CHAPTER 7

EVELYN

I don’t remember how I got to the hospital. One moment I was standing in my bedroom with a half-packed suitcase beside me, and the next I was running through the emergency entrance with my heart pounding so hard it hurt.

The bright white lights overhead blurred as I rushed toward the reception desk. “My mother,” I said, struggling to catch my breath. “Margaret Jones. I got a call saying her condition got worse.”

The nurse looked up immediately. “Mrs. Sullivan. Please come with me.”

I followed her almost on a run. Every terrible possibility flashed through my mind. What if I was too late? What if the last time I saw Mom was really the last time?

My chest tightened until breathing became difficult.

The nurse stopped outside a consultation room. Just then the door opened, and a middle-aged doctor stepped out. His expression was serious enough to make my stomach sink.

“Mrs. Sullivan.”

“How is my mother?” I asked immediately.

“Your mother’s condition deteriorated suddenly earlier today. We managed to stabilize her, but it’s only temporary. She’s still in critical condition and needs emergency surgery as soon as possible. Without it, there’s a high risk she’ll deteriorate again.”

“Then do it.”

His expression didn’t change.“There is one issue. The estimated cost of the procedure requires financial authorization before we can proceed.”

I didn’t even hesitate. “I’ll pay right now.”

The doctor gave a small nod before leading me toward the billing department. My hands shook as I opened my handbag. I pulled out Julian’s black card which I almost never used. But he'd insisted I carry it after we got married, saying I should never worry about money again.

I hated depending on him, which was why I rarely used it. But if there was ever a time… it was now.

The cashier inserted the card into the terminal. A second later, she frowned at the screen. TRANSACTION DECLINED.

“That can’t be right. Try it again.”

She inserted it a second time. DECLINED.

“No…”

I took the card from her. Julian had never blocked this card before. Never.

I quickly pulled out my phone and called him. Please answer. Please…

The call connected after only two rings. Relief washed over me. “Julian…”

A woman’s laugh interrupted me. “I was wondering when you’d call.”

Every muscle in my body froze. Chloe.

I gripped my phone tighter. “Put Julian on the phone.”

She ignored me. “The card didn't work?” Her laughter became louder. “That’s because Julian changed the authorized user. To me.”

I felt like someone had slapped me across the face.

The black card… The card he’d once told me represented trust. He had given it… To his mistress.

I closed my eyes. Not now. I couldn’t break down now.

“My mother needs emergency surgery,” I said through clenched teeth. “Put Julian on the phone.”

For a second, there was silence.

Then Chloe laughed again. “You know…” Her voice dripped with amusement. “It’s funny. You still think he’ll choose you.”

My fingers dug painfully into my phone. “This isn’t about me. My mother could die. I really need to speak with Julian.”

“Oh.” She sounded almost disappointed. “What a shame. Julian is busy.”

Before I could say another word… The line went dead.

My knees suddenly felt weak.

“Mrs. Sullivan?” the doctor said.

I couldn’t even answer. I called Julian again. Switched off.

Tears burned behind my eyes, but I forced them back. Crying wouldn’t save Mom. Thinking quickly, I opened my banking app. Not enough. I checked my savings. Still nowhere close.

I looked at the doctor. “Please…” My voice cracked. “Start the surgery. I’ll find the money.”

“I’m sorry.” He looked genuinely sympathetic. “I’ve already spoken to the administration, but until billing clears the authorization, my hands are tied.”

I slowly slid down the wall until I was sitting on the cold floor. For the first time since all this began… I felt completely helpless.

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway. Several doctors strode toward us, followed by nurses and hospital administrators.

Leading them was the hospital director himself. I'd seen him on the news. As he approached, every staff member stepped aside.

He stopped in front of me. “Mrs. Sullivan?”

I looked up, confused. “…Yes?”

His expression softened. “My apologies for the delay. We've received authorization to proceed. The operating theatre is ready, and your mother's surgery will begin immediately.”

I stared at him. “I... I haven't paid.”

“The expenses have already been fully authorized.”

I slowly got to my feet. “I don't understand. Who authorized it?”

The director smiled politely. “Mr. Viktor Sullivan.”

For several long seconds, I couldn't speak.

Viktor?

How... how did he even know?

~~~

I stood outside the operating room long after they wheeled Mom inside. The red light above the doors glowed steadily.

SURGERY IN PROGRESS.

It became the only thing I could focus on. Every few minutes, my eyes drifted back to it, silently willing it to turn off.

Please, Mom... be okay.

Finally, the doors opened. I shot to my feet.

The surgeon pulled off his mask and smiled. “The surgery was successful. Your mother is out of danger.”

The breath I'd been holding escaped in a shaky sob. Tears streamed down my face as I covered it with both hands.

For the first time in days, they weren't tears of heartbreak. They were tears of relief.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “Thank you so much.”

The surgeon gave me a reassuring smile. “She'll be moved to a private ward shortly. You'll be able to see her then.”

After he left, I slowly sat back down.

Viktor.

If he hadn't stepped in...

I didn't even want to imagine what might have happened.

I unlocked my phone. My thumb hovered over his contact. I'd had his number ever since our wedding, yet I'd never called or even sent him a message. Until now.

I took a deep breath and typed: Thank you for helping my mother today. I don't know how you found out, but you saved her life. I'll never forget your kindness, and I promise to repay you. Thank you, Mr. Sullivan.

I read it twice before pressing send.

Leaning back in my chair, I closed my eyes. Something still didn't make sense.

Earlier today, Mom had sounded perfectly normal. She'd laughed, teased me, then mentioned she had a visitor before ending the call.

Nothing in her voice suggested she was about to need emergency surgery.

So...

What changed? Who was the visitor?

A strange feeling settled in my chest. Not fear. Suspicion.

Just then, the hospital director walked past.

“Mr. Director?”

He stopped. “Mrs. Sullivan.”

“There's... something I need your help with.”

“What is it?”

“I'd like to see the surveillance footage outside my mother's ward.”

He frowned slightly. “The surveillance footage?”

I nodded. “I spoke to my mother earlier today. She was completely fine. A few hours later, after someone visited her, she was suddenly in critical condition.” I lowered my voice. “I have a bad feeling.”

He studied me for a moment. “Ordinarily, we don't release surveillance footage without authorization.”

My heart sank.

Then he continued, “But given the circumstances, I'll make an exception. Come with me.”

A few minutes later, we entered the hospital's security room. Monitors lined an entire wall as one of the security officers pulled up the recordings from outside Mom's ward.

We watched the footage in silence. Everything looked ordinary. Then someone familiar appeared on the screen.

Chloe.

My heart stopped.

She glanced around before slipping into Mom's room.

“What... what was she doing here?” I whispered.

She remained inside for nearly fifteen minutes. When she finally came out… She was smiling. The kind of smile that made my skin crawl.

The security officer looked at me. “Do you know her?”

I nodded slowly. “Unfortunately.”

A chill ran through me.

Chloe had been here. Whether she had anything to do with Mom's condition... I didn't know. Not yet. But I intended to find out.

Just then, my phone vibrated. A message from Mr. Garrison: The divorce agreement is ready.

It was finally time.

I looked through the glass into Mom's room. She was sleeping peacefully, and the doctors had assured me she'd be monitored closely.

After quietly thanking the nurses, I left the hospital.

~~~

By the time I got home, the house felt emptier than ever. Julian still wasn't there. I wasn't surprised.

I walked upstairs without a glance around me. The bedroom no longer felt like mine. It felt like a museum of broken promises.

I opened the wardrobe. Only one suitcase remained. I folded the last of my clothes inside and zipped it shut. Then my eyes fell on the shelf. Our wedding album. The handwritten letters Julian had given me while we were dating. The little glass bottle filled with seashells from our honeymoon.

I picked them up one by one and dropped them into a trash bag. Just then, the doorbell rang. I already knew who it was.

Mr. Garrison's assistant handed me a large envelope. “The finalized divorce agreement, Mrs. Sullivan.”

“Thank you.”

After he left, I carried the envelope into the living room. I sat on the couch, opened it, and picked up the pen. Without hesitation… I signed.

Evelyn Jones.

I placed the signed papers neatly on the coffee table where Julian couldn't possibly miss them. Then I picked up my phone. I forwarded every anonymous message Chloe had ever sent me to Julian.

After that, I attached the surveillance footage showing Chloe entering Mom's hospital ward.

As I was about to lock my phone, the date at the top of the screen caught my eye. Our anniversary. A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

I opened Julian's chat and typed one final message. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.

Without looking back… I walked away with my luggage.