Chapter 4: Divorce by Barrage—My Turn to Walk Away

She looked me up and down.

The elevator doors opened, and I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirrored wall.

My face was pale and bruised, hair a mess, and I looked haggard. I didn’t look twenty-five—more like forty-five.

I couldn’t believe that after just three years, I’d become like this.

Shaking off my resentment, I looked back at Madison:

"I was in a car accident on the way to the airport and missed my flight. No go."

"What? Can’t you reschedule?"

Reschedule?

Everything the barrage said had come true. There was no point—and I wasn’t going to gamble anymore.

I didn’t answer her, but she kindly helped me back to Ethan’s room.

And at that moment, I saw the barrage again.

"Oh wow, the heroine just left Ethan, then bumped into the side character downstairs, and now she’s helping her up. What a showdown!"

"It’s all about the thrill. These two just made out behind the side character’s back, and now they’re face to face. So exciting!"

The so-called heroine in the barrage was Madison Lee?

My blood ran cold. I couldn’t believe what I was thinking.

But as Madison helped move a chair, I saw her neck.

Faint, unmistakable marks trailed down where her shirt didn’t cover.

She easily found the cushion I always used, and poured me a glass of water from my bag.

All my anger strangely calmed at that moment.

At this point, what was left to misunderstand?

The so-called heroine in the barrage was Madison Lee.

This person, who knew from the start that I was married to Ethan but still got involved, was the "heroine."

Maybe my stare was too cold, because Madison looked uneasy.

"Mrs. Miller, what’s wrong?"

"Look, the side character’s eyes are scary. Did she figure it out?"

"So what if she did? Everyone’s seen how good Madison was to her all these years. Blame the male lead for not controlling himself."

"Exactly, what’s wrong with Madison being brave for love?"

A bitter laugh slipped out. I really wanted to know what kind of story world I was living in.

They actually called someone who knowingly became a mistress innocent? Called breaking up a marriage ‘brave for love’? And said if I fought back after learning the truth, it was just disgusting jealousy?

I pushed down my thoughts and didn’t take the water she offered, just sneered at the cup.

"It’s nothing. It’s late—you should get back to campus."

Madison’s smile froze, but seeing how miserable I looked, she set down the cup and left.

I looked at Ethan lying in bed and said:

"Ethan, I know everything. Stop pretending—get up!"

He was so committed to the act that he didn’t move.

I sneered and didn’t force it.

My parents died in a factory accident. My grandparents taught me to survive on my own, but never taught me how to tell good from evil.

My few friends used to say I was slow. At best, I was patient. At worst, just dumb. Maybe both. I never cared before, but now I have to admit—they were right.

If I weren’t so naïve, I wouldn’t have just realized Ethan and Madison were playing me, or given up my grandparents’ house and my parents’ settlement for Ethan’s treatment.

But even if I’m slow, Grandma taught me: if you’re wrong, fix it; if something’s rotten, throw it out.

Since Ethan was a bitter fruit from the start, after suffering enough, I should toss him aside.

The next morning, I went to Dr. Cooper and asked to discharge Ethan, demanding a refund for the hospital fees I’d paid.

The doctor was as shocked as Madison had been the night before.

"Weren’t you going to bring in a doctor for Ethan? Why discharge him now?"

I gave the doctor I’d trusted for three years a cold, hard stare.

He was the one who said he could help Ethan, which is why I stayed at this hospital. He always checked on Ethan, and I thought he was a responsible doctor. Now I saw—he was just helping Ethan keep me here.

"Dr. Cooper, you know better than anyone if Ethan is really sick."

He fell silent.

Maybe I’d finally hit rock bottom, because I could actually laugh at that moment.

Without waiting for his answer, I went back to the room, packed my things, and left—without Ethan. I also charged the phone I’d bought him long ago and left it on the windowsill.

My grandparents’ house sold for $195,000, and with the $15,000 the hospital refunded, I had $210,000 in total.

With housing prices now, I could maybe buy a shoebox. Not that it mattered. I just wanted to get as far from Ethan Caldwell as possible.

I checked into a modest hotel.

I took out our marriage certificate and Ethan’s ID, put them in a bag, and sent them by courier to his hospital room.

Ethan must have realized he’d gone too far. When the doctor told him I was discharging him, he thought it was a joke. But then, a courier delivered a bag to him.