With My Son Near Death, I Choose Divorce

The doctors and nurses all turned to look at us. Their hands were frozen in place.

Outside the operating room, the air seemed to freeze. The only sound left was the faint hum of medical equipment.

My husband, Samuel Hayes, pointed at me. His eyes were bloodshot. "Naomi Hart, what did you just say?"

"I said, stop the surgery," I repeated.

My voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet hallway, every word landed clearly.

My mother-in-law, Evelyn Shaw, finally snapped out of it and lunged at me, ready to strike me again. Samuel grabbed her around the waist before she could reach me.

She thrashed in his arms, clawing at the air as she screamed, "You heartless bitch! Matthew is still in there! He's your son! How could you say something like that?"

I looked at her and said nothing.

Samuel held Evelyn back as she struggled, then snapped at me, "What are you trying to do? Is this because I called Sienna over? Are you mad about that?

"Nothing is going on between us. She just happens to have Rh-negative blood, too, and I didn't want to put you through the pain of donating again."

"You didn't want to put me through that?" I echoed. "Samuel, do you hear yourself?"

The question staggered him, and his face darkened. "Is this really the time? Our son's life is on the line! Whatever issues you have, we can talk about them at home after his surgery!"

"Home?"

I looked at him. "Samuel, we don't have a home anymore."

I held out the divorce agreement again. "Sign it. I've already contacted the blood bank and a group of volunteers. The moment you sign, Matthew will get the blood he needs for surgery."

Evelyn stopped shrieking. She and Samuel stared at me like I'd lost my mind.

Samuel's jaw tightened as he uttered through gritted teeth, "You're using our son's life as a bargaining chip for a divorce?"

"I told you. Sign the papers, and he'll receive the blood."

I didn't back down.

A crowd began to form as family members of patients gathered around. All of them were pointing and whispering.

"What's wrong with her? She's ruthless."

"Unbelievable. Even a vicious tiger will not eat its cubs. Her husband was trying to protect her because he cares about her, and she's holding her own kid's life against him for a divorce."

Their judgment rained down on me, but I felt nothing.

Samuel stared at me. His chest was heaving. "Fine, Naomi. You win."

He let go of Evelyn, snatched the papers and the pen, and scrawled his name across the pages. Then, he shoved the papers into my chest.

"There. Happy now? Can we save our son?"

I picked up the papers from the floor, checked the signature, and tucked them neatly into my bag.

Then, I turned to the doctor beside us. "Go ahead and prepare for surgery. The blood will be here shortly."