18 Hours of Surgery Couldn't Save Our Marriage

After word spread about my divorce from Grace, I became the ungrateful modern-day villain who abandoned his savior. The nurse changing my IV clearly jabbed the needle into my vein with extra force.

"Ouch." I winced in pain.

She rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "Serves you right, you ungrateful bastard."

Her voice was just loud enough for me to hear. I did not bother responding, but I filed a complaint against her.

Afterward, Grace's senior colleague, Dr. Michael Anderson, came to visit.

"Derek, people should know how to repay kindness." He patted my shoulder earnestly.

"Grace gave up her opportunity to attend an international academic conference abroad for your surgery. You can't be foolish and break her heart."

I listened with no expression. "That was her choice. What does it have to do with me?"

Dr. Anderson was left speechless and walked away while shaking his head.

Mom entered carrying chicken noodle soup, slamming it down on the bedside table with a loud thud.

"Now, the entire hospital knows that Derek Hudson is a bastard who wants to divorce his wife right after she saved his life! You've completely humiliated me! Derek, what on earth are you thinking?" She finally could not hold back anymore.

"Has Grace ever wronged you? How can you treat her like this? You've been married for over ten years. You said you wanted to be childfree, and she went along with it. No matter how much I tried to convince her otherwise, she always said you came first. But what about you?

"Tell me honestly, do you have someone else?"

My tone was mocking. "Mom, you're smart. Why don't you guess?"

"Are you serious?" Mom laughed in disbelief. "Don't tell me there's not only another woman but a child too?"

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Grace entered with Ryan for rounds, interrupting our argument. She maintained a completely professional demeanor, as if nothing had happened yesterday.

"Recovery looks good." After checking my pupils' response with a flashlight, she concluded in a gentle tone.

Ryan stood behind her, holding a notepad and scribbling notes quickly. Then, quite naturally, he pulled a thermos from his bag and handed it to Grace.

"Dr. Reed, you stayed up late reading research materials last night again, didn't you? You have dark circles under your eyes. Have some warm water to soothe your throat."

"It's nothing." Grace unscrewed the cap and took a sip.

I let out a cold laugh.

"Yes, Dr. Reed works so hard." My voice dripped with sarcasm. "Saving her 'ungrateful' husband and then mentoring such a 'thoughtful' graduate student... She must be stretched thin."

Mom looked at me in shock while Ryan's expression changed.

"Mr. Hudson, please show some respect!" he said righteously. "Dr. Reed has been working tirelessly because of your condition. Instead of being grateful, you're making snide remarks. Just what is left of your conscience?"

"Ryan." Grace's cool voice cut through, her eyes carrying a hint of warning.

Ryan pursed his lips in dissatisfaction. Grace leaned down and straightened my blanket. Her expression showed the kind of helpless exhaustion one might have when dealing with an unreasonable patient.

"Derek, get some rest and stop overthinking. When you're discharged, we'll have a proper talk."

I pushed her hand away and pulled out the divorce papers from the drawer.

"There's nothing to talk about. Here's the divorce agreement. Look it over and sign it quickly."

She stumbled backward, and Ryan quickly steadied her.

Ryan grabbed the divorce papers. "What? You want Dr. Reed to leave with nothing? On what grounds?"