Chapter 2 Who Would Ever Know How Good I Was?

The world around him was silent. Only an unshakable attachment lingered in the air. After a long pause, Chase murmured softly again, “Mom, I want a divorce.” He lowered his head in silence, something wet slipping from the corner of his eye. Only the tombstone bore witness to his whisper. If only we’d never gotten married. On the way back, he stopped by the law office to pick up the divorce papers he’d prepared a while ago. The moment he first brought it up to his mother-in-law, he’d already made up his mind. He figured, if Wendy no longer had feelings for him, then ending things early would be best. It would keep her from missing the chance to get back together with Henry. He didn’t have much at home. Almost like he’d known this day would come from the start, he had never left a trace of himself in that place. After packing for the entire afternoon, all he had was a small suitcase. If it weren’t for the fact that he had actually lived there for five years, anyone would’ve thought he was just visiting on a business trip. That evening, Wendy came home surprisingly early. The moment she opened the door, she wasn’t greeted by the usual warmth, nor the sight of Chase cooking in the kitchen. The unfamiliar silence made her heart lurch for a moment. On instinct, she took out her phone and called Chase. Meanwhile, over at Arthur University’s medical school, Chase’s former mentor could hardly believe the transformation. Just five years of married life had turned a bright, promising young man into someone worn down and hollow. He had once been his best student—his most talented protégé! Before graduating, Chase had already been offered full scholarships from Ivy League schools abroad, along with offers from top hospitals. Everyone had assumed he’d take the best path available to him. No one expected that instead, he’d get married. And that he’d be so unhappy. “Chase… what happened to you?” the elderly mentor asked, heart aching. His wrinkled hand reached out to hold Chase’s. “If you’re truly unhappy, take a different road. You know how many people are still waiting for you to return to the operating room?” Chase was the only medical student allowed to scrub in on real surgeries alongside renowned doctors before graduation. His hands were steady, precise, and bold. Not a single person in the field could find fault with his technique. Chase gave a small laugh and patted his mentor’s hand reassuringly. “The divorce will be finalized soon. I actually came today to ask if you could help me reinstate my student status. I’ll handle the paperwork in the next few days.” At that, the mentor’s eyes lit up. “Really?” “Yeah.” Chase felt a rare sense of clarity and said softly, “It’s been five years. I’d say we’re even now. After this, we can each go our own way. I’ll be signing the divorce papers tonight. The overseas spot you mentioned before—for Darovia Medical School… is that still open?” “It is, it is!” The professor rummaged through his drawers and pulled out the application Chase had once submitted. “Look—I’ve already signed my part. All that’s missing is yours.” Of course the old man had been thinking of him all this time. As Chase walked out of the office, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen. It was Wendy. He couldn’t even remember the last time they’d talked on the phone. Whenever he called to ask if she’d be home for dinner, her secretary was the one who picked up. “Where are you?” Her voice came through muffled, like she’d just taken off her coat. After a pause, he said, “At school. My professor asked me to come in.” Wendy frowned. “You graduated ages ago. What could they possibly want? Just come home.” “Okay.” His voice was as calm as ever, revealing nothing, but inside, he felt a strange flicker of hope. His packed suitcase was in plain view in the living room. If Wendy cared at all, she’d notice it. He opened the door with his fingerprint and walked into silence. His gaze landed on the suitcase by the couch—still right where he’d left it. Untouched. What exactly was I hoping for? “I’m heading out now. Don’t worry,” he said into the phone. Wendy had just gotten out of the shower. Her hair was still damp, and her face looked tense. On any other day, he would’ve reminded her to dry her hair before going out. Even if she found it annoying, he would’ve done it himself. But today, Chase silently pulled out the divorce agreement. He was still standing at the door, hadn’t even taken off his shoes. He didn’t have to guess. It was definitely about Henry. As soon as the call ended, Wendy dialed her assistant. “Drive over now. Pick up Henry and Joy. Joy has a fever. Take them to the hospital. I’ll be there soon.” She walked past Chase as if he were a piece of furniture, not a living person. But this time, Chase didn’t hold back. He handed her the divorce papers directly. “Sign it.” Only then did Wendy glance at him, her expression pausing. “You… Joy’s sick. I’m going to check on her.” “It’s fine.” Chase nodded. “Once we’re divorced, you can openly take care of Mr. Henry and his child.” “Don’t be dramatic. I’m in a rush.” She had one hand on the phone, the other pulling on a coat. When Chase didn’t move, she snatched the papers and pen from him and signed her name quickly. Her face full of irritation, she muttered, “The only time you ever take initiative is when you want money.” Chase was stunned. Even after she handed the papers back, he didn’t look up. “Wendy, do you even know what you just signed?” “Isn’t it the adoption agreement?” she snapped. “We’ve never had kids. My mom’s been nagging me for years. Didn’t she tell us to adopt? I’m just saying, I don’t have the time.” Adoption? A kid? There had been talk of that, sure. But Chase had thought, in a marriage like theirs, no child would be happy in that home, so he’d refused. Her phone rang again, loud and shrill. In that moment, Chase wanted to snatch it out of her hand and throw it away. He wanted to scream. You don’t see me. You don’t think about me. Weren’t you the one who said we’d build a life together? There had been a time when he and Wendy were happy. It was around their first year of marriage. Maybe when Henry had finally settled down abroad, Wendy stopped hoping and turned back to Chase with the intention of truly trying. That had been one of the few happy chapters in his life. He’d gone to class during the day, cooked at night. The same hands that once danced across the surgical table had made soup just for Wendy. “Was Henry good to you?” Chase asked suddenly. “Back then, I mean.” Wendy didn’t pause for even a second. At the door, she glanced back at him with a cold, shadowed look. “Don’t start.” “Wendy, I…” Before he could finish, the door slammed shut in his face. He stood there for a few seconds, then let out a dry laugh. What was I even hoping for? Hadn’t he known all along how obsessed Wendy was with Henry? If that’s the case, what more was there to say? The signed divorce papers were already in his hand. He gripped them tightly, walked over to the couch, and picked up the suitcase that had been sitting there all day. He looked around one last time at the home he’d lived in for five years. Even though he had never felt warmth here, he still saw it as home—because it was where he and Wendy lived. Especially after his mother died. He couldn’t help wondering how long it would take Wendy to realize he was gone. The unloved leaves, and the loved one takes their place. So will Henry live here?