Everyone Thought I Would Never Leave

"Don't forget that we'll be getting our divorce certificates later, Grace," I said.

The gentle expression on Grace's face vanished and was replaced by disdain.

"You're just a househusband who's already in his 30s. You haven't worked for the last decade, and yet you believe that you can provide for yourself in the future? Everyone knows that it's impossible for you to divorce me. Besides, hasn't it always been your wish for me to have a child?

"Go check on Ruth. I'll spend some time alone with Clarence."

I felt like a zombie as I made my way over to Ruth's hospital room. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I looked at her thin face.

Mom and Dad died early. Ruth was three years younger than me, and we depended on each other to survive.

Ruth was sexually assaulted by the heir of a wealthy family during the first year that Grace founded her business.

I wanted to make a police report, but Grace stopped me, saying that the heir had agreed to make a large investment that would change the fate of the company.

"His family has power and influence. Even if we take this case to court, not only will he be completely unscathed, but Ruth's reputation will be ruined, too."

In the end, I conceded to Grace's suggestion.

However, Ruth had a mental breakdown. She jumped from the sixth floor of a building and ended up in a vegetative state.

Grace had then checked Ruth into the best hospital in the city and kept her alive till that day. She was responsible for Ruth's current condition, and yet both she and George used her as leverage against me.

George also used Ruth to threaten me, saying, "If you dare tell Grace that I'm the one who's been setting her up with those men, I'll have someone remove Ruth's life support. You're just a useless man who can't even knock Grace up. You're the one who forced my hand!"

Their words were like sharp blades that repeatedly stabbed themselves into my heart.

"Why don't I take you away from this place, Ruth?" I asked.

…

The doctor said that Grace was one-month pregnant. Her pregnancy was still unstable, so she had to be hospitalized for the next few days.

Clarence stuck to her side all day and all night like a leech, which gave me space to breathe.

I returned home and pawned off some valuable items that I had.

Although Grace constantly boasted to her circle that she often bought branded watches and accessories for me, George took everything away from me. His excuse was that there was no need for me to store so many valuable items in the house when I rarely participated in social events.

He also checked through every transaction that I made with the monthly allowance that Grace gave me. It was why I couldn't touch the money in that account now.

Using the money I obtained from pawning the valuable items, I contacted a nursing home in my hometown. I planned to take Ruth with me back to our hometown once my divorce with Grace was finalized.

I also rented a small apartment unit near the hospital.

There were still many days left before I could get my divorce certificate, and I had no desire to live under the same roof as Clarence.

I returned to the villa to pack my belongings. When I removed our massive wedding photo from the wall, a folder fell out from behind it.

Feeling puzzled, I opened it.

There was a yellowed document inside. It was a liver transplant consent form.

My signature was on the form. The name of a high-ranking official's son was written in the recipient section.

I felt as if I had been struck by lightning and immediately collapsed to the floor.

Eight years ago, Grace was suddenly diagnosed with liver disease. She needed a liver transplant, and coincidentally, I was a suitable donor.

I hadn't hesitated for even a second before agreeing to donate part of my liver to her.

After Grace was discharged from the hospital, her company started rapidly expanding as if an outer force were helping her.

I had assumed that our hard work was finally paying off. I never would have guessed that part of my liver had been used in exchange for Grace's success.

The woman who I had ardently loved for more than a decade had been scheming against me behind my back the entire time.

My phone started ringing while I was having a mental breakdown.