Chapter 2

I had just ended my call with Hailey when I heard the restaurant manager's voice coming from the entrance of the restaurant. "Dr. Reed, the table you've reserved is ready. This way, please."

I was so sensitive to the term "Dr. Reed" that I instinctively looked up in that direction.

It really was Keith, and Sonia was right next to him as they made their way into the restaurant.

Keith had already taken off his white coat, and the sleeves of his black shirt were rolled up to his forearms. He looked a little fatigued.

Sonia stood next to him, her head tilted as she said something to him.

I had no idea what she said, but Keith actually smiled.

I watched the scene, stunned. I felt like someone had just stabbed me in the chest.

Back then, whenever he got home from work, I would always chat with him. I was eager to share all the new things I had seen and experienced that day.

But he had always looked uninterested. He didn't respond much, let alone smile at me.

I could only convince myself that he was so exhausted from work that he didn't have the energy to play along with me.

But now, I finally realized that he would still smile even if he were tired.

He just chose not to smile at me.

"Clara?" Sonia was the first to notice me. She hurried over to me and put on a perfectly measured smile. "What are you doing here all alone?"

I didn't answer.

She didn't seem to mind. Instead, she started explaining, "There had been a major accident today, and there were a lot of casualties. Keith and I have been buried in work since this afternoon. We've just completed the last operation, and we're absolutely starving.

"Keith suddenly remembered you love the pan-seared cod here, so he insisted on bringing me to this place. He said he can get a portion for you to go when we're done."

With that, she turned to look at Keith and put on a charming smile. "Keith really loves you, you know? No matter what he does, he'll always think of you. I really wish I were you. If only someone loved me like that!"

I thought, "He really loves me? Would someone who really loved me forget that it's our wedding anniversary today? Would someone who really loved me dine at a romantic restaurant with another woman in the middle of the night?

"Would someone who really loved me travel 300 miles to perform off-the-books surgery for someone else's aunt, but refuse to even try to save my dying father?"

At that thought, I looked up at Sonia and said in a low voice, "How he feels about me isn't really your concern, is it?"

The smile gradually faded from Sonia's face, and her eyes instantly reddened. "I'm sorry… Was it something I said? I swear, I was just curious…"

Her voice slowly grew quieter, and tears began to fall as if she had been deeply wounded.

But I didn't even say anything that rude.

Keith subconsciously stood in front of Sonia, blocking my line of sight. His protective gesture felt like a sharp sting for me.

"Clara, you knew she didn't mean any harm, so why would you say something like that?" he asked in a low voice. "There were so many casualties today, and we're all doing our best to save them. She's the head nurse, and she has been so busy today that she didn't even have time to eat. Please just stop overreacting."

The people around us chimed in, murmuring in agreement.

Someone said, "Doctors and nurses really have it rough."

Another person said, "He's just done with an operation, and he's still considerate enough to get food for his wife. Isn't that enough for her?"

Someone else said, "Some people are just too possessive. It's terrifying how she acts like she owns him."

The comments kept coming one after another.

Everyone was on their side, and they had painted me as a heinous villain.

I was tired.

They were completely shameless about it, and I didn't even get the chance to explain myself.

I was done playing their game. Grabbing my bag, I turned around and walked off.

When I was passing by Keith, he suddenly grabbed my wrist. His grip was so strong that it made me frown in discomfort.

"Let go," I demanded.

Keith had a foul look on his face. "Apologize to Sonia first."

I thought I was hearing things. "What?"

Keith repeated, "You put her in an uncomfortable position with that comment. Apologize to her."

I looked at Sonia, who was standing behind Keith with reddened eyes. She looked like a frightened little bunny.

Meanwhile, Keith was standing in front of her, guarding her against me as if I were some sort of terrifying beast.

I scoffed. "Then tell me, Kevin. Have I actually said anything wrong? Our relationship is between you and me. What does your colleague have to do with that?"

I emphasized the word "colleague" on purpose.

Keith froze. He actually couldn't offer an answer to that.

I took the chance to pull my hand out of his grip. Then, I walked out the door without looking back.

Behind me, Keith was suppressing his anger as he shouted, "Clara Watson! Don't you dare leave this place without apologizing!"

I never broke stride. I didn't even take a glance back as I walked right out the doors of the restaurant.

I was immediately greeted with a cool night breeze, which blew away all the resentment in my heart.

I suddenly realized that if I just took that single step forward, nothing would be able to stop me.

Once I got home, I printed out the divorce agreement.

Everything would be over by next Saturday.