels about me isn't really your concern, is it?" The smile gradually faded from Sonia's face, and her eyes instantly reddened. "I'm sorry… Was it something I said? I swear, I was just curious…" Her voice slowly grew quieter, and tears began to fall as if she had been deeply wounded. But I didn't even say anything that rude. Keith subconsciously stood in front of Sonia, blocking my line of sight. His protective gesture felt like a sharp sting for me. "Clara, you knew she didn't mean any harm, so why would you say something like that?" he asked in a low voice. "There were so many casualties today, and we're all doing our best to save them. She's the head nurse, and she has been so busy today that she didn't even have time to eat. Please just stop overreacting." The people around us chimed in, murmuring in agreement. Someone said, "Doctors and nurses really have it rough." Another person said, "He's just done with an operation, and he's still considerate enough to get food for his wife. Isn't that enough for her?" Someone else said, "Some people are just too possessive. It's terrifying how she acts like she owns him." The comments kept coming one after another. Everyone was on their side, and they had painted me as a heinous villain. I was tired. They were completely shameless about it, and I didn't even get the chance to explain myself. I was done playing their game. Grabbing my bag, I turned around and walked off. When I was passing by Keith, he suddenly grabbed my wrist. His grip was so strong that it made me frown in discomfort. "Let go," I demanded. Keith had a foul look on his face. "Apologize to Sonia first." I thought I was hearing things. "What?" Keith repeated, "You put her in an uncomfortable position with that comment. Apologize to her." I looked at Sonia, who was standing behind Keith with reddened eyes. She looked like a frightened little bunny. Meanwhile, Keith was standing in front of her, guarding her against me as if I were some sort of terrifying beast. I scoffed. "Then tell me, Kevin. Have I actually said anything wrong? Our relationship is between you and me. What does your colleague have to do with that?" I emphasized the word "colleague" on purpose. Keith froze. He actually couldn't offer an answer to that. I took the chance to pull my hand out of his grip. Then, I walked out the door without looking back. Behind me, Keith was suppressing his anger as he shouted, "Clara Watson! Don't you dare leave this place without apologizing!" I never broke stride. I didn't even take a glance back as I walked right out the doors of the restaurant. I was immediately greeted with a cool night breeze, which blew away all the resentment in my heart. I suddenly realized that if I just took that single step forward, nothing would be able to stop me. Once I got home, I printed out the divorce agreement. Everything would be over by next Saturday. Chapter 3 I didn't sleep at all that night. Instead, I spent the whole night packing my things. Continuous work was the only thing I could use to distract myself from the painful emptiness in my chest. When it was almost dawn, I opened the door to our storage room and dug out the photography equipment that I hadn't touched in years. I picked up the camera and pressed the power button. There was a faint startup sound, and the screen came back to life. At that instant, I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I thought, "Thank goodness it's still working. It's still not too late." With the camera in my hands, I returned to the living room. I was halfway through organizing my things when my phone rang. It was the real estate agent. "Ms. Watson, I've already talked to the owner about the house you and your husband viewed last week. If all goes well, you'll be able to sign the contract next weekend." I stopped what I was doing. I almost forgot. A while ago, Keith got promoted, and his salary was quite substantial. He said our current house was too small and wouldn't be the best fit for us if we had a child in the future. So, he wanted to get a bigger one. He was the one who suggested the idea. But throughout the process, be it viewing properties, selecting houses, contacting agents, comparing floor plans, or calculating loans, I was the only one actively contributing. He only accompanied me for a viewing once. That day, I excitedly brought him to see what would be the children's room in the future. I asked him what style he'd like the room to be in. But he just kept his head lowered as he stared at his phone. He answered half-heartedly, "It's nice. Just go with whatever you like." I had a clear view of his phone, and I noticed he was texting Sonia. We didn't even get to see all the rooms in the house before he got called away by Sonia. At that thought, I calmly said to the agent, "I changed my mind. I'm not buying the house." "What?" The agent was stunned. "Why not? Mr. Reed really liked the house, didn't he?" I looked down at the camera in my hands. After a short silence, I sighed. "Because we're getting divorced." Things instantly fell silent on the other end of the line. I didn't offer any more explanations as I hung up right away. By the time I was done packing up, it was already noon. I put the divorce agreement in an envelope and took it with me as I drove to the hospital. A few thin sheets of paper were enough to end our marriage of five years. As I held the document in my hand, it felt ironically light. It was lunchtime then. I figured Keith would be in his office, so I went there straight away. I raised my hand and knocked on the door, but the person who opened the door was none other than Sonia. A look of bewilderment flashed across her face. "Clara?" I instinctively looked inside to see if Keith was around. But Sonia moved into my line of sight and said in a low voice, "Keith was exhausted last night, and he was doing consultations all morning. He had just fallen asleep. What brings you here?" I looked at her. Her hair was slightly tousled, and her clothes were wrinkly. Also, she was in Keith's office right now. For some reason, I felt my stomach churn. Tightening my grip on the envelope, I forced myself to avert my gaze. "There's a document I want him to sign." Sonia looked down at the document in my hand. Then, she smiled. "Keith is really tired out, and he finally has the chance to sleep for an hour. I really wouldn't want to wake him up. Why don't you pass it to me? I'll hand it to him when he wakes up." My first instinct was to decline, but I soon realized that at that moment, I didn't want to see Keith at all. So, I handed the document to Sonia. "Thanks." With that, I turned around and left the office. The scene at the office kept replaying itself in my mind. She was in his office, and they were taking a lunch break together. It was so natural and familiar to them, as if that was how things were meant to be all along. The discomfort in my stomach grew stronger. I felt sick, like I wanted to throw up. I dashed into the bathroom. Leaning onto the sink for support, I began retching. My stomach was empty, so nothing came out. I had no idea how much time had passed, but the nausea finally went away. I splashed some cold water onto my face. I had just walked out of the restroom when I suddenly felt like the world was spinning. With no say in the matter, I ultimately passed out. By the time I came to, the smell of disinfectants invaded my nostrils. I slowly opened my eyes to find myself lying on a hospital bed. A nurse nearby let out a sigh of relief when she noticed I had woken up. "Ma'am, you're finally awake." I propped myself up on the bed, still feeling a little dizzy as I asked, "What happened to me?" Smiling, the nurse handed an examination report to me. "It's nothing serious. You just needed some rest. Also…" She paused for a moment, and her smile widened. "Congratulations, you're pregnant." Chapter 4 I tightened my grip on the report. Apparently, I had been pregnant for three weeks. The reality constructed from those few words was like a huge boulder weighing on my chest. I couldn't catch my breath. Honestly, I used to long for a child. When I caught sight of other families with children, I would always try to imagine what our child would look like. I wondered if the child would look more like Keith or me. Sadly, Keith only got busier at work, so we had been continuously delaying preparations for conception. Ironically, right after I handed Keith the divorce agreement, I was found pregnant. What bad timing. Just then, the door to the ward suddenly opened, and Keith walked in. He was holding the envelope I had asked Sonia to pass to him earlier, and he had a foul look on his face. The next second, he flung the envelope at me. Frowning, he said, "I've signed the document. Buying a house is a private matter, so don't bring anything like that to the hospital ever again. What is Sonia going to think if she sees this?" I suppressed the urge to laugh. As it turned out, he thought this was paperwork for our new home. So, he didn't even look at the contents before signing it. That worked in my favor. I wouldn't have to get into a messy argument with him. I quietly stuffed the divorce agreement into my bag. It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Noticing that I hadn't said anything, Keith softened a little. "Rest up, then. I still have work to do, so I'll be off now." Gazing at his calm expression, I couldn't help but ask, "Keith, aren't you curious why I'd be lying on a hospital bed?" Keith was taken aback for a moment. Then, he said indifferently, "It's just low blood sugar, isn't it? It's not the first time this happens, anyway. Just go home when you've recovered. You're taking up medical resources, you know." I stared at him, stunned. I felt like someone was squeezing my heart, inflicting a dull, suffocating ache. It was true that I had low blood sugar. He used to keep some candies in his pocket. Sometimes, it would be chocolate, and other times, it would be fruit candies. Whenever I wasn't feeling well, he would just stuff one in my mouth. I wasn't sure when it started, but it had been a long time since he had any candies in his pocket. Last week, when I was doing the laundry, I found a hair tie in the pocket of his white coat instead. It was light blue with a bunny accessory on it. I had seen Sonia wear it before. At that thought, I felt extremely weary. I was so exhausted that I didn't even have the energy to question him about it. Looking at Keith, I parted my lips. I was wondering how I should tell him about the child when someone opened the door to the ward. "Dr. Reed." A young doctor strode in, looking panicked. "The patient in bed number 32 isn't looking too good. The family members are very agitated, and they're threatening to hit Ms. Peterson. Please check in on them." Keith's expression shifted. Without any hesitation, he turned around and left. He didn't even spare me a single glance. Sonia Peterson had occupied both his heart and his gaze. I watched as he hurried away in anxiety. The last slivers of attachment in my heart completely disappeared. A long while later, I lowered my head and gently touched my belly. It was quite flat, and I couldn't feel anything at all, but I knew there was a child inside, the child I used to eagerly look forward to. Sadly, it was too late. I closed my eyes and made up my mind. Then, I pressed the button to call the nurse over. Tightening my grip on the examination report, I slowly said, "I'd like to get an abortion." The nurse froze. "What?" I looked out the window. The afternoon sun should be warm, but all I felt was coldness. "Now. Immediately. The sooner, the better." Chapter 5 Despite how desperate I was to get it done, the procedure was scheduled for the next morning. I had no choice but to go home first. The balcony looked beautiful under the setting sun. On the balcony were pots of gardenias, roses, succulents, hydrangeas, and the like. I had slowly but surely grown these plants over the past few years. Keith was so busy with work that he didn't have time for me, so I could only focus my attention on these plants. He probably wouldn't care for these plants after I left. It felt like a pity to let them wilt just like that. At that thought, I pulled out my phone, took a photo of the plants, and sent it to the homeowners' chat group. I sent a message. "Moving out soon, giving out free plants. First come, first served." The plants were a hit among the neighbors. In just 30 minutes, most of the balcony was already empty. After bidding the last hydrangea goodbye, I stood on the empty balcony, zoning out. I was surprised to find that letting go of things wasn't as difficult as I had imagined. After all the plants were given out, I went to the closet. Various bags were hanging on display in a glass cabinet. Most of them were gifts from Keith. I used to be overjoyed when I received them back then. But now, as I looked at them, I recalled the half-hearted expression he was wearing when he gave me the bags. In fact, he even gave me identical bags on different occasions. What a joke. I felt like the man I was in love with had always been the imaginary Keith in my mind. Now that I had an unfiltered view of the truth, I finally realized how worthless this was. I took photos of the bags and listed them on a secondhand platform. The orders came in soon enough. I managed to sell eight of the bags in one night. The once-packed closet suddenly looked quite spacious. I felt like it mirrored my heart, which was slowly getting cleared out as well. At 10:00 pm, I heard the front door being unlocked. I looked up to see Keith walking in. He had a scratch on his forehead, and his face was bruised. His right arm was covered in bandages. Sonia was right next to him, supporting him as they came in. Her eyes were reddened as if she had been crying. She said to me, "Clara, a patient's family member caused a scene today. Keith only got hurt because he was protecting me. Please take good care of him." I glanced at her and said calmly, "If you're so worried about him, you can stay and take care of him yourself." Sonia's face immediately turned red, and tears streamed down her face. "Clara, I didn't mean it like that… Keith and I are just colleagues…" Before Sonia could finish speaking, Keith's expression had already turned foul. "Clara, can you stop being so aggressive with her?" I was a little bewildered. "What's wrong with what I said?" "Sonia was kind enough to send me home. What's with the sarcastic tone?" Keith slammed the car keys onto the table, looking at me with a disappointed gaze. Sonia hastily wiped her tears. "Keith, it's not Clara's fault! I'm the one to blame. I shouldn't have sent you home. I'll leave right now." With that, she turned around and ran out. Without any hesitation, Keith immediately ran after her. The door slammed shut, and silence returned to the room. I lowered my head and continued packing. An hour later, Keith finally returned. He seemed even more upset than before. He didn't notice anything off with me, nor did he mind the empty balcony and closet. He simply asked me, "Are you happy now?" I didn't even look up. "Happy about what?" He said, "Sonia cried all the way home. She didn't even do anything. Why are you always picking on her?" I didn't stop packing. I had long gotten used to it. To him, Sonia was always the victim, and I was always the aggressive villain. After stuffing the last bag into the packing box, I got up and headed to the bedroom. I couldn't be bothered to argue. "Stop right there." Keith's voice turned cold. "No dinner again tonight?" I paused in my tracks. "There are pizza rolls in the fridge. If you seriously don't know what to do with them, just order something." Keith's expression was foul as he raised his bandaged hand. "I'm injured." I looked back at him and put on a mocking smile. "You didn't get hurt because of me. Am I supposed to return the favor in her stead?" Keith's expression darkened. A while later, he scoffed. "Fine. Clara, you're unbelievable." The next second, he stormed into the study and slammed the door, rattling the walls. I didn't even bat an eye. I had a procedure scheduled tomorrow, so I didn't have time to waste on arguing with him. After getting in bed, I soon fell asleep. This was the best night's sleep I had experienced ever since I made up my mind to file for divorce. The next morning, Hailey came over to pick me up. With her hands on the steering wheel, she couldn't help but ask again, "Have you really thought this through?" I looked down at my belly. After a long silence, I nodded slightly. "Yes." I thought, "I'm so sorry, little one. If you ever get another chance to be born, I hope your parents actually love each other." After completing the paperwork, I was brought into the operating room. The doctor was verifying the information, and the anesthetist was ready as well. Just then, a familiar figure entered the room. When I looked up and met the person's gaze, I felt chills running down my spine. It was Sonia. She was wearing a mask and a sterile surgical gown as she stood right next to the doctor. Sensing my gaze, she didn't seem surprised at all as a hint of a smile appeared in her clear gaze. Chapter 6 As soon as I realized it was Sonia, my whole body stiffened. I quickly said, "I want a different nurse." I instinctively tried to sit up, but the doctor held me down. "Stop making a fuss. Ms. Peterson is one of the best nurses in our department. Other patients don't even get the chance to have her on their surgical team. You're lucky she came over to help you herself." I was going to say something, but the anesthetist was already coming over with the needle. "Relax. Just take a nap, and everything will be over." The cool liquid slowly spread through my veins. I started to lose consciousness. The last thing I saw before I blacked out was Sonia standing under the surgical light, staring at me with a sinister gaze. I didn't know how much time had passed, but I was woken up by the pain. There was a severe, heavy pain in my lower abdomen, as if something was flowing out ceaselessly. I opened my eyes. The ward was empty save for Sonia, who was writing something down in my chart. "I don't feel too good," I said in a weak voice. Sonia came over and took a glance. She seemed calm as she said, "That's normal. It always happens after surgeries. Just rest, and you'll be fine." With that, she continued writing in my chart. But as time ticked by, the dizziness only grew stronger. I even had difficulty breathing. I struggled to raise my hand. "Please…" Sonia finally looked up, her eyebrows slightly creased as she said, "Don't worry. It's normal to feel weak after surgery. We'll keep you under observation for a while." With that, she turned around and left. I lay on the hospital bed, my consciousness gradually fading. I was in a daze when someone barged in. "Clara!" It was Hailey. By then, I was too weak to even speak. I could only grip her hand as hard as I could manage. Looking down at the bedsheets, Hailey immediately screamed, "Doctor! Get the doctor! She's bleeding!" The ward instantly descended into chaos. Footsteps sounded from all sides. Someone shouted, "Her blood pressure's crashing!" Another person urged, "Get on it, now!" Someone barked, "Get an IV going!" It was all a confusing cacophony to me. Then, I completely lost consciousness. By the time I woke up again, it was already evening. I was the only person left in the ward. I overheard a fierce argument coming from the other side of the door. "You call this handling it properly?" It was Hailey's voice. I never knew she could get so furious. "She was going into shock from blood loss! What would've happened if I hadn't noticed it in time? Is this how you take care of your patients?" There was silence for a moment, then Sonia's sobbing voice rang out. "I'm sorry… I really thought it was just a normal phenomenon… Many patients went through the same thing before… I didn't mean for this to happen…" Hailey was so mad that her voice was shaking. "You didn't mean for this to happen? You think you can just say that and walk away? She almost lost her life!" Just then, a familiar voice rang out. "Enough." My breath caught in my throat. It was Keith. "Keith…" As if she had finally found someone to lean on, Sonia stifled a sob. "I really didn't mean to…" Keith reassured her in a low voice, "It's okay. I'll handle this." Hailey scoffed in frustration. "Handle this? How exactly are you going to handle this? She almost killed a patient!" Keith said sternly, "Ms. Peterson is one of the best nurses in this hospital. She has never made any serious mistakes in the past few years. She was observing the patient according to protocol. As of now, there is no evidence that she has been negligent in this case. I trust in her professional capabilities." Hailey was so furious that even her voice had become unrecognizable. "Keith! Do you even know who's in the ward right now?" Keith was silent for a moment. Then, he remained calm as he said, "You're Clara's friend, but that doesn't mean I'll bend the rules for your family." He thought Hailey was speaking up for her family. Hailey was panting heavily with rage, and for a long while, she couldn't utter a single word. Meanwhile, Keith had already left with Sonia. Their footsteps faded into the distance. Soon, other voices started discussing. Someone said, "Dr. Reed is so nice to Ms. Peterson. He was defending her throughout the confrontation." Another person said, "If I were Ms. Peterson, I'd marry him on the spot." Someone said, "They're a match made in heaven! They're our hospital's star doctor and nurse, after all. I'm green with envy!" Every word they said seemed to pierce right through my heart. The door to the ward opened, and Hailey came in with reddened eyes. When she realized I was awake, she immediately panicked. She hurriedly came over to me and covered my ears. "Don't listen to them. It's all nonsense." I gently pulled her hands away and smiled at her. "It's okay. I've gotten over it." Having been so close to death, there really was nothing I couldn't get over. I had just finished speaking when my phone, which was on the bedside table, suddenly vibrated. The incoming call was from Keith. Hailey's expression instantly darkened. "He still has the nerve to call you?" I was unusually calm as I answered the call. The next second, Keith's familiar voice rang out. He sounded a little displeased as he asked, "Clara, where have you run off to?" Chapter 7 "Where else would I go?" I calmly returned the question. "The gas company came by for an inspection today," Keith said in a cold voice. "No one's home, so they called me instead. Why weren't you at home?" That made sense. I thought he had finally noticed something off with me. Lowering my head, I let out a chuckle. I was laughing at myself for having such unrealistic expectations. "Why should I be at home?" I asked, "Can't I have my own matters to deal with?" For a moment, things went silent on the other end of the line. Then, Keith said matter-of-factly, "You're not even working. What matters could you possibly be dealing with?" I scoffed. "Can't I leave the house if I'm not working? Can't I have my own life, or go on a trip?" Keith's tone grew even more grave. "Clara, what's up with you lately? You stopped cooking, you're not home anymore, and you even threw a fit out of the blue. And now, you're even going on a trip on your own? Have you lost your mind?" I gazed at the evening glow through the window as I answered softly, "No, I didn't lose my mind. I only came to my senses." Keith fell silent in an instant. Some time later, he scoffed. "Fine. Keep playing your games. Since you're not going home, then I won't go home, either. Let's see who gives in first." With that, he hung up straight away. Hailey was so pissed that she almost smashed my phone. "What's the deal with that jerk? He's the head of a department, so he just needs to ask around to find out you're hospitalized. He doesn't care about you at all!" As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and she reached out to hug me. "Clara, just cry if you want to. Don't hold it in, okay?" I leaned on her shoulder and fell silent for a long while. Then, I lightly shook my head. "The tears won't come." After all, my tears had already dried up a long time ago. Three days later, I had pretty much recovered. After signing the discharge papers, I went home to get my luggage. As soon as I opened the door, I froze. Keith was actually home. As our gazes met, the air grew heavy for a moment. In the end, he was the one who broke the silence. "Finally home, huh? Where did you go on your trip?" I didn't reply. Instead, I headed straight to the bedroom, opened the cabinet, and checked my documents. Keith's voice rang out behind me. "You've always wanted to go on a road trip along Ridgecrest Highway, right? Since we just signed the papers for our new house, it's about time we get a new car, too. Let's check out some cars tomorrow. We can go on the road trip during my next leave." I froze. If I had heard those same words in the past, I would've been so excited that I wouldn't be able to sleep. But now, it was all too late. I said calmly, "It's okay." Keith frowned. "Why?" I wanted to tell him, "Because I've already bought a new car. Because no matter where I go next, you will no longer be part of the picture." But instead, I said indifferently, "Just because." Seeing how stubborn I was behaving, Keith finally ran out of patience. "Sonia kept telling me to treat you better, and this is how you react?" I scoffed. "So you'd do anything she tells you, huh? Would you jump off a cliff just because she told you to?" Keith's expression darkened. "Clara! What's gotten into you? Why are you talking like that all of a sudden?" I lowered my head and continued organizing my documents. I didn't even spare him a glance. Keith stood where he was, chest heaving violently. A while later, he scoffed. "Fine. Looks like we both need some time to cool off. I'll sleep in my office for the next few days. You'd better reflect on your actions." With that, he grabbed his coat and left, slamming the door on his way out. Throughout the whole ordeal, I didn't even look up. I waited for the door to close before slowly making my way to the bed. I took out two documents from my bag. The first document was the divorce agreement we had both signed. The second was the record of the abortion and an ultrasound photo that no longer meant anything. I arranged them neatly on the bedside table. Then, I left with my luggage in tow. I simply couldn't stand another second in this house filled with reminders of Keith. For my last night in Avenville, I decided to stay in a hotel. The next morning, I headed to the car dealership. The salesperson enthusiastically came forward to greet me. "Ms. Watson, your car is ready." I was about to sign the papers when I heard a familiar voice. "How about this one?" I turned around. Just a dozen steps away, Keith was standing next to an off-road vehicle. Sonia was right next to him, and her head was lowered as she examined the specs. The two were talking about something, then they laughed at the same time. They were totally in sync, as if they were lovers who had been in love for years. The sales consultant was all smiles. "You have great taste. This one is perfect for road trips, and many young couples end up going with this model. You're welcome to take it for a test drive." Without any explanations, Keith got into the driver's seat, ready for the test drive. Sonia blushed, but she didn't say anything as she hurriedly got into the passenger seat. They drove off. The shop assistants were whispering among themselves. One of them said, "They're the perfect match! They're both so good-looking." Another said, "I heard they graduated from the same college, and now, they're working at the same hospital. Are we in a romance movie?" Someone said, "That's some chemistry right there." I was silent as I listened in. It didn't hurt as much as I had imagined. "Ms. Watson?" the salesperson quietly prompted. Returning to my senses, I decisively signed my name. After swiping my card, I took the car keys and walked toward my own car. I started the engine and shifted into gear. Then, I drove off. In the rearview mirror, I could see Keith's car headed in the opposite direction from mine. But I didn't turn around. A whole new life lay ahead of me. It took five years, but I finally found myself again. Chapter 8 At dusk, Keith walked out of the flower shop with a bouquet of flowers in hand. A car key was hidden in the middle of the bouquet. He gazed at the flowers, wondering if he would be spoiling me too much if he gave in just like that. Even so, he couldn't help but smile when he pictured the surprise and joy on my face when I received the flowers. Opening the front door of their home, he gently called out, "Clara." It was quiet. In fact, it was too quiet. The house looked empty, and it didn't feel like home at all. Frowning, Keith pulled out his phone and called me, only to receive an automated response. "The number you have dialed is currently busy…" Keith's heart sank. He quickly opened the door leading to the balcony. The balcony was empty as well. The plants I had carefully taken care of for five years were all gone. Only several plant stands remained. They gave off a sense of desolation with nothing but empty space between their thin frames. Keith was stunned for a moment. An unknown panic began welling up inside him. Then, he rushed to the closet and opened the door. He froze on the spot. All the bags he had given to me were missing. My jewelry and clothes were nowhere to be found, either. Keith's expression turned foul as he grabbed his phone and continued dialing. The line was still busy. He tried again and again, but the results remained the same. He knew then, without a doubt, that he had been blocked. The uneasiness grew even stronger, so much so that he almost couldn't breathe. "Clara…" Muttering my name under his breath, he strode toward the bedroom. All traces of me had vanished, as if I had never been a part of his life before. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed several documents laid neatly on the bedside table. His heart skipped a beat as he made his way over to the documents. The first document had two words printed across its cover in large text, "Divorce Agreement". His breath caught in his throat, and he trembled as he turned to the last page. His name, which he had signed himself, was staring back at him. That day at the hospital, Sonia had told him it was the home purchase agreement from me. He had signed the agreement right away without checking the contents. As it turned out, it had been a divorce agreement all along. Keith thought in shock, "Divorce? She's divorcing me!" His head was spinning. Just then, another document slid out from under the agreement. Keith bent over and picked it up. The next second, he felt like he was struck by lightning. It was an ultrasound scan from early pregnancy, three weeks along. His breaths began to quicken as countless thoughts raced across his mind. "Clara was pregnant? When? Why didn't anyone tell me?" But before he could come to terms with it, the last document was already in view. It was an abortion record. At that moment, Keith felt like the whole world had turned silent. He stared at the lines of text, his eyes gradually reddening. He thought, "My child… My child with Clara… Our child was gone… I wasn't even aware of the child's existence, but they were already gone…" The procedure was just a few days ago. Back then, he was still questioning me over the phone, demanding to know why I wasn't home. And now, he finally figured out that I had just lost our child at that moment. Keith staggered backward, the documents in his hands scattering across the floor. He felt like someone had sliced open his chest. It hurt so much that he couldn't breathe. Just then, his phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Sonia. Keith stared blankly at his phone for a few seconds before answering the call. "Keith?" Sonia's voice sounded gentle over the phone. "Did you make it home? Did Clara like the car I picked out?" After a long while of silence, the man's extremely hoarse voice rang out. "Clara is gone." Sonia froze. Keith looked down at the documents on the floor, his eyes rimmed with red. "She's gone. She's really gone. She didn't want me anymore…"