Chapter 3

Seeing this, Chloe immediately wrapped her arms around Ethan’s arm, whining, "Nora, even if you’re mad, you can't hit Ethan! He woke up so early just to see you."

She glared down at me on the floor, then turned to touch Ethan’s cheek, looking heartbroken. She gently blew on his face and whispered, "Does it hurt? Nora is so heartless. Look how red your cheek is."

Ethan put his arm around her waist. "I'm fine," he said, then kicked my foot with his shoe, his face twisted in disgust. "Stop playing dead. Get up."

"Who are you putting on this tragic act for? You're making it look like I'm the one who beat you up!"

I clenched my fists, suppressing the nausea rising in my throat. Having no strength to stand, I dragged myself to the nightstand, reached under the pillow, and pulled out two copies of the divorce papers.

"I've already signed them."

Ethan stared at the papers, grabbed them from my hand, and flipped through them. His face turned incredibly dark. "Nora, what makes you think you have the right to divorce me?"

He threw the papers onto the floor and stomped on them with his expensive leather shoes.

"Over some trivial bullshit, you're throwing a never-ending tantrum!"

"I'm not throwing a tantrum. I want a divorce," I said weakly, leaning against the bed.

Ethan kicked the trash can in anger, venting his frustration. "Nora, I've supported you for years, and you want to divorce me? Don't come crying to me when you're broke!"

Chloe tried to comfort him, but it didn't work.

"You're doing all this just because of Chloe, aren't you? Let me tell you right now, Chloe is sweet and understanding. She is a hundred times better than you!"

"Ethan Hayes!" I screamed with all the strength left in my lungs. The pain in my abdomen was getting worse, but I ignored it, staring at him with utter disappointment. "Eight years. We've been together for eight years. You know exactly how much I've done for you!"

"When you wanted to start a business, I gave you my money. When you said your family needed someone to manage the house, I quit my job and took care of you for five years without a single complaint. I did everything for you! And what did you treat me as?"

My voice cracked, and tears finally streamed down my face.

Ethan stood frozen, his face pale. He couldn't find a single word to argue.

But Chloe snapped at me, "Nora, you can't say that. Did Ethan contribute nothing to this marriage?"

"The hospital room you're staying in right now, the food you eat—isn't it all paid for with his money?"

"Don't be so greedy. Learn to be grateful!"

After lecturing me, she turned to Ethan. "Ethan, Nora doesn't mean it. She's just emotional. Don't say things you'll regret."

She was playing both sides perfectly.

But she couldn't hide the smugness in her eyes.

"Nora, if you ask me, this whole thing..."

"Shut up! Stop disgusting me," I snapped. Leaning against the bed, I forced myself up and slapped her right across the face, cutting her off.

Chloe clutched her cheek, shocked and crying out in pain.

"Chloe!" Ethan pulled her into his arms, checking her face. "Are you okay? Does it hurt?"

"Ethan, it hurts so much... Did I say something wrong?"

Her tears fell like rain. "I just wanted you two to make up. I don't know why Nora hates me so much."

Ethan glared at me. He had shown no mercy when he kicked me, yet he was so gentle with Chloe. How laughable. My husband was holding another woman in front of my hospital bed, calling me a crazy bitch.

I should have cut him off the very first time he chose Chloe.

I had wasted so many years on this man. It wasn't worth it.

I picked up the dirty divorce papers from the floor, wiped off the dust, and held them out to him again. "If you love her so much, sign this. I'll waive my right to alimony."

"In your dreams!" Ethan grabbed the papers and tore them to shreds. "Nora, let me tell you. If we divorce, it will be on my terms, not yours!"

"Know your place."

I looked at the shredded paper on the floor. "I'll have my lawyer draft another copy. If you still refuse, I'll take you to court."

I was completely calm. I had never been more certain of anything in my life.

"Take me to court?!" Ethan’s veins bulged on his forehead. He raised his hand and slapped me hard across the face. This time, he didn't hold back at all.

My weak body spun back, and my temple crashed against the sharp corner of the nightstand.

A sudden, agonizing pain ripped through my lower abdomen, like flesh-eating ants devouring me from the inside. I couldn't even straighten my back.

My vision blurred, and before I blacked out, I heard Chloe's panicked scream.

"Ethan! She's bleeding... there's so much blood!"