My Doctor Husband Made Me Book Appointments, So I Booked Our Divorce Chapter 02

I sat on the cold chair, replaying every hurt from the past two years until bitterness rose in my throat.

I had no idea how much time passed before the operating room doors finally opened.

I rushed forward in fear, my lips trembling as I spoke.

“Doctor, how’s my dad?”

The doctor removed his mask. “The surgery was successful, but your father has several underlying conditions. His recovery will need careful attention.”

The tightness in my chest finally eased.

After arranging for a private caregiver for Dad, I headed home to pack what I needed and take my son to Evan’s parents.

I stepped out of the elevator lobby on the inpatient floor and came face-to-face with Evan and Brooke.

“Claire? How did you find us up here?”

Brooke’s voice was sharp and accusing.

Evan frowned and shot me a glare.

Without a word, I turned sideways and slipped past Evan.

He looked startled for a moment, then turned and caught my wrist.

“Claire, what happened?”

I looked back at him. His face was as handsome as ever, but a hint of anxiety had crept into it. There was no mistaking the concern in his eyes.

I’d called him so many times, and he hadn’t even asked what was wrong.

When I’d needed him most, he hadn’t been there.

Only when it was all over did he turn up with concern that came too late.

I didn’t need it anymore.

I pulled my hand free and left the elevator lobby without looking back.

As he watched her thin figure retreat, something seemed to grip Evan’s heart, sending a sharp ache through it.

Behind him, Brooke said, “Evan, our patients are waiting for rounds.”

“She’s your wife. It’s not like she’s going anywhere.”

Those two offhand remarks drew his attention away from me again.

When I got home, my son was already there.

The nanny was getting ready to leave. She looked relieved to see me. “Mrs. Parker, I was beginning to think you wouldn’t make it home today, either.”

“I made everything you asked for, but it’s cold now. Would you like me to warm it up?”

I shook my head. “No, thank you. You can head home.”

She gave me a worried look before leaving.

I packed what I needed to stay at the hospital, then went to Max’s bedroom door.

“Max, open up. Mommy needs to pack you some clothes and take you to Grandma and Grandpa’s.”

There was still no sound from inside.

I opened the door and stepped in. Max pushed me back out, shouting,

“Mommy, get out!”

“You didn’t make an appointment! Did you forget again?”

Ever since he’d spent a day at the hospital with Evan, he’d insisted his bedroom was his private space and that I had to make an appointment before going in.

“It’s just like making an appointment to see Daddy. You have to make an appointment to come into my room, too.”

“Brooke said kids need privacy, too.”

I hadn’t liked it, but I’d assumed it was just a passing phase.

I never expected him to keep it up for this long.

I pushed down my irritation and tried to reason with him gently. “Max, Grandpa’s in the hospital. Mommy needs to hurry back and take care of him.”

“Can we skip this game just this once?”

Max immediately started crying and shouting no.

“Bad Mommy! You’re a bad mommy!”

His piercing cries made my temper flare.

“Come out!”

In anger, I grabbed him up and carried him toward the living room.

He struggled and sobbed, his cries rising to a shriek.

The front door clicked open.

“Daddy!”

“Brooke!”

Evan frowned. “Claire, what are you doing?”