LEAVE WITH NOTHING
1212 Words
Indeed, it was true.
In the Little Daisy Garden at the hospital, Stephanie saw Lucy sitting on a bench, with a tall man standing right beside her. He was still wearing the same clothes from when he left home last night, clearly having stayed by her side since then without leaving.
"Nicholas, look, there are koi fish in this pond!"
This hospital was the best private hospital in Northern Marketplace, and even a small garden like Little Daisy had everything.
They were standing next to a small pond within the garden. Lucy leaned forward to peer into the water, and Nicholas kept his hand hovering protectively over her shoulder, afraid she might accidentally fall in.
Lucy must have seen something interesting, as she tugged at his sleeve and looked up at him with a smile.
If she weren't his wife, and if she hadn't just gone through the fear of almost losing someone dear, Stephanie would have had to admire their loving scene.
Perhaps Stephanie and James's gaze was too obvious, as Nicholas noticed them. His deep eyes swept over to them, and upon recognizing Stephanie, there was a hint of surprise in his gaze.
"Nicholas, what are you looking at?"
"Nothing."
But as soon as Lucy called out to him, Nicholas quickly averted his gaze, as if afraid Lucy would notice her.
At that moment, Stephanie almost wanted to laugh. She could barely tell who was his wife—her or Lucy.That jerk!"
Beside her, James was fuming as she watched the scene unfold. She rolled up her sleeves, ready to march over to Nicholas.
Even though her family wasn't as powerful or wealthy as the Howards, this was just too much to bear!
"James!"
But Stephanie quickly grabbed her arm, stopping her. "Don't go causing trouble with them!"
"But—"
"I'm fine!"
Stephanie didn't want James to get into a conflict with Nicholas for her sake. It wouldn't do them any good.
"Let's go see my dad." Stephanie tugged James along, heading toward the second hospital building.
James walked beside her, calling out, "Steph."
She still felt a bit unwilling and worried as she called her.
Stephanie remained calm. As they passed by Nick and his group and approached the second hospital building, Stephanie stopped. "It's really okay, I don't care anymore. I've asked him for a divorce."
"What?"
James was stunned, her mouth agape. "Steph, what did you say?"
"I said, I'm divorcing Nick."
Stephanie brushed her wind-tousled hair aside. "Steph, a cheating man is like a festering wound. If you don't cut it out, the rot will only spread, and the pain will deepen.""I've made up my mind to divorce."
She did love him, but his actions hurt her too deeply.
He left her during their intimate moments to be with Lucy; he stayed with Lucy when her father was in critical condition; she asked him for some money, and he refused, yet he spent millions on Lucy's birthday.
Yes, Nicholas left her last night to celebrate Lucy's birthday.
She found out through the gossip of some young nurses.
Stephanie and James had just overheard the backstory of Lucy's illness, which was caused by Nicholas throwing a million-dollar cruise party for her birthday. They watched fireworks and drone shows at sea, and Lucy caught a cold from the wind.
Stephanie had been married to Nicholas for three years, yet he never remembered her birthday or their anniversaries. Even his subordinates called her Miss Wilson instead of Mrs. Howard.
All these things had left her heartbroken.
...
After deciding to divorce, Stephanie planned to make one last trip to the Howard residence. She needed to pack her belongings and retrieve important identification documents.
James was supposed to accompany her, but he had to leave due to an unexpected matter.
However, Stephanie felt she could manage on her own.
She returned to the Howard residence, went straight to her room, and began packing her suitcase.
When he returned, she was halfway through packing."What are you doing?"
Seeing her actions, he looked a bit puzzled.
Stephanie paused briefly when she heard his voice but quickly resumed packing.
She didn't have time to waste talking to him. After moving out, she needed to find a job immediately.
Although James had covered her medical bills, it wasn't free money. She had to earn enough to pay him back.
She never felt the lack of money was a hardship before. As long as she was with Nicholas, everything seemed manageable. But after last night's embarrassment, she realized... only money wouldn't betray her.
"Stephanie, I'm talking to you."
Nicholas hadn't expected her to ignore him.
In the past, whenever he was around, even if they were several feet apart, he could feel her gaze fixed on him.
Feeling a bit annoyed, Nicholas reached out and pulled her up from where she was crouched by the suitcase, pinning her against the wall.
"Let me go!"
Stephanie hadn't anticipated his sudden move. His tall frame loomed over her, pressing close through their clothes.
Stephanie's heart skipped a beat, and she cursed herself for being so weak. She reached out to push Nick away.
"Why were you at the hospital just now?"
"I wasn't following you."
Hearing her anxious defense, Nick couldn't help but chuckle slightly. His long fingers gently brushed Stephanie's chin. "Yeah, I know.""Your face is so pale. Are you feeling unwell? Should I call the family doctor to check on you?"
"No."
His sudden closeness made Stephanie uncomfortable. She turned her face away, biting her lower lip unconsciously.
There was a dull ache in her heart.
He noticed her pale face and asked if she was unwell, but how did he not see the needle marks on the back of her hand?
His hand was clearly pressing down on hers, wasn't it?
To prevent her from struggling, Nick had one large hand on her shoulder and the other on her hand, with his long fingers resting right where the needle mark was.
His fingertips pressed down slightly, causing a sharp pain at the spot where she'd been pricked, but Stephanie gritted her teeth and endured it.
"Stay away from me."
"Why?"
Stephanie looked up at the person in front of her, her gaze serious. "Nick, if I remember correctly, I told you last night that I want a divorce."
"Since we're getting a divorce, it's not right for us to be this close."
"What did you say?"
Nick's expression had just started to soften due to their current proximity, but her words caught him off guard.
His face turned completely cold, and he stared intently atthe spot where she'd been pricked, but Stephanie gritted her teeth and endured it.
"Stay away from me."
"Why?"
Stephanie looked up at the person in front of her, her gaze serious. "Nick, if I remember correctly, I told you last night that I want a divorce."
"Since we're getting a divorce, it's not right for us to be this close."
"What did you say?"
Nick's expression had just started to soften due to their current proximity, but her words caught him off guard.
His face turned completely cold, and he stared intently at the woman in front of him.
"I said, I want a divorce!" Stephanie repeated firmly.
- Writer
