The Husband She Wrote Off

In Victoria Hayes’s eyes, I wasn’t her husband. I was a distressed asset waiting to be dealt with. When I was sick and asked for help, she snapped: “That’s a minor issue you should handle yourself. There’s no need to report it to me.” When I broke down in tears, she reprimanded me: “Losing control of your emotions exposes the weaknesses in our alliance. I’ll have my PR team teach you emotional management.” Even the emergency call I made after my car accident was cut short: “Nothing involving you warrants interrupting a deal worth hundreds of millions.” I spent seven days fighting for my life in the ICU. But on my first day home, I found Victoria bending down beside another young man, gently coaxing him to take his medicine. She opened her mouth, trying to explain. I gave a bitter smile and handed her the papers I’d prepared long ago. My tone sounded remarkably like hers: “Ms. Hayes, a comprehensive evaluation of our marriage project has revealed an unacceptably low return on investment. I am formally terminating our partnership.” “These are the divorce papers. Please sign.” Victoria stood, glanced at the papers, and made no move to take them. “Where have you been for the past two months?” “Scott said he couldn’t reach you by phone or text. Next time you disappear, remember to notify me!” Not a word of concern. The moment she opened her mouth, she launched into another accusation without asking what had happened. Honestly, after all these years, this was the first time looking at Victoria’s face filled me with irritation. Since she wouldn’t take the papers, I didn’t insist. I set them on the coffee table. “Ms. Hayes, if you have no objections, just sign.” I lowered my gaze to the young man sitting in a wheelchair beside her. I was too weak to summon the anger to question her. I walked around him and headed upstairs to rest. Maybe my calm reaction was too unusual. For once, Victoria actually offered an explanation. “He’s a friend’s younger brother. His family asked me to look after him. I brought him here because it’s more convenient. I explained it in a text. You must not have read it… What happened to your hand?” At her sudden change of subject, I followed her gaze. Without the divorce papers covering it, my right hand was exposed beneath the lights. Thin and pale, with gauze wrapped around my wrist and bruises on the back of my hand where the IV lines had been inserted. “Are you sick?” Apparently, she thought she’d found the reason for my behavior. She addressed me by my full name. It didn’t sound like concern. It sounded like a boss reprimanding an employee. “Owen Bennett, don’t make emotional decisions when you’re sick. Take those papers back.” I was used to it. My steps paused, but I didn’t even turn around. I went straight upstairs. I didn’t make it far enough to close the bedroom door. My body was so weak that I had to brace against the wall before slowly sinking to the floor, dizzy beyond belief. From downstairs, Ethan Reed’s frail voice drifted up to me. “Victoria, is Owen angry with me?” “Maybe… you should take me home. Living alone will be a little inconvenient, but I can manage.” Victoria bent down and coaxed him: “Of course he isn’t. Stay here and relax. That’s just how he is. He’ll get over it in a couple of days.” “Here, take your medicine. The water’s just the right temperature.” “It won’t taste bitter. I have candy ready.” Victoria’s voice was quiet, filled with a gentleness I had never received from her. I could even picture her expression—the tenderness and attention I had begged for a thousand times. She was giving it freely to another man. Nausea surged through my stomach. I clamped a hand over my mouth and retched, but nothing came up. Only bitter bile burned my throat. Victoria, so you weren’t cold by nature. You just didn’t love me. I wanted to laugh at my own stupidity and innocence. Even after nearly dying, I’d still harbored one pathetic shred of hope for this marriage. Downstairs, Victoria’s gentle, cruel voice continued to drift up. Every word rubbed salt into my open wounds. Bzz. Bzz. Bzz. At some point, my phone had fallen to the floor. I couldn’t focus on the caller ID, but I answered with a shaking hand. A woman’s lazy, seductive voice came through, laced with amusement: “You barely text me now that you’re married. What’s this? Looking for an affair?” I coughed twice, my voice weak. “Sure. Though it wouldn’t be an affair. I’m getting divorced.” “Name your price. I’ll be your sugar daddy.”The woman on the other end paused, then laughed even more delightedly. Her voice held undisguised interest and a hint of challenge: “Send me the address. I’ll pick you up.” The next morning, Victoria glanced at the empty seat to her right and instructed the housekeeper: “Mrs. Miller, have someone call him down for breakfast.” Mrs. Miller raised her lowered head, looking puzzled. “Mr. Bennett left early this morning. He took a suitcase.” Victoria’s fork paused. “He left?” “Victoria, maybe you should take me home after all. Owen must be upset, and that’s why—” Victoria cut Ethan off coldly. “It’s not the first time he’s run away from home to make a point. He’ll calm down after a few days and come back.” “Don’t worry about him. Eat your breakfast.” As she spoke, she pushed a glass of warm milk toward Ethan. He lowered his head and took a couple of sips, looking utterly content. Victoria picked up her fork again. But she couldn’t stop seeing my face from the night before, so pale it was almost translucent. My cold, final words. The divorce papers still sitting on the coffee table. “Tch.” She made a quiet sound of annoyance and abruptly lost her appetite. She stood, moving a little more hurriedly than usual. “Clear it away.” “Have the car brought around. I’m going to the office.” Meanwhile, not long after being discharged, I was taken back to the hospital by Claire Morgan. I’d apparently forced myself to leave while still far too ill, then developed such a high fever in her car that I lost consciousness. Drifting in and out, I vaguely felt someone gently massaging the bruises on my right hand. “A car accident? What do you mean, they issued three critical-condition notices? Are these complications?” “The incision on his abdomen is infected. I’ll step outside. Have a nurse clean it and change the dressing right away.” “Turn the heat up. Where’s the IV warmer?” … I struggled to open my eyes and saw only a pair of anxious eyes. “Claire?” “I’m here. Go back to sleep. You’ll feel better when you wake up.” She took my cold right hand, warmth seeping into my skin. My fever was so high I could no longer tell who she was. All I knew was that her hand felt so warm. Ring. Ring. Ring. It was Victoria’s eighth call to me. Still no answer. Whenever I’d gotten upset before, it had taken only two or three calls. She hadn’t even needed to say anything nice. I would come running back. “Scott, go find out—” Before Victoria could finish, someone from her secretarial staff knocked and entered with a visitor. “Ms. Hayes, Mr. Parker insisted on seeing you. He says… he represents your husband.” The man adjusted his glasses and introduced himself. “Hello, Ms. Hayes. I’ve been retained by Mr. Owen Bennett.” “I’m here to discuss your divorce.” Victoria froze for two seconds. Then she scoffed, smiling as though everything made sense now. “Mr. Parker, is this Owen’s latest little stunt? Where is he?” “I’m busy. I don’t have time to play along with his running-away games. Tell him to move back as soon as possible. Ethan is sensitive. Constantly worrying about Owen is bad for his rehabilitation. Tell Owen to apologize to Ethan properly when he comes home.” Her tone was dismissive, as though she were discussing an unreasonable child throwing a tantrum. For a moment, Mr. Parker said nothing. Instead, he opened his briefcase and took out a document. “Mr. Bennett instructed me to show you this if you didn’t believe him.” It wasn’t a divorce agreement. It was a printed official statement. “At Mr. Bennett’s direction, his investment firm and all affiliated companies released this statement to the media and their business partners through official channels at ten o’clock this morning.” “It formally informs the public that Mr. Owen Bennett has initiated divorce proceedings.” The smile on Victoria’s face shattered. Her pupils contracted. Black ink on white paper, bearing the company seal. This was the very approach she had always preferred, the one she excelled at. Only then did Victoria realize. I wasn’t joking. I really wanted to divorce her.“Owen, this is the fifth time Victoria has asked to meet with you this week.” “You’re still not going to see her?” I accepted the warm water Claire handed me and swallowed my pills. “See her? And then what?” “Let her look me over like a financial report? Listen to her ‘analyze’ our worthless marriage like she’s reviewing a project? Cooperate and wait for her to lower herself to ‘handling’ our divorce agreement?” “That robotic, all-business attitude of hers makes me sick. I’m done volunteering to be humiliated.” I set down the glass and drew a deep breath. “Besides… there’s no avoiding Friday’s reception.” “We can sign what needs signing and cut whatever ties are left. Settle everything at once and go our separate ways.” “She can be Ms. Hayes, and I’ll be Mr. Bennett.” The sunlight felt warm against my skin, making me sleepy. Just before closing my bedroom door, I took a bank card from my bag and handed it to Claire. “No PIN. Five million.” Claire froze, looking at the closed door. Then she gave a soft laugh, her murmur almost inaudible: “He really is treating me like his kept woman.” On the day of the reception, the ballroom smelled of champagne, perfume, and extravagance. It was my first public appearance since announcing the divorce. Holding a glass of champagne, I exchanged pleasantries with older family friends. Victoria cut through the crowd and walked straight toward me. “Owen, let’s talk.” Her tone was slightly softer than usual. I looked up. How things had changed. Now it was my turn to look her over like an object. “Can I help you, Ms. Hayes?” The title seemed to catch in her throat. After a brief silence, her assistant handed her a velvet box. She held it out to me. Inside was the latest watch from Shely. “I… neglected you before.” Her voice was stiff. Apologizing and asking someone to stay clearly didn’t come naturally to her. “This is a small gesture. As for the divorce, perhaps we could reconsider—” I studied Victoria. I couldn’t figure out what she was thinking. Maybe, for the sake of her business empire, she wasn’t ready to give up such a useful “marriage partner.” The divorce was nonnegotiable. But from a business standpoint, there was no reason to make things too ugly. Having a problem with her didn’t mean I had to have a problem with money. While I hesitated, a clear voice suddenly cut in. It held just the right amount of surprise and affection: “Victoria, so that watch was for Owen?” “If I’d known, I would’ve let him choose first.” Ethan wheeled himself over. His gaze landed on the watch, showing a trace of regret and a spoiled little pout. On his wrist was another model from the very same collection. “A few days ago, I said I didn’t like the design. It seemed a little too simple. But looking at it now, I suddenly think it’s beautiful. I almost hate to give it up.” As he spoke, he reached out and gently tugged Victoria’s sleeve. Victoria frowned. She looked from me to Ethan in his wheelchair. When she spoke, some of her old entitlement had returned, as though she were settling a trivial matter. “Owen, Ethan likes it again.” “I’m still working with Reed Industries. Why don’t you let him have it? Tell me what kind you like, and I’ll have my assistant—” I laughed, not a trace of anger on my face. “Ms. Hayes.” “I appreciate the thought. As for the gift?” “I’m not so desperate that I need to fight over someone else’s discarded trash.” My gaze swept pointedly over Victoria herself, my voice careless and arrogant: “Besides, who takes back a gift once they’ve given it? You’ve been in business all these years, Ms. Hayes. Surely you understand basic etiquette?” “If you’re going out of your way to humiliate me, then I don’t think we have anything left to discuss.” I deliberately raised my voice so everyone nearby could hear. “I’ll notify my lawyer.” “We’ll pick a nice date to file a contested divorce.” With a crash, the champagne glass in my hand “accidentally” shattered at Victoria’s feet, splashing her shoes. “Sorry. My hand slipped.” “Some people are just that disgusting.”I turned away and passed a server carrying drinks. I was about to take another glass of champagne when someone caught my hand in midair. A glass of warm water was pressed into my palm. Claire faced me with a disapproving look. “You still think you can drink? Have water!” I smiled and playfully brushed her cheek. “My little keeper. Whatever you say.” A quiet gasp sounded behind us, followed by Ethan’s affected voice: “Owen, are you…?” I turned with a frown. Ethan was like a ghost that refused to leave me alone. He was getting on my last nerve. For once, Victoria’s expression showed some human feeling. Her face was flushed with anger. “Owen Bennett, we’re still married.” “Not for much longer. If you’re willing to sign, we can finalize it in a month.” I really couldn’t be bothered with either of them. I was about to take Claire’s arm and leave when Ethan blocked my way. He approached with two glasses of champagne, his face full of false remorse: “Owen, I was being selfish earlier.” “I’d like to offer you a drink and an apology. To show I mean it, Reed Industries is willing to give up another five percentage points of profit on the resort project.” Beside him, even Victoria made a rare attempt at reconciliation: “I was wrong to embarrass you in public. If you forgive Ethan, I’ll agree to a seventy-thirty split on the project we discussed.” “Seventy for you. Thirty for me.” I sneered inwardly. After weighing it up, I decided not to let personal grievances interfere with business. I was divorcing her anyway. Walking away without getting what I could out of it would be a waste. Claire silently held my hand down and reminded me in a low voice: “You haven’t healed yet. That little bit of money isn’t worth—” I raised an eyebrow. I hadn’t realized Claire’s standards were that high. “You call two hundred million a little bit of money?” Before she could finish, I had already taken a polite sip. It tasted unexpectedly bitter. Just as I was about to speak, I began coughing violently, my body shaking beyond my control. “Ugh…” A painful groan escaped me. The next second, bright red blood seeped between my fingers. It dripped onto the floor, horribly vivid. Everyone stared at me in shock. Even Ethan, who had handed me the drink, looked terrified. “How…?” Victoria sounded stunned, unable to believe what she was seeing. Instinctively, she reached to catch me as I collapsed. But someone else was faster. Claire caught me, every trace of her usual playful smile gone. “Call an ambulance! Now!” It hurt too much. So much that I couldn’t speak. All I could do was curl into Claire’s arms as blood kept pouring from my mouth, staining her dress. My awareness scattered, and everything went black. Outside the emergency room, Claire moved like an enraged animal. She seized Victoria by the collar and slammed her against the cold wall with a dull thud. “Victoria Hayes, what the fuck did you do to him? What was in that drink?” “Do you know he nearly died? How could you do this to someone still suffering complications?” A slap snapped Victoria’s face to the side. Her split lip began to bleed. Shock mingled with a panic she had never felt before: “Let go! Ethan arranged the drinks. I—” “Wait. What do you mean, complications?” Claire slapped her again. Every word came through clenched teeth, raw with accusation. “You don’t know?” “You fucking don’t know? The day you brought that little bastard Ethan home, someone rear-ended Owen on the highway and sent his car over the edge. It rolled all the way down.” “I checked. Fifteen calls for help. You didn’t answer a single one, you animal!” Claire pointed at the closed emergency room doors, her voice trembling with despair. “Do you know he lost so much blood, and treatment was delayed so long, that they issued two critical-condition notices?” “His heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys were all injured. It’s a miracle he survived!” “How could you hurt him again?” Victoria’s pupils contracted violently. Her eyes couldn’t focus. She felt as though she’d plunged into ice. “What accident… critical condition… What are you talking about?”