Chapter 2

The ward fell silent, and an unsettling tension permeated the air. Wanda walked over. She wanted to say something, but she couldn't find the right words. If she were in Elise's shoes, she wouldn't be able to stay calm either. Elise might've been patient and forgiving, but she wasn't an emotionless robot. All Wanda could do was advise her, "You're still injured, Mrs. Holt. Perhaps you should focus on getting better first." Elise ignored Wanda and stared straight at Samuel instead. The man sat on the couch with his legs crossed, looking calm and composed, as if divorce were nothing of importance. He looked at her apathetically and asked, "Is this because I didn't save you first?" To be honest, it wasn't merely because of that, but she didn't feel like explaining herself anymore. The only thing that mattered was getting what she wanted. "Yes." Samuel let out a low, mocking chuckle. "How petty." "What does 'divorce' mean, Zara? Does it mean she won't be my mom anymore?" Lucas inquired. Zara quietly explained, "No, it just means your mom and dad won't be husband and wife anymore. Don't worry, she's still your mom." Lucas' eyes lit up. "Does that mean you can marry my dad then, Zara?" Zara gently patted his head. "Your dad and I are siblings." Right after saying that, she looked up at Elise and smiled. "That's what I want to tell you as well, El. Sam and I are just siblings. I asked him to save you first back at the chapel, but I fainted. Don't blame Sam. If I'm the reason your marriage ends, I won't be able to forgive myself. I would rather have died under that rubble!" "Nonsense!" "You're not allowed to die, Zara!" Samuel and Lucas spoke in unison, both concerned for Zara. Yet, neither of them had asked Elise if she'd been scared or if her hand hurt. She told herself not to mind them. She didn't want them anymore anyway. "I'll sign the divorce papers. If there's anything you wish to modify, let me know, Mr. Holt." From the day they'd tied the knot, Elise had always addressed Samuel as "Mr. Holt" because that was what he wanted. It served as a constant reminder that their relationship was much like that of an employer and his employee. It was a contract that could be terminated at any time. He'd never seen her as his wife. For six years, she'd tried to change that. Yet, nothing ever did. Hence, she decided to let him go and free herself in the process. "Don't do anything rash, El—" Ignoring Zara, Elise left after saying her piece. Before the door to the ward closed, she heard Samuel's gentle voice. "Get some rest. She'll calm down on her own." Right. That was what she'd done for the past six years—swallowed her emotions and kept orbiting around them. "Mrs. Holt…" Wanda chased after her. "Please don't do anything rash…" "That's enough from you, Wanda." Elise stopped her. "I know what I'm doing." Wanda stood rooted to the spot and sighed repeatedly. "What a mess," she thought. … Elise returned to Hilltop Manor and printed two copies of the divorce papers. She didn't want custody of Lucas; she only wanted what was rightfully hers. After signing her name, she placed the papers on the coffee table, along with the credit card for household expenses, the keys for the car she used to pick Lucas up, and her wedding ring. Then, she went to the guest room to pack her belongings. They didn't even fill out her small suitcase. It was the same one she'd brought with her when she first moved in. It felt like a fitting way to close the chapter. Elise walked out, closed the door behind her, and didn't look back. … Before her mother, Evelyn Whitmore, passed away, she'd left Elise a small two-bedroom apartment measuring approximately 860 square feet in the outskirts of the city. It couldn't compare to even a bathroom at Hilltop Manor, but it was more than enough for her. Since she often dropped by to clean, the place was spotless. After setting her suitcase down in the bedroom, she sat on the couch. She was about to dial a number she hadn't called in ages when a knock sounded at the door. Elise froze for a moment before getting up to answer it. When she saw who it was, she was taken aback. "What are you doing here?" "Is that what matters right now? What are you doing here? Why aren't you resting in the hospital?" Henry Grayson reached out to grasp her arm. Yet, when he noticed the bandages on her right hand, he withdrew his hand. "Come on, we're leaving! No 'buts'." Elise had no choice but to follow him into the car. She climbed into the passenger seat and tried to pull the seatbelt across with her left hand, but she couldn't. Then, she heard him curse under his breath before he snatched it from her hand and clicked it in place. "Damn it!" While starting the engine, he fumed, "Do you have any idea how important your hands are? Did you seriously have to call him for help in that situation? Couldn't you have called the rescue team instead?" Henry was two years younger than her. He'd skipped a grade and eventually become her lab partner. Elise had always seen him as her younger brother, but the two of them worked well together. The only time they'd ever argued was when she'd decided to abandon her research to marry Samuel. They hadn't spoken since. Elise hadn't thought he'd find out so soon, much less show up at the apartment Evelyn had left her. "I'm getting a divorce." "You're getting a—what?" Henry was caught off guard. "I'm serious," she said. He chuckled dryly. "I didn't think a hopeless romantic like you would ever come to your senses." Elise took a look at her right hand. Her gaze was bleak as she responded, "Maybe it's because the problem's shifted elsewhere. I'm cured of my obsession with Samuel, but I lost my right hand." Henry swore under his breath again, his heart sinking. "You're going to be okay." Elise fell silent. She wanted to believe him, yet she couldn't bring herself to. … 40 minutes later, the two arrived at Centrux Hospital. Henry had made arrangements for her to see a doctor. "When did you find out?" Elise inquired. It had been too fast. He crossed his arms and snorted. "I'm not like a certain someone I know who can go six years without checking in on their lab partner." Elise felt a lump in her throat. She really had failed him. She couldn't even bring herself to tell him that she'd planned to call him earlier. "Let's get you admitted first," the doctor, Ben Quinton, said. "I've reviewed your report from Brookfield Hospital. I'll consult the other specialists tomorrow, and we'll proceed with the surgery." Elise wanted to ask if her hand could be saved, but she was afraid of disappointment. In the end, she simply nodded. After seeing Ben off, Henry asked, "Have you eaten?" Elise didn't want to trouble him any more than she already had, so she said she'd eaten. However, right after she said that, her stomach growled. She was mortified. "Wait here!" Henry gave her a pointed look before storming off to get her something to eat.