Chapter 2

After word got out that I wanted to divorce Andrew, I was labeled a heartless ingrate.

The nurse who came to change my dressing jabbed the needle into my vein with undisguised anger.

I winced in pain. "Ouch."

She rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "Serves you right, ungrateful scum."

She spoke just loud enough for me to hear. I couldn't be bothered to respond, choosing to file a complaint instead.

Andrew's senior colleague, Cheryl Kane, dropped by for a visit.

Patting my shoulder, she said in a sincere, measured tone, "Tessa, you need to be grateful. Andrew gave up a chance to go abroad for an academic exchange because of your surgery. You shouldn't act rashly and break his heart."

After listening to what she had to say expressionlessly, I said, "That was his decision. What does it have to do with me?"

My response left Cheryl speechless. In the end, she could only shake her head and leave.

Dad came in with a bowl of chicken noodle soup. He set it down hard on the bedside table.

"Now everyone in the hospital knows that you are a jerk who's divorcing the man who saved your life! You've completely embarrassed me!" he exclaimed.

"What exactly is going on in your head, Tessa?" he couldn't help questioning in the end. "What did Andy even do to deserve this?

"You've been married for over a decade. Even when you refused to have kids, he agreed to it. And no matter what I said to persuade you guys, he kept saying your needs came first.

"And what do you do in return? Be honest with me. Is there someone else?"

With a playful tone, I said, "You're pretty smart, so why don't you take a guess, Dad?"

"Are you serious?" He let out an infuriated laugh. "Don't tell me there's not only another man but also a child."

A knock sounded right then.

Andrew and Helen walked in for their rounds, interrupting our argument.

He acted professionally, as if nothing had happened the day before.

"You're recovering well," Andrew said calmly after checking my pupils with a flashlight.

Standing behind him with a notebook, Helen quickly jotted something down. She then naturally took out a thermos from her bag before handing it to Andrew.

"Dr. Rollins, you pulled an all-nighter reviewing materials again, didn't you? I can see the dark circles under your eyes. Have some warm water for your throat."

"I'm fine."

Andrew unscrewed the thermos and took a sip.

I scoffed loudly, remarking sarcastically, "Yeah, Dr. Rollins sure has it rough. Having to save his 'ungrateful' wife while also needing to supervise such a 'thoughtful and attentive' resident must be exhausting."

Dad stared at me in shock.

Helen's expression darkened. She said righteously, "Mrs. Rollins, please be more respectful when you speak! Dr. Rollins hasn't slept because of your condition, and instead of being grateful, you're making sarcastic remarks? Do you not have a heart?"

Andrew's cold voice rang out, his eyes carrying a hint of warning. "Helen."

Helen pursed her lips, clearly dissatisfied.

Andrew bent down to tuck me in with an exhausted and helpless look on his face, as if he were dealing with a difficult patient.

"Get some rest, Tessa. Try not to overthink things. We can have a proper talk after you're discharged."

I shoved him away before pulling out the divorce papers from the drawer. "There's nothing to talk about. Just sign these once you've read them."

He staggered slightly, prompting Helen to support him. She then snatched the divorce papers. "What? You want Dr. Rollins to leave with nothing? Why should he?"