"What choice could you possibly have had? You sold out our relationship for five hundred thousand dollars. Tell me—what choice?"
I'd opened my mouth. Nothing came out.
What could I say? My mother's medical records had been destroyed. Every trace of the misdiagnosis, gone.
And I'd never dared gamble with her life.
All that caution, all that suffering—and it still hadn't kept her safe.
I drew a deep breath, ready to finally tell him the truth.
But Julian wasn't paying attention to me. He just kept talking.
"I won't bring anyone around to upset you anymore."
"Doris, just stay home and be Mrs. Gilbert like you're supposed to. As for your mother, I'll add more money for her treatment!"
I laughed—a cold, mocking sound.
The doctor happened to walk in to change my bandages. Hearing Julian's words, confusion spread across his face.
"Mr. Gilbert, your wife's mother passed away three days ago. Did you not know?"
Julian froze as if struck by lightning.
I just smiled, calm as still water.
"I already told you. I don't want your money. I want a divorce."
Something in my eyes must have cut him, that quiet finality.
He shot to his feet, so rattled his voice shook.