Chapter 6

My voice came through the phone—clear, final, unshakable.

Robert froze. Then his expression darkened like a storm rolling in.

"What the hell are you talking about? I'm telling you one last time—get back here. Now."

"Robert," I said slowly, "if you didn't hear me the first time, I'll say it again. I don't love you anymore."

And the strangest thing happened: I felt nothing. No heartbreak. No pain. Just an overwhelming sense of relief.

"I gave you so many chances," I continued. "But you never cared. Everything you have—your career, your reputation, your precious status—it all came from my parents. And after they died, you started cheating. You took what should've been mine and handed it to her. You thought I had nowhere to go, didn't you?"

I paused, letting the words sink in.

"But you forgot something, Robert. Everything you have was built on being my husband. The moment I'm gone, it all goes with me."

"I assume you've received the lawsuit by now. Don't call me again."

"Scarlett—"

I hung up before he could finish. Then I blocked William's number too, just for good measure.

William noticed immediately. His irritation with Robert bubbled over into open contempt.

"Everyone knows how you got where you are," he said coldly. "It's just that no one wanted to say it out loud. But now? Now it's out in the open. Wake up, Sullivan. You're not special."

Robert's pride—years of carefully constructed arrogance—shattered in an instant. He looked ready to lunge at William, fists clenched.

But then he remembered: the hospital's new research initiative. The one tied to my father's work. The director had personally invited him to lead it, saying he was the only one qualified.

Robert straightened, his confidence returning.

"That project is mine," he said sharply. "The hospital needs me. I'm the only one who can handle it."

William laughed—a short, bitter sound.

"You really think you're irreplaceable, don't you?" He shook his head. "Scarlett handed over Dr. Lewis's research before she left. While you were off playing house with Jessica, someone else already took your spot. Face it, Robert—you're not as important as you think."

Robert stood there, frozen, his face drained of color.

Behind him, a cluster of nurses whispered among themselves.

"So the rumors were true. He really did drive his wife away. What a creep."

"If my husband treated me like that, I'd be out the door in a heartbeat. God, that's terrifying."

"I always said something was off about him. No one believed me. Well, look at him now."

Robert snapped.

He lunged at William, and the two men crashed into each other, grappling in the hallway like animals.

Then, in the chaos, a familiar ringtone cut through the noise—Jessica's custom tone.

Robert shoved William off and fumbled for his phone.

On the other end, Jimmy's sobs mixed with Jessica's shrill screaming:

"Robert! Where the hell are you? Come get Jimmy—now!"