Chapter 3

3.

I stayed at Ben’s place for a week.

He insisted it was part of my recovery, and he was working night shifts at the hospital, so his apartment was mostly empty.

On the third day, I started dealing with the legal side of things.

The lawyer I hired, Sarah Chen, specialized in medical malpractice and family law. After she reviewed all the documents, her expression was grim.

"Mrs. Hayes, what happened to you is extremely serious. We're talking medical battery, fraud, and possibly conspiracy."

"I don't want to sue. I just want a divorce."

Sarah frowned. "With all due respect, you'd be letting them off easy. The clinic should be investigated―"

"The clinic messed up the paperwork, yes. But the real conspiracy was between Ethan and Chloe. And honestly? I don't have the energy for a lawsuit. I just want to move on."

Sarah was quiet for a moment.

"Alright. Then we go for a clean divorce. California is a no-fault state, which works in our favor. But I'm going to make sure you are protected financially."

Of course, Ethan didn't agree to the divorce.

His lawyer sent a letter stating he had a "completely different understanding of the matter" and "refused to sign any documents under duress."

Sarah scoffed. "Let me guess. He's going to say it was all a misunderstanding?"

The second letter was more direct. Ethan threatened to countersue if I filed a medical fraud claim, alleging I was "emotionally unstable."

I looked at the letter, my hands starting to shake.

"He's bluffing," Sarah said. "But he's trying to intimidate you."

"So what do we do?"

"We call his bluff. I'm drafting a response threatening a full investigation into the clinic's records. If there's even a hint of fraud, the medical board will get involved. Ethan's business partner is a doctor, isn't he? Dr. Carter?"

"Ben had nothing to do with this."

"I know that. But Ethan doesn't need to know we know that."

Three days later, Ethan agreed to the divorce.

We met at the law firm to sign the papers.

It was the first time I had seen Ethan in two weeks. He was thinner, unshaven, with bloodshot eyes.

"Amy," he started, but I held up a hand.

"Don't."

"I need to explain―"

"There's nothing to explain. You forged documents and put someone else's embryo inside me without my knowledge. That's not a misunderstanding, Ethan. That's a crime."

His lawyer cleared his throat. "My client maintains―"

"Save it for court. Oh wait, we're not going to court, are we? Because your client knows he would lose everything."

Sarah's tone was ice.

The signing was quick. The assets were divided according to our prenup. I got the house, and Ethan kept his shares in his company.

As I stood up to leave, Ethan called my name.

"Amy, please. Chloe is dying. She just wanted―"

"I don't care."

My voice was terrifyingly calm.

"I don't care about Chloe's bucket list, or her childhood trauma, or whatever sob story you used to justify betraying me. You made your choice, Ethan. Now live with it."

Walking out of the law firm, I took a deep breath.

Ben was waiting for me outside.

"How do you feel?"

"Free."

It was the first time I had smiled in two weeks.