Chapter 39: Awakening After the Shattered Marriage
Evelyn Carter dragged her exhausted body to Vivian Dempsey’s apartment.
She had only packed a few changes of clothes and a small purse, not even her daily skincare products.
During the downpour, she held a cloth bag over her head, but still got drenched. Water droplets slid down her cheeks—whether rain or tears, she couldn’t tell.
The cheap bag was now soaked and misshapen, unusable by tomorrow.
Alexander Hamilton had sent her a new bag, identical to the old one, down to the worn edges. She didn’t want to know how he found it or why he bothered.
Vivian shook the gift box. “Same as before—return it?”
“Just throw it away.”
“No return this time?” Vivian raised an eyebrow.
“Returning it would just give Annabelle another excuse to stir trouble.” Evelyn rubbed her temples. “I don’t want anything to do with them anymore.”
Vivian scoffed. “That Annabelle is clearly trouble.”
Deep down, Evelyn knew what truly hurt her was Alexander’s choice. Annabelle was just the catalyst that sped up the collapse of her marriage.
Together, they carried the box downstairs and tossed it into the trash bin. Evelyn snapped a photo and sent it to Vivian.
“Post it? How about the caption ‘Screw your pity’?” Vivian grinned.
“No words. The picture speaks for itself.”
The moment Vivian posted it, Nathan York’s like popped up.
“Does this guy live on social media?” Vivian muttered.
Evelyn checked the time. “Delete it.”
“So soon?”
“The right person has already seen it.”
Vivian’s eyes widened in realization. “Brilliant. You’re drawing the line for good.”
“I just want my life back.” Evelyn gazed at the night outside.
Those three years of marriage had been an elaborate lie. She thought she’d found true love, that her mother-in-law treated her like a daughter.
Only when the truth came out did she realize she was merely a supporting character in Alexander and Annabelle’s love story. Her existence was just to highlight their “unbreakable bond.”
The next day during rounds, Olivia Lightfoot sidled up to her, whispering, “Dr. Carter, guess who I saw last night on duty?”
Evelyn flipped through charts without looking up. “Hmm?”
“Your ex-husband brought his mistress for a prenatal checkup!” Olivia stomped her foot indignantly.
“I know.”
“You knew?!” Olivia gaped. “He actually told you? Don’t tell me he expects you to deliver her baby!”
Evelyn tapped Olivia’s head with the chart. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Good.” Olivia exhaled. “But how did you find out?”
“Check their next appointment for me.”
Olivia quickly pulled up the records. “Every Saturday morning.”
Evelyn nodded and went to adjust her shift schedule with the scheduling coordinator.
She thought this would keep her far away from those two—but fate had other plans.
That afternoon, she ran into Alexander again in the hospital hallway.
