I Saw His Promise I Filed For Divorce

Chapter 2

"Really? Is he that good to you?"

"He doesn't just take care of Coralie. He takes care of us, too. Whether it's a headache or an aching leg, he takes us straight to the hospital to get us checked out and picks up whatever medicine we need. He's as good to us as a son of our own. Coralie's so lucky to have found a man who cares about her this much. It's a blessing."

"Then I'm happy for you."

I smiled bitterly at my own foolishness. In the three years we'd been married, Derek had never visited my parents, much less taken them to a doctor. He could be so devoted to someone else and so indifferent to me. I hadn't known how much that could hurt.

"That's enough, Mom. The doctor has plenty to do. Don't hold her up."

Coralie gave me an apologetic look and pressed a small bag of candy into my hand.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Sutton. My mom can be a little chatty. These are favors for our engagement party. Have some candy and celebrate with us."

The little bag was light, but in my hand it felt unbearably heavy. Maybe I'd just never imagined receiving one of my own husband's engagement party favors.

I nodded and turned away without looking at Derek once. A little later, my phone chimed. He'd sent me a text.

Derek: Lydia, let's talk.

I didn't reply. By the time I'd finished treating all the patients, 30 minutes had passed. He was waiting beside the ambulance.

"What do you want?"

I looked around and realized Coralie and Nadine had already left. Derek studied my face, trying to read my expression.

"Lydia, Coralie's a patient of mine. She can't handle emotional distress."

I laughed.

"And I'm supposed to be able to handle it? My psychologist said the same thing after my amputation three years ago. Did you care then?"

He fell silent, and the air between us grew tense. After a long pause, his voice softened.

"Lydia, Coralie grew up without a father. She's emotionally fragile..."

"That's not my fault. Why is it my problem?" I cut him off, my voice firm. "I want a divorce."

"You want a divorce over a little thing like this? I already told you there's nothing going on between us. I'm just doing what I was hired to do. Why can't you believe me?"

"Derek, the way you treat her says it all. You've fallen in love with her. Do you even realize it?"

I looked calmly into his eyes as the love I'd held on to for years slowly crumbled.

"If I hadn't caught you today, you two might've been throwing a party for your new baby by the next time I saw you."

He didn't answer. Before he left, all he said was, "Stop being unreasonable. I'll come home once I've finished this job."

He didn't know I'd slipped off my wedding ring the moment he turned away.

'This time, I'm not going back.'