Laura's Rebirth

This is the tenth time I've come to Center Hospital looking for Riley Harmon. The nurse at the station looked at me with a mixture of sympathy and hesitation, as if she wanted to say something but held back. "Miss Allen, Dr. Harmon is still discussing the case with Dr. Gilman." I was born with congenital heart disease. Riley gave up the chance to study abroad for me back then, chose medicine instead, and eventually became a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon. Everyone says I'm lucky to have married a man willing to give up everything for me. But only I know that this so-called "sacrifice" has long been mixed with someone else. Lilian Gilman is a female doctor in the same department as Riley, also his junior colleague. Since my third hospitalization, every time Riley missed an appointment or came home late, the excuse always involved Lilian. "Laura, Lilian is helping me organize your medical records. I can't step away right now." "Laura, Lilian found an expert overseas. We need to stay up all night discussing your treatment plan." "Laura, Lilian collapsed from exhaustion over your case. I have to take her to the lounge to rest." One excuse after another, one concession after another, only led to more frequent absences. Today is our third wedding anniversary. I booked the restaurant in advance and waited from afternoon until night, only to be met with the nurse's usual line: "He's discussing the case with Dr. Gilman." I didn't wait any longer. I put the signed divorce agreement on Riley's office desk and left the hospital. Back at the apartment where we'd lived for three years, I began packing my things. My suitcase was only half full when I heard the door lock turning. Riley was home. He saw me packing, then noticed the missing wedding photo on the table. His face instantly darkened. "Laura, what are you doing?" "Packing and getting a divorce." I said calmly, without looking at him. "Divorce? Just because I didn't spend our anniversary with you today?" Riley stepped forward and grabbed my wrist. "Didn't I tell you? I was discussing your medical condition with Lilian. It's for your own good!" "For my own good?" I finally looked up at him, my eyes full of exhaustion and disappointment. "Riley, this is the tenth time. Every time you break a promise, it's because of Lilian. You really need to discuss my medical condition so late that you don't come home?" "Can you stop being so unreasonable?" Riley's tone grew impatient. "Lilian's my colleague, and she's working hard for your sake. How can you misunderstand her like this?" "Misunderstanding?" I laughed, bitterly at my own foolishness. "Riley, do you seriously think you don't have any feelings for her beyond being colleagues?" "Laura!" Riley suddenly raised his voice. "Are you crazy? How much have I given up for you? How many hardships did I endure studying medicine for you? And now, because of something so trivial, you want a divorce?" I looked at him, feeling a sharp pain in my chest. "So to you, my grievances and insecurities are just trivial?" "You're overthinking!" Riley released my wrist and took a step back, his eyes full of accusation. "Lilian, she..." "Enough!" I interrupted him. "I don't want to hear anything more about her. I've already signed the divorce agreement and left it in your office. You can sign it whenever you're ready and then contact me. "I won't sign!" Riley completely lost control. "Laura, don't force me!" "I'm not forcing you. I just don't want to continue this painful marriage anymore." I turned around, wanting to finish packing. "Smack—" The sharp sound of a slap rang through the living room. I froze, staring at Riley in disbelief. His hand hung frozen in mid-air, a flicker of shock in his eyes, as if he never expected to act on impulse. A burning pain spread across my cheek, sharper than the stabbing ache in my heart.