My husband's colleague called again in the dead of night. Another urgent body that couldn't wait to handle. Liam hung up the phone and decided to leave at once. Even though he had been working non-stop for several days. "Olivia couldn't handle it alone. Fortunately I was awake," He said. I ignored him, staring blankly at the ceiling. Liam wrapped his arms around me from behind, his voice soft and coaxing. "I know I've neglected you lately, but it's my job. I had to go." "We'll take a trip once all these work done, I promise." I didn't respond. I pulled away from his embrace and spoke coldly. "I want a divorce." Liam froze and forced me to turn around and gripped my hands tightly. Dark circles shadowed his eyes from weeks of sleepless nights. "Emma, please don't do this... I know you're tired. I'm tired too." "But this is my responsibility. You can understand that, right?" I pulled my hands free and looked away. His voice began to tremble, but he kept it gentle. "Is this because I haven't been home for dinner? Or I forgot your birthday last week?" "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I promise once I finish this rush, we'll take a long vacation. Just the two of us, okay?" He reached for my hand again, stroking it the way he used to after every argument. I remembered our first year of marriage when I struggled with work and insomnia. He'd sit beside me just like this, never complaining and just saying, "Emma, I'm here." Now it felt like a sick joke. "Don't touch me," I said. His hand froze. "What's wrong with you? Is this really about me leaving for work in the middle of the night?" "Emma, death doesn't wait. What was I supposed to do, just leave a bead body alone?" "I don't care what you say. I want a divorce." I repeated it, my voice low but final. His eyes turned red instantly, like he was seeing me for the first time. "Are you serious?" I turned away from him, enunciating each word. "Tomorrow morning. 9 o'clock. My lawyer's office. I will have him draft the divorce agreement." Liam let out a bitter laugh, his voice breaking. "Emma, you owe me a reason. Is it because I am too busy? Or do you think Olivia and I—" "Leave her out of this," I cut him off. "It's you! You disgusts me." His face went white. His lips trembled, but no sound came out. "Is that really what you think of me?" His voice was hoarse and strained. "Olivia and I are just colleagues." I didn't want to hear another word. I got up and walked out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind me. He didn't follow and didn't try to explain. I heard the sound of glass shattering inside, followed by a muffled curse. Then my phone rang. It was Olivia. She was Liam's college ex and his partner at the funeral home. The phone rang for a long time before I finally answered. Her voice sounded tired. "Emma, Liam just called me in tears. Let me explain for him." "We've been followed up cases from the Park Avenue lately—" I hung up before she could finish. I sat on the couch, thinking back to six months ago when he came home late from a night shift. He was so exhausted he collapsed beside me without even changing. Eyes closed, he touched my face and whispered, "Emma, thank God you're here." Back then, I thought we'd last forever.
By the time I woke up, Liam was already gone. The living room was spotless. Even his coat from last night was neatly hung back on the rack. There was a breakfast prepared by Liam on the table. Next to it was a sticky note: Wait for me to come home. I'll make your favorite steak. I picked up the plate, walked to the kitchen and poured the breakfast into the rubbish bin. My phone buzzed in my pocket. A text from him. Emma, I'm at the funeral home. Did you have the breakfast? I didn't reply. A few minutes later, another message came through. Once I finish this week, I'll spend more time with you. Olivia and I really are just colleagues. I stared at the screen for a long time before finally typing back one line. 9 AM. Don't be late. Then I blocked his number. At eight-thirty, I stood outside my lawyer's office. People came and went. Most were couples, some clinging to each other sweetly, others staring ahead with cold indifference. I leaned against a pillar, watching the street. Nine-thirty. He didn't show. I pulled out my phone, unblocked him, and called. It rang three times before he declined it. Rage flared in my chest. I called again. This time, it went straight to voicemail. I waited another half hour. Just as I was about to dial again, an unknown number called me. I answered. A young woman spoke rapidly on the other end. "Mrs. Vance? This is City General Hospital. Your husband Liam was in a car accident and is currently in the emergency room. We need you to come at once." I froze, unable to process it. The voice on the line grew more urgent. "Mrs. Vance? Can you hear me? Mrs. Vance!" Before she could finish, I hung up and flagged down a cab. By the time I arrived, Liam had already been moved out of emergency surgery and into a private room. The hallway was packed with people. Several figures in dark funeral home uniforms stood in a cluster, speaking in low voices. One of them, a young woman, looked up and saw me. Her eyes immediately turned red as she rushed over. "Where the hell have you been?! Do you know Liam was calling your name the entire time he was being wheeled into the OR?!" "How is he?" I asked, looking toward the room. The woman's eyes went wide with fury, tears streaming down her face. "What are you planning to do?!" I ignored her and walked steadily toward Liam's bedside. He didn't look too bad. One eye was swollen shut, but the other stared directly at me. "You came... Don't worry. I'm okay." I clenched my fists, pulled a manila envelope from my bag, and took out the divorce settlement and a pen. "Sign this, or I won't pay a single cent of your medical bills." My voice was cold and detached, drawing shocked stares from everyone in the room. The woman from earlier lunged forward and slapped me hard across the face. "Liam got into that accident because he was distracted answering your call while working!" "And you have the audacity to threaten him with this?! Are you even human?!" Olivia's face was grave. She put a hand on my shoulder. "Emma, Liam and I really are just colleagues." "If you truly don't believe us, I'll resign. But you can't treat him like this. You're the only one in his heart." My cheek stung with pain. I shoved her hand off. "It's none of your business." I walked back to Liam's bedside and spoke again. "Sign the papers, or you may be kicked out of this hospital." Liam's open eye overflowed with tears. "Why?" he whispered. I looked down at him and said flatly, "Because you are so disgusting." Liam cried harder, his chest heaving with sobs. "I won't sign. I'd rather die than sign. I love you, Emma. I haven't done anything to betray you." "I already bought tickets to Hawaii... You said you wanted to go diving..." Several of the women in the room began crying softly. A sharp pain flared in my chest, but it faded just as quickly. I gritted my teeth and gripped the settlement papers even tighter. "Sign it."
Olivia snatched the divorce settlement out of my hand and tore it to shreds. "Emma! How can you do this?! Liam just got out of surgery. He's still weak and you can't do that now!" I turned and glared at her. Before I could speak, Liam cut in weakly. "Olivia, don't talk to Emma like that. This is my fault. I wasn't a good husband." He reached out with trembling fingers and tugged at the hem of my coat. I stepped back. "Don't touch me." Liam's face went even paler. "I'll never divorce over something this small. I already requested time off to stay with you..." Olivia stepped forward again. "We have nothing to hide. There's absolutely nothing between us." Her words made her sound noble and righteous, casting me as the hysterical, unreasonable wife. The others in the room looked at me with anger. I suddenly found the whole scene absurd. After a long silence, I finally spoke. "Fine. You two have nothing. But I still want to divorce." Liam stared at me, tears sliding silently down his cheeks. Olivia lowered her voice, sounding almost pleading. "Emma, can we talk about this after he recovers? Please. I'm begging you." I ignored her, my gaze fixed on Liam. "Sign it, or I walk out right now. Your choice." The young woman who had slapped me earlier tried to charge at me again but was held back by someone nearby. "How can you be so cold-blooded? He just barely survived!" ""It's his own life,," I said evenly, almost wearily. "It has nothing to do with me." Liam suddenly began coughing violently, his chest jerking with each breath. Olivia immediately pressed the call button. A nurse hurried in, frowning as she scanned the room. "The patient needs rest. Family members need to stay calm." The room fell into silence again. Liam bit his lip and stared at me, but he still didn't give in. "I'm calling our parents," I said. "Whatever." I turned and walked out.
I wandered aimlessly until I found myself standing outside the funeral home where Liam worked. "Mrs. Vance?" An older man approached me, though I didn't recognize him. "Do you know me?" I asked. He scratched his head, his tone hesitant. "Your picture is on Liam's phone case. I've seen it before." I pulled out a cigarette and offered him one, forcing a smile. "Could you show me where Liam usually works?" He took the cigarette and sighed. "Come on. I'll take you." The room was cold. I looked around, tapping on surfaces. Accidentally, I kicked something—a Zippo lighter. I remembered Olivia had one just like it. Just then, the older man spoke up. "Last night, Liam really was handling an urgent case. I probably shouldn't say anything, but Liam is a good kid." I didn't respond. Then my phone rang. It was the woman from the hospital. "Emma! Where the hell did you go?! Your parents are here now! Get back now!" "Do you hear me?!" I clutched the lighter tightly in my hand, my heart hollow and numb.
Watch? https://cps-front.novelix.live/app-api/ext/new/20260619cymxp8lxSO ? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "Novelix" app ? search for "ni534930", and watch the full series ✨! #Novelix