From White Coats to Bloodied Aprons

I tried the lock three times. Suddenly, the door opened from the inside.

Standing there was Jaiden, wearing my pajamas. It was the matching set Ellie and I used to wear.

The moment he saw me, a smug smile spread across his face. He raised an eyebrow and taunted, "Oh, Vance. Ellie said you wouldn't be coming back, so I decided to swing by. We just finished up, but the place is a little messy. Do you want to wait outside? I'll tidy up.

"You really pissed her off today, huh? She took all her anger out on me. Little Jaiden almost couldn't take—"

Before he could finish, I punched him right in the face.

He immediately covered his nose and collapsed to the floor, groaning in pain.

Ellie screamed and rushed over. Her pajamas were haphazardly thrown on, and her hair was still dripping wet.

"Vance! Are you crazy?" she shouted. "Why would you hit him?"

I didn't answer. I just gave her a cold glance, then casually adjusted her pajamas for her.

Her eyes flickered with panic, and she forgot all about comforting Jaiden. She grabbed my arm with a serious expression.

"Don't misunderstand. There's a seminar near our place tomorrow. I had Jaiden come stay for the night so we could go together."

She added, "Some kids were playing with water guns on my way back and got me all wet. That's why I took a shower and changed my clothes."

I stared at her coldly, reached into my pocket, and pulled out the divorce certificate without a trace of emotion. "Doesn't matter to me. I'm selling this place. You two can stay at a hotel nearby. Also—"

Ellie's eyes widened, and she raised her voice, cutting me off. "Why are you selling the house all of a sudden? This is our only place! If you sell it, where are we supposed to live?"

As I looked at Ellie, I felt a wave of pity for her.

There was really no need to tie us together when things had come to this. But before I could respond, a flicker of realization crossed her face, and she smiled. "Did you secretly buy that place in the city center we were looking at?"

A faint blush crept onto her face as she continued in a mock-haughty tone, "I'm telling you, it's just a house. Don't think it's enough for me to forgive you—"

I gently pushed Ellie away as she moved closer and replied flatly, "Don't get ahead of yourself. What I mean is, this place isn't your home anymore, and we're done."

Ellie froze for a moment, then blurted, "What do you mean it's not my home anymore? Vance, are you fucking serious? Are you selling the house to support your mistress? You have to give me a good explanation today!"

She paused for a moment. She glanced back at Jaiden, who was still holding his nose, then turned to me with a snarl. "I'll sue you for breaking and entering! And assault too!"

Looking at the completely disoriented Ellie, I was speechless. "Go ahead, call the cops. Let's see who they arrest, me or him?"

Not giving her a chance to say anything, I pointed at Jaiden. "This house is my personal property, and you two are trespassing."

Then, I pulled out the divorce certificate and held it up in front of her. "Also, Ellie, we're already divorced."