Chapter 4

I held my daughter tightly in my arms.

"Get out! This is a hospital. Don't make a scene here."

Liam tried to pull his mother back, but Judy shook him off.

"You both have to leave! Do you think I don't know? You've blown through nearly ten thousand dollars here in just a few days!"

"That's ten thousand dollars! Do you think money grows on trees?"

My gaze was ice as it settled on Judy.

"For ten thousand? I'd spend a million. I'd spend every last cent if it meant saving her."

"And you, Liam, if you ever sign another DNR behind my back again,"

"I swear,I will burn our entire world to the ground!"

Judy was so enraged by my last sentence that she almost fainted, her finger pointing at me trembling uncontrollably.

"You, you, you, you wretched woman! You're cursing my Thompson family!"

"Fine, fine, fine, you want to treat her, then treat her, but don't expect us to pay another cent. I'm making Liam divorce you right now!"

I was about to say something when Lily tugged at my sleeve.

"Mommy, Lily doesn't want treatment anymore."

"Don't argue with Daddy and Grandma."

I hadn't felt like crying when the old woman was yelling curses in my face.

But my daughter's thoughtfulness now made my nose sting sharply.

I gave Lily a reassuring look, then turned to Judy.

"Divorce is fine, but as I said, Liam leaves with nothing!"

Liam, who had been silent, was now breathing heavily, enraged by my words.

"Sarah, if you want a divorce, fine, but leaving with nothing is a bit much, isn't it?"

"You've never worked a day since you married me. Every penny in this house was earned by me. What right do you have to make me leave with nothing?"

"Sarah, why are you so aggressive now?"

Liam's words almost made me laugh in disbelief.

He hadn't even cleaned up his own mess, and he was calling me aggressive?

Seeing that I remained silent, Liam took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and spoke each word slowly.

"Sarah, I'll ask you one last time. Are you absolutely set on divorce?"

I stared at him with a half-smile, offering no reply.

Liam slammed a piece of paper fiercely at my feet.

"Then let's divorce!"

"But you've been eating my food and using my money all these years. You're the one who should leave with nothing, not me!"

I picked up the divorce papers from the floor and looked at the clause demanding I leave empty-handed, finding it utterly ridiculous.

Seven years of marriage, and Liam wanted everything from this union.

Except for me and our child.

"You know perfectly well who the at-fault party is in this marriage. And whether your company reached where it is today solely by your efforts, you also know."

"Liam, don't make me sick to my stomach."

The instant my words fell, Judy could no longer hold back. She grabbed the bag in her hand, intending to hit me over the head.

"We never should have married a jinx like you! You wretched woman, are you trying to say my son is the one at fault?"

"Let me tell you, either you leave with nothing, or we'll see each other in court! I will absolutely not let you take a single penny from my son!"

I grabbed Judy's bag.

At the same time, her words made my heart lighten.

Going to court was exactly what I wanted; I was afraid Liam wouldn't agree to it.

A week later, Liam and my divorce case finally opened.

The trial was public. The courtroom was packed with Liam's family and friends.

Before the hearing, Liam and Judy cornered me in the hall. Their eyes were red-rimmed with rage.

"You dream of taking my son's assets? Never!"

"A barren wife demanding money? The law doesn't reward failure!"

Serena stood beside Liam, a triumphant expression on her face as if victory were already assured.

I walked past them without a word.

Once proceedings began, the judge reviewed Liam's filings. After a long moment, he looked at me, his expression impartial.

"Mrs. Thompson, a child's illness is a tragedy, not a fault. A parent's refusal of treatment, while morally complex, is not in itself unlawful."

"You may file for divorce from Mr. Thompson."

"However, you cannot use this reason to demand Mr. Thompson leave with nothing."

I stood up and faced the judge directly.

"Your Honor, I have new evidence."