Chapter 5: The Divorce

“Eva,” Amira called, stepping forward quickly, her voice laced with false concern, though her eyes carried something darker. “Everyone in Houston knows you abandoned him when he needed you most,” she said, turning to the onlookers as if to gather their agreement. “You went abroad with a rich man while he was in the hospital, struggling to live.”

Gasps rippled across the room. The staff exchanged glances, whispering among themselves. Eva stood rooted, staring at Amira in disbelief, then slowly turned her gaze to Bradley.

“Bradley,” she called softly, her voice trembling. “You don’t believe her, do you?”

But his silence said everything. His eyes were cold, distant — the same eyes that once looked at her with love now carried only contempt.

Amira saw it and smirked faintly before drawing closer to him. “I was there for you, Bradley,” she said, placing a hand lightly on his arm. “I’m the one who risked my life for you. You can’t let her take credit for something she didn’t do.”

Eva’s jaw tightened. Her chest rose and fell heavily as anger began to boil beneath her calm expression. “Is that what you’ve told him?” she asked slowly, her voice firm but low.

Amira blinked, feigning confusion. “Told him? It’s the truth.”

Eva took a step forward, her eyes glinting with restrained fury. “Then answer this,” she began, her tone sharp. “What tests are required before a kidney transplant?”

Amira hesitated, glancing nervously around.

Eva stepped closer. “How long was the surgery? Was it your left or right kidney that was removed?”

“Eva, stop this nonsense,” Bradley cut in sharply, but Eva ignored him.

She continued, her voice rising. “How long was the incision? How many stitches? How many hours before you could get out of bed?”

Amira stepped back slowly, her breath quickening.

Eva’s voice broke with emotion as she pointed at her. “You don’t know, do you? Because you didn’t go through it. You didn’t donate anything. You lied to him!”

The office fell silent. Everyone’s eyes darted between the two women.

Then suddenly, Amira screamed. “Ah! My wound!” she cried, clutching her belly dramatically. “It’s been hurting since the surgery. How could she accuse me of lying?”

She turned toward Bradley, tears rolling down her cheeks as she clung to his arm. “Bradley, you know I told you the truth. You know how weak I’ve been.”

“Amira, calm down,” he said, trying to steady her. Then he turned sharply to Eva, his eyes burning with rage. “Enough! I can’t take this anymore!”

Eva looked at him, her lips trembling. “You’re defending her?” she whispered, disbelief coating every word.

He took a step toward her. “Defending her? Eva, ever since Amira donated her kidney to me, she has been weak and struggling. Meanwhile, you’ve been fine; strong, healthy, living your best life. And now, you’ve started attacking her publicly. Instead of confronting her, why don’t you confront yourself?”

Eva’s eyes widened as she shook her head slowly. Then she took a step closer to him, replacing her shock and pain with a fake smile. “Fine, Bradley.” She said. “Let’s get a divorce.”

The office went silent. Too silent for a moment. The staff gasped, darting shocking glances at one another.

“Seriously?” Bradley asked, breaking the silence. “You want to use divorce to threaten me? You think this changes anything? Wake up, Eva, because I’ve not even started with you yet.”

But Eva stood firm, her fists clenched, but no words came out. Her mind was made up and intention declared.

“I watched you walk away from me, Eva,” he continued, his tone cold and final. “You left me when I was dying. And now you have the audacity to claim you were the donor? And even had the guts to stand here and demand for divorce. How dare you?”

Her chest heaved as her breath caught between sobs and disbelief. Then she gave a bitter, broken laugh. “You think I’m lying?”

He didn’t answer, but the accusation in his eyes was louder than any words.

Eva’s voice cracked as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’m laughing because you’re so stupid and biased,” she cried, her voice shaking but fierce. “For trusting her, and because you, my husband, are happy with your mistress while I’m dying from cancer caused by the kidney transplant!” Her voice rose, echoing across the room as her sobs tore through the silence.

“Stop lying!” Bradley roared.

Before anyone could react, his hand swung through the air and landed hard across her left cheek. The sound echoed like a whip.

Eva stumbled, falling to the ground. Her handbag slipped from her shoulder, scattering its contents across the floor — her phone, her rosary, her purse, and a folded medical report.

The entire room went silent. Amira gasped, pretending to be shocked, though a faint satisfaction danced across her face.

Bradley stood there, frozen, his chest rising heavily as anger slowly gave way to regret. His gaze fell to the floor, to the papers that had spilled from Eva’s bag.

One of them caught his eye. A hospital report, slightly open, her name visible at the top.

His eyes widened in shock as he moved to pick it up.