My Doctor Husband Made Me Book Appointments, So I Booked Our Divorce Chapter 04

When I didn’t answer, Brooke turned to Dad for his ID, ready to handle his discharge.

“Claire, don’t blame Evan.”

“You know how busy he is. He can’t get to everything. He has a lot to deal with, too.”

Brooke spoke as though she were entitled to lecture me. The message behind every word was that I was being unreasonable.

I snatched the paperwork from her hand. “No, thanks.”

“Tell Evan he doesn’t need to worry about my business.”

Brooke laughed scornfully. “Claire, sulking at a time like this only makes you look immature.”

I ignored her and walked out with the documents.

After I finished the discharge paperwork, I found Dad sitting on the bed, waiting for me.

He gave me a knowing look but said nothing.

After his discharge, I arranged for him to stay at a rehabilitation facility. Once things between Evan and me were settled, I planned to take Max and Dad back to my hometown.

“Claire, don’t make decisions on impulse.”

That was what Dad said before I left.

He must have figured something out.

“Dad, every decision I’ve made just to keep other people happy has been a mistake. I can’t keep doing it.”

The year I graduated from college, I gave up an internship for Evan and followed him to Columbus.

Then I got pregnant unexpectedly. I’d wanted to focus on my career first, but I was talked into keeping the baby.

Marriage and a baby followed in quick succession, and I lost the footing I needed to make my own way in the world.

Every time, I compromised for someone else.

I’d thought it would give me the kind of happiness other people could only dream of.

Only later did I realize how badly I’d been mistaken.

Dad sighed heavily behind me. My heart tightened, but I left without turning back.

“Max, eat your dinner first!”

“Be good.”

When I opened the door, Brooke was wearing my apron and feeding Max. Evan sat at the table, smiling without a care in the world.

Max sat beside her, snuggling into her arms and seeking her attention.

For years, Evan had been so busy he hardly ever had time to eat at home.

I could count the times the three of us had sat down together as a family on one hand.

This was everything I’d wanted. Now Evan was giving it to someone else.

The scene made those eight years of my life feel like a cruel joke.

I was the intruder who’d interrupted it.

Brooke sprang up when she saw me.

“Claire, please don’t be upset.”

“I didn’t mean to wear your things.”

I gave her a dismissive glance and saw Evan’s brow crease.

“Why are you back?”

“Funny question. Do I need permission to come home now?”

I glanced at the food on the table, then went into the bedroom.

The laughter outside went on and on. Neither my husband nor my son came into the bedroom to check on me.

I looked at the divorce settlement agreement in the drawer.

Eight years. I’d never imagined we would end like this.

Every time the hurt brought me to tears, day or night, I regretted my decision to get married and have a child.

Late that night, Evan lay down beside me.

He wrapped his arms around me from behind. “I know you’ve been feeling down,” he said softly. “I’ve arranged some vacation time. Next month, I’ll take you and Max away for a few days.”

“And don’t be upset with Brooke. She’s blunt, that’s all. Don’t take what she says to heart.”

“Claire, I’m doing this for you and Max, too…”

“Dr. Parker.”

I cut off his rambling and looked back at him. “First you said you’d have time for me once you got promoted. Then you said you wouldn’t be so busy once you became chief. I kept waiting.”

“But you already got the promotion, didn’t you, Evan?

In the quiet bedroom, something flickered in Evan’s bright eyes. He said nothing.

I rolled over, putting more space between us.

We slept in the same bed, but he always felt so far away.

That night, my tears soaked the pillow.

Before Evan left the next morning, he even opened the bedroom door to say goodbye.

I kept my back to him and didn’t move.

As soon as Evan reached the hospital, work piled up around him.

“Dr. Parker, I’ve emailed you the records for all the patients discharged this month. Once you’ve reviewed them, we’ll send them to medical records to be archived.”

Evan nodded and opened his email.

He opened the first record. The patient’s name at the top stunned him.

“David Bennett…”

“When did he have surgery?”

His mouth felt dry as he spoke.

“Thanksgiving.”

“His daughter said she knew you. She kept calling to ask you to fit her father in for surgery.”

“But I figured she’d been scammed by one of those services promising access to specialists. She called over and over, and no one picked up.”

Thanksgiving…

Regret came too late, surging over Evan until it almost drowned him.

His phone suddenly rang. It was Max.

“Daddy!”

“Mommy’s gone! She doesn’t want me anymore…”

His son’s cries over the phone made his chest ache.