Enough Pain, I’m Done with You

Chapter 2 I Must Divorce

In my past life, hesitation and compromise ultimately led to my downfall. This time, I wouldn't go soft.

I must get a divorce.

The paperwork wouldn't be finalized immediately, but I could at least move out of the marital home first.

Every second I spent in the same space as Hobert felt like t*****e.

Moving out wasn't exactly hard, but it wasn't entirely easy either.

I'd always liked open, minimalist spaces, so I didn't have much to pack.

Now, with everything sorted, I only needed two suitcases for my essentials.

I waited all day for Hobert to reply to my message about the divorce, but by midnight, there was still no word.

I called him, but Aisha answered the phone.

"Mrs. Stein, Mr. Stein is still at a social event. Would you like me to pass along a message?"

I was about to ask why she was the one answering when, through the phone, I heard Hobert's voice calling out softly, "Aisha."

What a terrible lie.

Then it hit me—today was supposed to be the day Aisha was with me for the bone marrow transplant. So where did this "social event" come from?

I couldn't be bothered to play along anymore. I replied coolly, "If he's busy, then I won't interrupt. When he's free, tell him I've prepared the divorce papers. He just needs to sign them."

Aisha's voice practically bubbled with excitement. "...Okay."

I moved back into the small apartment my parents had bought for me before I married Hobert.

After three days of settling in, Hobert still hadn't reached out.

I went to his office, but the receptionist told me he was on vacation.

Next, I went to our home—no, his home now—and to my surprise, Aisha was the one who opened the door.

She was perfectly made up, looking every bit the picture of elegance and grace.

I stepped inside without any pleasantries and asked bluntly, "Where's Hobert?"

"He just fell asleep. Is there something you need?"

Aisha was acting like she owned the place, casually playing the role of the "lady of the house." "Maybe you can come back another time?"

I scoffed. "Ms. Wilson, is your company's partnership really that close now?"

Yes, Aisha had originally been the liaison for the project between Hobert's company and others.

She was smart, ambitious, and willing to do whatever it took to make things happen.

Hobert, lonely and craving attention, soon fell for her.

Eventually, he brought her into his own company. Though she wasn't officially appointed yet, to Aisha, it was just as good as being the "future Mrs. Stein."

"Ms. Wilson, don't you think it's a bit premature to be acting like the lady of the house? What exactly gives you the right?"

Aisha let out a light laugh, her tone dripping with contempt. "Foolish woman. You're all the same."

"You've lost everything, so you're clinging to a meaningless title."

"You call yourself Mrs. Stein, but have you ever truly cared for your husband? Do you know how hard he works?"

"The peaceful life you enjoy as Mrs. Stein is all thanks to him working himself to the bone!"

"He's been working around the clock these past few days, and I've been the one by his side."

"You probably don't even know, but when he woke up, the first person he called was Aisha."

"Not you, Mrs. Stein!"

I knew she was deliberately trying to provoke me.

If this had happened in my past life, I would have been furious.

But now, all my feelings had long since faded. I was a person already on the verge of death, so I didn't care anymore.

I pulled out the divorce papers from my bag and handed them to her. "Fine. Here. Please take these and have him sign them, then send them back to me."

Aisha reached out, but instead of taking the papers, she grabbed my wrist.

Before I could react, the papers flew out of my hand, landing all over her. She turned her face away, her eyes misting with fake tears.

Was she seriously trying to play the victim?

Before I could say anything, Hobert's voice, full of anger, came from behind me. "Kellie, apologize."

Hobert looked pale, but he immediately stepped forward and shielded Aisha with his body.

Aisha's lips curled into a smug smile.

Her acting was clumsy, but it was effective.

These two had successfully provoked my anger.

I was dying, and yet I had to endure this humiliation?

I bent down, picked up the scattered papers, and held them in my left hand. With my right hand, I slapped Aisha hard across the face.

The sound of the slap echoed in the room.

Then, I threw the papers at both of their heads.

The imprint of my hand was visible on Aisha's face. Her eyes watered as she looked at Hobert. "Hobert..."

Hobert gently patted her shoulder, frowning as he looked at me. "Kellie, look at what you've become."

"You're even worse than a village shrew."

I used to let these insults get to me, telling myself that as a high-ranking executive, I shouldn't act like this.

But what was the point of compromising and enduring anymore?

Time was running out. I wanted a satisfying ending.

"Enough with the useless talk. If you can't stand seeing her suffer, then hurry up and divorce me, so you can marry her."

"Let her have a proper title, so she won't have to suffer in silence, living with no status!"

Hobert's face darkened. He turned to Aisha, speaking gently as he said, "Go to the hospital, get some medicine, and then go home and rest."

"We can't have you continuing to suffer."

Aisha nodded reluctantly and left, giving me a look of pity.

I had planned to leave as well, but Hobert stopped me. "Don't you want to talk?"

The divorce still had to be discussed with him in person, so I followed Hobert into the study.

Once inside, he immediately pulled me into his arms, pressing me against the door.

"Kellie, what's inside your heart? Why is it so cold?"

"I've been working non-stop for days because of a problem with the project. I saw all your calls and your divorce request. I left an important client meeting to come find you. I haven't eaten properly for days, and now I'm fainting from exhaustion."

"I just woke up."

"You don't care about me, but you're throwing a tantrum."

He buried his face in my neck, his voice full of feigned helplessness. "Kellie, can't you feel sorry for me?"

Felt sorry for you? Who was going to feel sorry for me?

He lightly blamed it all on me having a bad temper.

Before I could figure out how to respond, Hobert moved in closer.

He lowered his head, his warm breath against my skin.

For a brief moment, I saw in my mind's eye the image of him holding Aisha like this in the past.

It made me sick.

I shoved him away and rushed to the bathroom.

But as soon as I vomited, it was nothing but blood.

Blood splattered across the toilet, the floor, and the sink, spreading out like a flower in bloom.

I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture.

When I came back out, Hobert's face was stone cold.

"Kellie, do you really hate me that much? We haven't even divorced yet!"