Chapter 2

2.

The ambulance from St. Augustine Medical Center arrived quickly.

The paramedics loaded Jessica onto a stretcher.

I brought a long trench coat and draped it over Julian, who was still just in his bathrobe.

He seemed to finally realize his own inappropriate behavior, his expression turning guilty. "Grace, don't misunderstand. I only see Jessica as a friend."

Before I could say a word, a paramedic stepped forward. "Who is the patient's emergency contact? You'll need to come with us to the hospital."

"I am," Julian blurted out without a second thought.

Just a friend...

Emergency contact...

Julian probably realized his slip-up and quickly corrected himself. "I'm her friend. I'll go with you to the hospital."

He glanced at me once before climbing into the ambulance.

The ambulance sped away with its siren wailing.

I stood there alone, my heart feeling suspended in mid-air, unable to rise or fall.

I used to think Julian truly loved me.

He had mysophobia, yet he never recoiled from my touch.

He was incredibly busy with work, yet he always made time to cook for me.

He was cold and distant to the world, but with me, he was always gentle and considerate…

But all of that seemed to count for nothing in the presence of his first love, Jessica.

...

The next morning, in the chairman's office of the Adler Group.

"Grace, the divorce proceedings for you and Mr. Hayes have been initiated. The relevant documents have been electronically filed with the court in Edinburgh…"

Linda methodically reported the progress of my unilateral divorce petition.

Wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, I stared out at the Los Angeles skyline, my mind adrift.

"Regarding the division of assets, do you have any instructions?" Linda asked.

I came back to my senses, rubbing my throbbing temples.

"I just want the penthouse in Tribeca. The rest of our marital assets can be split fifty-fifty, according to the law."

The Tribeca apartment was the first thing I bought with my own money after becoming independent from my father.

After he passed away, it became my only real home.

I couldn't let Julian have it.

"Grace, he was the one at fault. We can push for him to leave with nothing," Linda added.

I gave a bitter smile. "Let it go, Linda. A fifty-fifty split on the assets... let's just consider it my way of repaying Julian for saving my life."

Ten years ago.

I was targeted by a business rival and ended up in a car crash, hovering on the brink of death.

It was Julian who, against the advice of several senior doctors at the hospital, insisted on performing a high-risk open-heart surgery on me, ultimately pulling me back from the edge.

So, I could live with him getting half the assets.

Linda heard this and didn't press further. "The final divorce decree will be sent back to the U.S. in a week. Where would you like it delivered?"

In Scotland, that decree is the final proof of divorce.

"St. Augustine Medical Center."

St. Augustine's was the place Julian spent the most time, second only to our home.

I gave Linda another instruction.

"The Adler Group's business focus is shifting overseas, and the headquarters will be moving to New York. So, after the divorce, I will be withdrawing all sponsorship from St. Augustine Medical Center. That includes the charitable foundation, medical equipment procurement, the laboratory, and our partner pharmaceutical companies."

That sponsorship was once a testament to my unconditional love for him.

But now that we were separating, there was no need for any lingering ties.

"Understood," Linda nodded.

I added another directive. "The watch I bought for my father earlier, please have it placed on his gravestone for me. Thank you."

"Also, book me a flight to New York for one week from today."

Finally, I looked at Linda. "To avoid any negative impact on the group, I don't want this divorce to be made public."

Linda nodded.

Only then did I stand and walk towards the elevator.

I was going to the hospital to "visit" Jessica, to see just what was so special about the woman Dr. Julian Hayes couldn't forget.