Chapter 5

I didn't leave the city right away.

I went back to the place I once called home.

When I opened the door and walked in, Sean was sitting on the couch.

He was lounging with his legs crossed, sipping a beer and watching TV.

The coffee table was covered with all kinds of snacks and takeout containers.

It was a total mess.

When he heard the door open, Sean glanced over. For a second, he looked surprised to see me.

But that surprise quickly twisted into undisguised ridicule.

"Well, well, if it isn't the famous Dr. Garcia who got her license revoked," Sean said with a sneer. "What, not enjoying the spotlight at the hospital anymore? Decided to show up at home instead?"

His tone was snide, dripping with malice.

I ignored his taunts and headed straight for the bedroom.

I grabbed the suitcase I'd prepared ahead of time and began packing up my stuff—my clothes, my books, my personal items.

I wasn't going to leave a single thing behind.

Sean followed me in and leaned against the doorframe.

"So, you're gonna get the hell out now?" he sneered.

"Taylor, I never thought you'd accept it without even saying a word in your defense.

"I thought you were some kind of badass, but turns out you're a wimp."

I stuffed a pile of clothes into my suitcase, the zipper screeching as I yanked it shut.

I turned and gave him a frosty look. "Isn't this exactly what you wanted?

"You got what you wanted. Shouldn't you be happy? So why are you still running your mouth?"

He was stung by my words, his expression darkening.

But he quickly started grinning again, a sick, twisted glee flickering across his face.

"Yeah, I got exactly what I wanted," he said.

"You know what, Taylor? Watching you crash down from your high horse felt so damn good!

"All these years, I've been your shadow. Everyone only knows me as Dr. Garcia's husband. No one even remembers I'm Sean!

"You're always so busy, barely home, and when you finally show up, you've got that cold, dead look on your face. Did you ever care about me? Did you ever care about this family?

"Sure, you make good money, but does cash buy everything? I wanted a wife, not some boss lady chasing success!"

He was getting all riled up, his voice rising with every word.

He acted like he was the real victim here.

Listening to his tirade, I couldn't help thinking how absurd it all was.

"Sean, search your conscience and ask yourself who bought the car you drive," I said coldly.

"Who paid the down payment for your mom's place? Who's been covering the mortgage every month?

"Over the past two years, you've switched jobs three times. You quit every time because you thought it was too much work. Who's been supporting you all this time?

"When I came home, feeling too exhausted to even speak, did you ever say a single word to comfort me? Did you ever even bring me a cup of water?

"All you ever saw was my reputation, but you never saw the sheer exhaustion of standing at the operating table for hours on end, to keep this family going!

"What you want isn't a wife. You want a maid who can meet all your material needs and bow down to you like you're a king!"

My voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a nail hammered right into his heart.

His face went from red to pale, then twisted with anger.

I'd hit a nerve, and he was livid.

"Bullshit!" Sean stormed over and grabbed my wrist.

"Don't mistake my patience for weakness! You're not some hotshot head anymore. You're a nobody, a disgrace with a revoked license!

"I can't throw you out right now and make sure you walk away with nothing."

His grip was so strong that it sent a sharp pain shooting through my wrist.

I didn't even try to pull away. I stared at him like he was nothing but worthless garbage.

"Sean, do you really think you still matter to me?" I said, my voice cold as ice.

"A pathetic loser who has to frame his own wife to feel important. Do you really think you're even qualified to threaten me?

"Don't worry, I won't take a single thing of yours because it feels dirty to me."

With that, I yanked my hand out of his grasp.

He didn't see it coming when I jerked my hand free, he staggered, almost falling over.

I snapped the handle up on my suitcase and headed for the door without a backward glance.

"Taylor! Don't you dare walk away!" Sean shouted from behind me. "If you step out that door today, it's over between us!"

I stopped, turned around, and watched his face contort with anger.

I smiled, "Sean, should I remind you of something?

"The moment you trashed me in front of everyone at the hospital, that was the end for us.

"I'm not the one walking away. You're the one who threw me out of this house yourself.

"Oh, and the divorce papers? My lawyer will mail them to you.

"When you sign them, I hope you can do it with the same swagger you showed today."

With that, I didn't spare him another glance.

I pulled the door open and walked out.

Then, with every ounce of strength I had left, I slammed the door shut behind me.

The door slammed, drowning out his angry shouting from inside.

And with it, I sealed away ten years of my stupid marriage.

I stood alone in the deserted hallway, my suitcase in tow.

A crushing exhaustion washed over me.

Leaning against the icy wall, I finally couldn't take it anymore. I slowly crouched down, sinking to the floor.

I didn't cry.

I only felt so tired.

Turned out it was this easy to ruin a person.

And it would take losing everything to finally see someone's true colors.

Sean, Linda, I'd got it burned into my memory of all the pain and humiliation you've dumped on me.

From now on, it was all-out war. I wouldn't stop until one of us was finished.