Stubborn Hearts

The Truth I Finally Saw

I knew he had done it on purpose.

Yvonne was wearing a champagne-colored gown. The moment Jeremiah sat beside her, her face bloomed into a dazzling smile.

The two of them quickly began discussing a recent difficult case. As they spoke, they leaned closer without noticing, voices lowering, shoulders almost touching.

Watching them laugh and chat, I was suddenly reminded of medical school. Back then, I used to discuss cases with him the same way.

In those days, he listened patiently to every idea I shared. He celebrated every correct judgment I made as if it were his own.

Now the light in his eyes belonged to someone else.

I stood up, ready to leave, when Jeremiah suddenly called after me. "Queenie, we haven't finished eating."

I let out a cold laugh. "Dr. Luthenstein, you and Dr. Zimmerman seem perfectly entertained. I won't interrupt."

With that, I turned and walked away.

Behind me, Marcus' mocking voice drifted over. "Dr. Holloway is still so aloof. No wonder Jeremiah would—"

I stopped and turned back.

"Dr. Lloyd, my personal matters are none of your concern," I said calmly. "As an attending physician, you'd do better spending this energy on your patients."

With that, I strode out of the private room.

Whispers followed me out the door.

I knew exactly what they were saying—that I was petty and that I couldn't stand to see my ex-husband and my former best friend happy together.

But they would never know what I had seen that night on our fifth wedding anniversary.

That evening, I had prepared a candlelight dinner. Instead, I saw Yvonne holding his hand, saying softly, "You're the most outstanding doctor I've ever met."

And he actually let her lean against his shoulder.

In that moment, everything finally made sense—why he always sought her out when a case grew difficult. Why he looked distracted when I shared my successes.

It turned out that, in his heart, I had never been a partner who could stand beside him.

I was just an ordinary doctor.

Yvonne, on the other hand, was a genius who could create miracles with him on the operating table.

…

When I got home, I opened the fridge and found it completely empty.

I had been so busy handing over my work that I hadn't even had time to buy daily necessities.

Just as I was about to order takeout, the doorbell rang.

Through the peephole, I saw Jeremiah standing outside, grocery bags hanging from both hands.

I had no intention of opening the door, but he took out a key.

I swore under my breath. I'd forgotten to take it back.

He pushed the door open and walked straight into the kitchen. "I noticed you hadn't eaten, so I picked up some food for you."

I watched him moving around in my kitchen, my gaze cold, and suddenly found the whole scene ridiculous.

"Jeremiah, do you really think this is appropriate?"

He stopped what he was doing and turned to look at me. "What's inappropriate? If you don't eat, how are you supposed to work?"

"That's none of your business," I replied flatly. "Give me the key."

He placed it on the dining table but made no move to leave. "Queenie, about what happened tonight—"

"That's enough," I cut him off. "We're divorced. You don't owe me explanations."

His eyes darkened. "Do you really hate me that much?"

I smiled. "Hate? Jeremiah, you're not even worth hating. You're just a liar—someone who's been deceiving me from start to finish."

He suddenly grabbed my wrist. "When did I ever lie to you?"

"You and Yvonne—"

"She's just a colleague."

"Is that so?" I sneered. "Because the two of you didn't look like 'just colleagues' on that rooftop."

He froze. "You saw?"

"So what if I did?" I shook his hand off. "Jeremiah, leave. I'm tired."

He stayed where he was. "Queenie, just listen—"

"There's nothing to hear," I said. "You two suit each other. I'm stepping out of the way. Enjoy your happiness."