Chapter 3 When I went to the hospital alone to get a cast , I was used to being by myself . But when the doctor noticed there was no one with me , he asked , his voice almost too curious , " Ma'am , did you come by yourself ? Why didn't you bring any family members ? " I was just about to answer him when I overheard two nurses gossiping as they passed by the door . " Mr. Maxwell really dotes on his wife . He called all the top doctors in the hospital and booked the entire floor to make sure no one disturbed her while she rested . " The other one said , " You should have seen how anxious he was when he brought her to the hospital . It was as if anything happened to her , he'd go with her . " The nurse with her concurred and even added to it . " And their son , daughter , and grandchildren ? Even their daughter - in - law and son - in - law stayed right by Mrs. Maxwell's side , not leaving her for a second , just in case anything happened . " Hearing their words , I looked at my phone and felt my heart sink as I saw that there were no messages or calls . Then , I turned back to the doctor and forced a smile , even though it felt like my heart had broken a little . " I don't have any family , " I said , my voice soft . The doctor immediately softened , looking at me with sympathy . " Finally , I was pulled into the operating room , my mind dazed as I watched helplessly while Chapter 2 ΔΙΑ 67 % 23:16 Mon , Aug 11 FINDIN 11/30 hilllan intT מלח 60 % aniacAZ SAINIA X the doctor transfused 1000cc of blood from me into Ingrid's body . The whole time , I felt like a bystander in my own life , just going through the motions , too numb to stop anything . For the next three days , Franco didn't check on me once . He stayed glued to Ingrid's side while Andrew , Karla , and the grandchildren visited her in the hospital. They didn't visit me at all because they simply couldn't be bothered . On the fourth day , I was finally discharged , still feeling lightheaded and exhausted . As I was paying the bill alone , I ran into Franco and Ingrid in the lobby . Of course , Franco was helping Ingrid walk , cradling her like she was made of glass . Meanwhile , Andrew , Karla , Dylan , and Marian trailed behind , all doting on Ingrid like she was the queen of the world . When they saw me , Franco stopped and walked over . His face was grim , his words colder than I expected . " We're divorced now . It's not good for you to stay in the house anymore . Pack your things and move out today . " I didn't even hesitate as I said , " Okay . " Franco looked taken aback by how quickly I agreed , as if he had expected more resistance . Maybe he thought I'd make a scene , try to change his mind . But I was too tired for that and too tired to fight for someone who'd never fought for me . Right there , I saw the confusion flicker in his eyes , a slight twinge of guilt maybe , but he quickly covered it up . He opened his mouth to say something , but stopped when Ingrid winced , clutching her head . " Franco , my head hurts so much , " she said , her voice trembling . Without even sparing me a second glance , Franco rushed to her , the rest of the room frozen in concern . I didn't wait for him . spun around and left the hospital immediately , feeling both burdened and oddly free . When I got home , I started packing my belongings . I had lived in that house for thirty years , but as I looked around , I realized I didn't have much - just a few clothes and a few memories . The rest of the house was filled with things for Franco and the kids . They had their needs and wants , and I had given them everything . Chapter 3 2/3 8.9 % 23:16 Mon , Aug 11 no raerat TND Oiled in THON ANITA Tinne tar brann an the VIND 11031 HOA THATE noane 1 D X As I began sorting through the things I once thought were so important - memories of our kids growing up and small gifts Franco had given me - I discovered a metal box under the bed . I opened it , and inside , there was a fake rose worth $ 15 and a pull - tab from a soda can . I picked up the items , looked at them for a long moment , then went directly to the trash and threw them all away . I threw away the album , the one I had carefully compiled with all our memories . When Franco came home , he saw what I was doing . He frowned , like he couldn't understand what was happening . " I just asked you to move out . There's no need to throw everything away . After all , we're going to remarry . " I didn't even look up as I replied , " These are old things . They're useless . I threw them away to make room . " Franco looked like he wanted to say something , but before he could , his phone vibrated in his pocket . He pulled it out and glanced at it . Ingrid's message . Suddenly , he seemed to remember why he'd come back . He turned to me , his voice a little softer , though still guarded . " Ingrid's been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer . She has only a month to live . Before she dies , she wants to see the snow mountains in Grandshire . The kids and I are planning to take her there . " Franco paused , his eyes flickering with something unreadable , and then added , " We're divorced now , and if I bring you along , people might gossip . Just stay here . After I fix Maxwell Group , I'll take you anywhere you want to go . " I shook my head , my voice low , but firm . " No need . " Franco furrowed his eyebrows , clearly not hearing me correctly . " What did you say ? " I didn't repeat myself . I just smiled , the kind of smile that didn't reach my eyes . " Nothing , " I said softly . I wanted to tell him that we no longer have a future together and that he didn't need to explain himself . That there was nothing left to save between us . But I couldn't bring myself to say it aloud . It didn't matter anymore . I had already made my peace . Chapter 3