Chapter 2

“Excuse me, sir, but could you please let this lady get into the ambulance first? The next one will be here shortly, and her injuries are more critical.”

The paramedics carefully moved me, semi-conscious, onto a stretcher, but an enraged Julian blocked them.

“Save her!”

Then I felt a shove, and I fell heavily to the floor from the stretcher.

The pain jolted me fully awake.

I watched, helpless, as Julian gently placed Willow onto the stretcher.

“Sir, she only has a sprained wrist, it’s not serious!”

“You’re needlessly hogging medical resources!”

“Willow’s hands are important! She’s a doctor!”

I was astonished. This was the longest sentence Julian had spoken in almost two years, yet not a single word was about me.

Julian finished speaking and immediately pushed the paramedics into the ambulance.

I leaned against a nearby display rack, gasping for air.

But every breath seemed to pull at the wound on my back, making the pain even worse.

I didn't know if the wound hurt more, or my heart.

Hadn't I given up becoming a doctor for Julian?

How could someone else’s hands be more important than mine?

What was I to him, then?

A mechanical smile twitched at my lips.

I was just a friend.

I fainted from the pain.

When I woke up in the hospital, the first thing I did was send Julian a message.

"Let's get a divorce."

Just as I sent it, Julian walked in, pushing the door open.

He was carrying two gift boxes from the same brand I’d seen earlier today.

He placed the gift boxes on a nearby cabinet and sat directly on the chair by my bed.

Julian took out his phone, probably saw my message, but his face remained unruffled.

The hospital room filled with suffocating silence, but my phone chimed. It was Julian's messages.

"You like this brand. I picked out two dresses that suit you."

"When you're discharged, I'll have their entire collection brought to the house. You can buy the whole store if you want."

"Willow is a doctor. Her hands are very important to a doctor, that's why... I was so nervous. Please don't be angry."

I lowered my head, staring at the phone in front of me.

Message after message came in, and in an instant, tears blurred my vision again.

I finally couldn't help but ask,

“You can talk to her, so why can’t you talk to me? When we’re face-to-face, you still send messages?”

“Are you doing this on purpose?! Is this emotional abuse?!”

I looked up, tears streaming down my face, my voice choked.

Julian’s expression remained as calm as still water.

After an unknown period of silence, he lowered his head and typed again.

"I'm sorry, I have selective mutism."

Then he pulled a document from his pocket and handed it to me, signaling me to sign it.

I looked at it. It was the property transfer deed for the house we lived in.

"This is compensation."

A sudden ringtone broke the silence. Julian’s face tightened. He quickly picked up the phone.

His phone had excellent soundproofing; I couldn't hear who was on the other end.

But the next second, Julian replied,

“I’ll be right there.”

It was Willow’s call. My heart already knew the answer.

I didn’t hesitate anymore. I took out my phone and searched for the online court app.

I filled out the complaint form, both our personal details, and the marriage certificate.

For the separation agreement, I uploaded the property transfer deed and opted not to accept mediation.

As I pressed the "submit for judgment" button, I felt a long sigh escape my chest.

Countdown: thirty days.

"Property transfer center, 3 PM. Transferring the house."

A week after being admitted to the hospital, I received Julian’s message.

That week, Julian hadn't sent any messages or called, nor had he visited.

I was gradually getting used to life alone.

I arrived at 3:30 PM, but Julian, uncharacteristically, was already waiting in the lobby.

He hated tardiness, but there wasn't a hint of impatience on his face.

As soon as I arrived, a VIP counter attendant came to greet me.

Julian had even thoughtfully prepared a bouquet of flowers, and next to it was a small velvet box, likely containing jewelry.

The attendant stepped forward to pull out a chair, but Julian stopped him, indicating he would do it himself.

This surprised me. I pondered for a moment before speaking.

“Actually… you don’t have to do all this.”

Julian even had a faint smile on his face, shaking his head gently.

He seemed to put in a great effort before managing two words.

"It's fine."

Rare gentleness and communication.

The procedures were quick.

"Go home first, I still have to work late."

A strange feeling built within me, reaching a peak.

I stepped out and had just hailed a cab when I realized I’d forgotten my handbag. I had to go back for it.

I saw Julian still standing in the lobby, holding an even larger bouquet of roses than before.

Willow came in through the main entrance, and he immediately went to meet her. They embraced.

Julian affectionately patted her head.

“Mr. Thorne, please come this way for your new property purchase.”

“You mentioned wanting to buy an estate, right? After transferring this apartment, you now meet the purchase limit criteria and can buy another one.”

“Mrs. Thorne, watch your step.”

Willow leaned her head against Julian’s shoulder, both walking happily into an inner room.

It was the height of summer, yet I’d never felt so cold.

So cold that I couldn't stand, so cold that cold sweat beaded on my back and forehead.

So, I was the one who had been cast aside.