Always in Second Place

Claire's head snapped up. "What did you say?"

"I said I want a divorce."

"Ev, don't say things you don't mean just because you're angry—"

"I'm not angry." I interrupted her. "This is a decision I've been thinking about for a long time."

She stood frozen.

I let out a cold laugh. "Claire, I've always known. You can't break things off with Daniel, and you can't let go of Lily. Between the three of you, I'm always the one who gets sacrificed."

"That's not true, Ev..."

"Enough." I finally lost control of my voice. "I'm sick of being beaten by your ex-husband, being treated like the bad guy by Lily, and having to pretend none of it bothers me.

"I'm sick of Daniel going online and claiming I got involved with you while he was seriously ill. Strangers chase after me to hurl abuse, and all I can do is keep my head down and take it.

"I'm also sick of you taking care of them, going camping and hiking with them, and leaving me home alone to wait for you.

"I'm sick of having your guilt, your sense of responsibility, and your endless emergencies dumped on my shoulders."

I turned and walked into the bedroom.

"Ev!" Claire's voice finally filled with panic. "Don't do this. Let's talk—"

The door closed in her face.

For a long time, there was no sound outside. I buried my face in the pillow and wiped away the tears at the corners of my eyes.

Six months earlier, Claire had linked her arm through mine and spoken with complete sincerity. "Once Lily adjusts a little better, maybe we can think about having a child of our own. I'll arrange for her to see a child psychologist and help prepare her in advance."

Back then, I thought she was genuinely planning a future with me.

Only now did I understand. She had simply been selling me a future she never intended to deliver.

The next morning, when I opened the bedroom door, Claire was standing outside. She hadn't slept all night. Her eyes were dark, and her shirt was badly wrinkled.

"Ev."

"I'm going out."

"I'll drive you." She answered almost immediately, then added in a quieter voice, "When you're done, we can stop by the hospital for the compatibility test. Daniel can't wait."

She said it so casually, as though she were simply asking whether I wanted her to pick up a coffee.

My chest tightened. "I'm not going."

Claire frowned. "Ev, how can you be so heartless? He really doesn't have much time left. If my blood type were compatible, I wouldn't be asking you."

"What does his illness have to do with me?" I looked at her. "I'm not going."

She remained silent for a long time. Finally, she seemed to make up her mind. Her gaze shifted toward the two people standing outside the door, and a flicker of hesitation crossed her face. "You don't get to refuse this."

Two private security guards quickly stepped inside.

I took a step back, but they blocked the doorway and hallway.

"Please move."

Neither of them budged.

Claire stood to one side, never once looking at me.

"They'll take us to the hospital," she said. "Once the test is done, you can go wherever you want."

At that moment, I finally understood.

She didn't care whether I was willing. She simply intended to force me to go.

I didn't want to keep struggling with them there, nor did I want the neighbors hearing the commotion. So I walked toward the elevator with a cold expression.

The two security guards followed behind me, keeping me sandwiched between them all the way down.

When the car stopped outside Harborview, they finally stepped back.

Claire sat beside me, her voice lowered. "Ev, don't blame me. I owe you. Once Daniel gets better, I'll make it up to you."

I stared at her. "Make it up to me? Can I ask for anything I want?"

Claire seemed surprised that I would agree. "Whatever you want, I'll do my best to give it to you."

I gave her a faint, bitter smile. "I want a divorce."