chapter 5

I didn't bother replying. Divorce wasn't a negotiation—it was a notice.

Evan closed the door, his face icy. “So you dumped me to marry that scum?”

I looked up at the successful man before me, a sour ache twisting my heart.

“Thank you for saving me, and for—”

Ten years ago, Evan and I swore we'd attend the same university. Then Isabelle came along, and my parents forced me to change majors and dump him overnight.

The last time I saw Evan was at my wedding to Leon. The hatred in his eyes that day still haunts me.

I bit my lip. “I'm sorry...”

Evan's gaze stayed icy as he pressed his stethoscope to my chest. “I'm a doctor. I would've helped any stray cat or dog on the street.”

We were so close I could count every eyelash, yet I couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes.

“Breathe.”

Flustered, I actually forgot to inhale and tried to steady myself, cheeks burning.

When the examination ended, he said coolly, “In the next few days, the rejection symptoms may hit hard. If you feel awful, buzz the nurse or hire an aide.”

His voice was crisp and distant, as if he spoke to a stranger.

I nodded without a word.

The reaction kept me up nights, leaving me groggy by day.

Thank goodness a nurse found me an aide, or I wouldn't have eaten at all.

No one from the Walker family showed up. Meanwhile, Leon quietly shifted our marital assets after our last fight.

I timed my discharge for the same day as Isabelle's and met them at the main doors.

Leon pushed Isabelle's wheelchair, smiling tenderly like newlyweds.

The moment he saw me, his face changed. “What are you doing here? Don't make a scene—this is a hospital.”

He'd apparently forgotten I was a patient too.

I greeted them. “Little sis, I brought you a surprise to celebrate your release.”

As I spoke, I stepped closer to Isabelle.

She stared at me, uneasy, even frightened.

Clutching Leon's hand, she whispered, “Elena, are you divorcing him because of me? I never wanted to compete—”

Leon cut her off, shielding her. “Enough, Elena! She just got out; don't scare her.”

Richard even raised his hand. “You vicious girl! Had I known, I'd have strangled you at birth!”

However, I wasn't the meek Elena they remembered. I dodged his slap and let myself drop to the floor.

“Dad, I'm your daughter, too. I nearly died on that operating table, and you never visited—now you hit me? Doesn't that hurt your heart at all?”

Richard stared at his hand, shocked. I hadn't swung that hard.

Isabelle was just as baffled. What was this? The old Elena never fought back.

Before they could react, reporters swarmed and boxed us in.

“Mr. Chen, online rumors say you cheated during the marriage. Care to comment?”

“Will sleeping with your sister-in-law tank the IPO?”

“Ms. Isabelle Walker, what made you seduce your brother-in-law and get pregnant before marriage?”

The rapid-fire questions left them pale and speechless.

Isabelle turned chalk-white, hiding behind them, muttering, “It's all lies!”

Sensing my moment, I covered my face and sobbed. “It's my fault—please stop pressuring them. They're the people I love most, but I... I don't know what else to do.”

Leon frowned and stepped to my side. “Sorry, my wife's just had surgery. She's unstable. Isabelle's hospital stay was a coincidence. My marriage is solid. Keep lying and you'll hear from my lawyer.”

He gripped my hand, desperate to look devoted.

Watching his performance made me nauseous.

“Don't hit me!” I shrieked, crouching and chanting, “Don't hit me! I'll divorce him—just let me go!”

Every camera swung toward the spectacle.