Chapter 2

"The authorization is canceled, Abby. We're getting a divorce," I said.

The sound of a glass shattering rang out over the receiver.

Abby froze.

She was used to my obedience and used to treating me as a low-risk, guaranteed asset.

"Are you out of your mind, Johann Aguirre? A broke loser like you can't even afford your mom's ICU fees without me. I bet you'll be on your knees begging me back by tonight!"

I hung up on her and immediately blocked her number.

The ward door pushed open.

Two officers in crisp military uniforms stepped inside. Their polished shoes moved silently across the anti-static floor.

They walked over to the bed and handed me a dossier stamped "Confidential".

"Dr. Aguirre, once you sign this document, your public identity will be permanently erased. Your family will also be placed under the highest level of military protection."

I took the pen. The nib scraped softly across the paper as I signed my name without a second thought.

From this day on, Johann Aguirre was dead.

Abby was too accustomed to me giving in. She didn't believe for a second that I would actually go through with the divorce.

That same evening, she took Edward as her date to an exclusive high-society gala.

The event was disgustingly lavish, with champagne towers glittering under crystal chandeliers.

Dressed in a custom haute couture gown, Abby walked arm-in-arm with Edward.

She took the stage and announced into the microphone, "Tonight, I am licensing Dr. Johann Aguirre's latest patent to Edward's tech firm at half price. This investment will yield a return of over 300%."

Thunderous applause broke out across the room.

With tears welling in his eyes, Edward looked toward the cameras. "Thank you for your support, Abby. I won't let your hard work go to waste."

The nauseatingly sweet display played out live on a secure screen right in my ward.

I leaned back against the headboard, holding a glass of warm water. The temperature was just right.

Standing beside my bed was the top legal counsel appointed by the military.

He adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses and said flatly, "Dr. Aguirre, the clawback procedure is ready."

I took a sip of water. "Execute it."

The lawyer tapped the "Enter" key.

Back at the gala, Abby's secretary, Rosa Weaver, stumbled into the hall.

Tripping over her hemline, she crashed awkwardly at Abby's feet. "Ms. Wright, this is bad!"

Rosa's voice cracked with pure panic. "Johann revoked all core technology authorizations! Our servers have been forcibly locked down! Our business partners just called demanding over ten million dollars in breach penalties!"

The entire hall fell dead silent.

The arrogance on Abby's face froze in an instant. She snatched the tablet from Rosa's hands.

A stark line of red text flared on the screen. "Technology reclaimed by the state."

"No way!" Abby shrieked. "How could a useless nobody like Johann have that kind of authorization?"

Stomping in her four-inch heels, she stormed out of the gala in a rage.

Flanked by her bodyguards, she rushed straight to the public hospital where I had been staying.

However, she found no one there. The bed was cleared out.

The head nurse told her I had already been transferred.

As Abby stood in the empty room, her chest heaved violently.

Gritting her teeth, she called the private hospital. "Cut off the ICU care for Johann's mother! Let's see how long he can keep hiding!"

Edward thoughtfully handed her a tissue from the side. "Don't be mad, Abby. He's just using his mom to extort more money out of you. Penniless men like him are greedy to the core."

When word reached the military hospital, I was working through leg rehabilitation. The physiotherapist was very professional.

As I looked at the notice on my phone warning that Mom's medication was being withheld, my eyes went as cold as a frozen lake.

I didn't contact Abby. I didn't beg for her mercy. I simply pressed the red button on the headboard and submitted a report to military security.