Chapter 4

Jessica's POV

I called her out of the hospital room, and Maddox followed, standing right beside Tessa.

It was so natural, as if they were the couple.

"Doctor."

I tried to keep my tone level. "There's something I'd like to discuss with you. For my mother's surgery, our family has arranged for a more experienced specialist, Dr. Noah, to take over. We won't trouble you with the follow-up."

I phrased it politely. It's common for patients to request a different doctor if they have doubts about the treatment plan.

But Tessa looked as if she had suffered a terrible blow, her eyes reddening almost instantly.

She didn't look at me, her gaze fixed directly on Maddox, her lips trembling slightly, her voice choked with a sob:

"Maddox… is this how you're getting back at me?"

Her tears flowed. "Yes, three years ago, I was wrong to abandon you to study abroad. But you don't have to target me like this… You know this is the first important patient I've been responsible for since returning to the country. If I'm replaced, how will I establish myself in this hospital?"

She choked, "You know I stayed because of you…"

Maddox's face suddenly changed.

He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but his gaze swept over me, standing beside them, and he swallowed the words back, just shaking his head forcefully.

Tessa's tears fell even harder. She took a step back, her eyes filled with disappointment and resentment: "I hate you!"

With that, she cried and turned to run away.

Almost simultaneously, Maddox rushed after her without thinking, his steps hurried and chaotic.

As he passed me, he paused, turned his head, and shot me a venomous glare, full of resentment.

Then I received a SnapChat message from Maddox.

【Don't mess around.】

My heart ached, but I hadn't done anything wrong.

Maddox was gone for two days, and Tessa also took leave.

To facilitate communication about her condition, I had added Tessa on SnapChat.

So, these past few days, I saw a very different Maddox in her posts.

Maddox, with eyes crinkled in tenderness, full of affection.

Maddox, personally cooking meals.

Maddox, holding Tessa and coaxing her to sleep…

Love and lack of love were shockingly obvious.

I couldn't bear to look anymore.

These two days, I went for my prenatal check-up alone. The embryo was developing well, which was good news.

The doctor, seeing my gloom, advised me to keep my spirits up, so I simply deleted Tessa from my contacts.

I didn't let myself be idle.

Using these two days, I contacted an agent and settled on a small house with a yard in a riverside town in the south.

Once my mother recovered from surgery, it would be the perfect place for her to recuperate, and I also needed to thoroughly leave this place filled with painful memories.

I started packing my things, only to find there wasn't much I needed to take.

My suitcase lay open on the floor. I was folding the last few frequently worn clothes to put inside when the bedroom door was gently pushed open.

Maddox stood at the doorway, a hint of tiredness on his face, but his eyes weren't as cold as usual.

He held a beautifully wrapped small gift box and clearly froze when he saw the suitcase in the room.

He pulled out his phone and typed: 【Going to the hospital again?】

I zipped up my suitcase, not looking at him, only giving a soft "hmm."

I didn't want to explain further, nor was there any need.

After all, Maddox hadn't explained his relationship with Tessa to me either.

Maddox was silent for a moment, then his fingers tapped on the screen again.

【Tomorrow is our three-year wedding anniversary.】

The words on the screen were clear: 【Shall we… go out for dinner?】

I was completely stunned, looking up at him with some disbelief.

I thought he didn't even remember the date. For the past two years, this day had always passed as silently as any other ordinary day, even more desolate than usual.

I instinctively wanted to refuse.

Our marriage was just a divorce agreement nearing its expiry; what was there to celebrate?

But the words caught in my throat, because I caught a glimpse of a cautious expectation in the man's eyes.

My heart, after all, softened a little.

This marriage was about to end. It was better to part on good terms.

Consider it a dignified end to these absurd three years, and a complete farewell to the me who had once loved him with all her might.

I lowered my eyelashes, hiding the turbulent emotions in my eyes, and replied, "Okay."