He Ignored My Pleas, I Ended Our Marriage

Chapter 2

By the time I finished the admission procedure, it was nearly midnight. The doctor rescheduled Yvonne's surgery for three days later, on the condition that I pay the full amount by tomorrow afternoon.

When I went home to get the property deed, the living room was brightly lit. Clara was sitting on the sofa barefoot in my pajamas, her eyes red-rimmed. Callum was crouched in front of her, blow-drying her soaked long hair. The moment he saw me, he turned off the hairdryer, stood up, and took my bag.

"Why is she in our house? And in my clothes?"

Callum paused, then said flatly, "Clara's dad was admitted to the hospital. She was scared of being home alone, and she didn't bring any clothes when she rushed out—so she's borrowing yours. Anyway, why are you back so late?"

His gaze fell on the bandage, and his face darkened slightly. "You're hurt this badly—why didn't you tell me?"

"I did tell you. You said not to be so dramatic."

Callum hesitated, then took hold of my wrist. "The rain was too heavy back then—I didn't see clearly."

He took out the first-aid kit and half-knelt to change my dressing. His movements were gentle and practiced. "Don't be mad. Clara's place has a leak, so I let her stay in the guest room for now. Tomorrow I'll take you to that restaurant you like."

Once upon a time, that perfunctory tenderness would have been enough to soften my heart. But Clara had barely coughed once before he dropped the half-applied bandage and hurried over to her. "Did you catch a cold?"

"It's nothing. Vivian's hurt, you should stay with her," Clara protested verbally, but her body leaned into his arms.

Callum felt her forehead. "You've got a fever, and you're still saying it's nothing."

"Clara, give the money back."

The living room fell silent at once. She lifted her head from his chest, tears rolling down her face. "Vivian, my dad is still lying in the hospital—how can you press me for money at a time like this?"

"That was surgery money."

"Your mom's surgery can be rescheduled. My dad is dying."

"So is his mother."

The moment the words left my mouth, Callum's face turned cold. "Vivian, that's enough." His voice was restrained, but his arm shielded her firmly. I knew this was the precursor to his anger. "Do you have to drive Clara to her knees begging you before you're satisfied?"

"I just want the money back."

"I'm the one who borrowed it. Take it up with me."

Callum stepped closer and tucked my damp, cold collar in for me. "You've always been kind. Don't let jealousy turn you into someone unrecognizable. Tomorrow, I'll figure out a way to raise the money. It won't delay your mom's surgery."

"How are you planning to raise it?"

"I put the car up as collateral. Should be able to borrow another $10,000."

My breath caught sharply. That car had been a wedding gift from my father, registered in my name. Callum explained it all as casually as could be. "I just used the vehicle registration for a short-term loan. I didn't sign your name. You can still drive the car."

"Without my signature, what did you use for collateral?"

He averted his gaze. On the coffee table lay a loan application, and my name was staring back at me in the spouse's signature section. The handwriting was a convincing imitation but it wasn't mine.

Callum leaned down and patted my head, as if coaxing a tantrum-throwing child. "I signed for you. We're married. I'd never hurt you, right?"

"Withdraw the application."

"Clara's dad just got out of surgery and needs follow-up treatment. We'll talk about it once things stabilize."

Clara walked over holding a medicine cup, and on her wrist was the jade bracelet Yvonne had given me at my wedding. "How did that bracelet end up on your wrist?"

She hurriedly tried to hide it under her sleeve. Callum stepped in front of her and explained gently, "Clara's been shivering ever since the scare. I heard jade can calm nerves, so I lent it to her for the night."

"That was meant for me—from Mom."

"It's just a bracelet. Honey, when did you become so petty?" He pressed down on my outstretched hand, his tone helpless and indulgent.

Clara looked down and stroked the bracelet, and I caught the corner of her mouth curling up at me with provocation. The next second, she turned and pushed open my bedroom door.