Chapter 4 I Need To Get A Divorce

Deanna let her eyes fall shut, a gentle sorrow weighing on her mind.

Three years had rolled by, and she'd been worn thin more often than she could count, but even during her hardest days, she clung to any bright spot she could find.

Each time Connor smiled, she took it as if it meant something more.

Right now, it struck Deanna how love could turn into a comfortable lie. Connor didn't even have to lift a finger. He simply existed, and she tumbled right into longing for him.

After three long years, she realized she couldn't keep lying to herself and needed to let go.

For once, she slept deeply, free from the shadows of Gillian's illness or the exhausting need to win Connor's favor. The peace she found in her dreams was pure and untroubled.

When she opened her eyes, Theresa sat nearby, peeling an orange. Faint chatter from other patients drifted through the open door.

"Deanna Carter? The doctor who works here?"

"It must be. They say she's the head of the obstetrics and gynecology department at Benignity Hospital. Who else fits that description?"

"Oh wow, it really is her! Should we look for a different doctor? I fought tooth and nail to have this baby. I can't let anything risk it."

"I'm thinking of asking for someone else too. Did you catch the news? There's a rumor going around that this doctor makes her patients buy pricey herbal medicine from just one pharmacy, and the treatment fees could buy a whole house."

"Seriously? That's ridiculous! She's doing all this for cash? Has she lost her mind?"

"Exactly. There's no decency left in her anymore. She'd do anything for money. I even heard past scandals were covered up by the hospital, but this time, everything blew up because someone in the Dixon family got hurt by her."

"This is terrible! I should get a different doctor. I get this baby through IVF. If something happened, I'd never forgive myself."

"What's the point in changing doctors? I'd just go to another hospital. They're all the same, corrupt as ever!"

Hearing those harsh words, Deanna's brow creased.

Theresa looked ready to leap up and confront them, anger flashing in her eyes, but Deanna reached out to stop her.

"Deanna! Let me handle those women. They don't know a thing and just toss around nasty gossip. You're far more talented than they'll ever understand. What gives them the right to talk like that?" Theresa said, unable to hide her outrage.

Unbothered by the gossip, Deanna answered, "Let them talk. Honestly, their worries make sense. Any woman carrying a child turns into a lioness, ready to protect every heartbeat and flutter. They know nothing about what I can do; all they hear are rumors, and they trust whatever name seems safest. All these mothers want is to deliver a healthy baby. It's hard to hold that against them."

She believed the real fault belonged to those who had damaged her name and stained the hospital's reputation.

"What now?" asked Theresa, who had always looked up to Deanna with admiration. It stung to see her so unfairly judged. "This can't go on. People need to know a doctor's skill is only half the story-integrity and trust matter just as much."

The weight of the situation left Theresa looking crushed.

Whenever Gillian or Connor were involved, Deanna's decisions could sometimes become tangled up in feelings.

Worry gnawed at Theresa, afraid Deanna's heart might steer her off course and cost her everything she'd worked for.

Seeing the anxiety etched across Theresa's face, Deanna offered a calm reassurance. "There's no need to worry. I have a plan, and I'll see it through."

The answer brought little comfort to Theresa.

A plan?

What sort of plan?

Would Deanna swallow the blame again and let others walk all over her?

Those thoughts sent Theresa into a frustrated spiral, and she buried her head in her hands, itching to lash out at something.

Meanwhile, Deanna kept her thoughts to herself.

While Theresa's anger brewed, Deanna said in an easy tone, "I didn't bring any clothes with me. Can you buy me something new to wear? I need to get a divorce."

Mentioning the divorce, Deanna's face remained composed, like she was following through on a decision long in the making.

Impulsiveness had never been part of her character.

With everything else in life, she weighed each move with care-except when it came to Connor, where she had given up so much of herself again and again.

Theresa froze at those words. "Deanna, did I hear you right?" She stared, wide-eyed, unable to process what she'd just been told.

"I need to get divorced. Trouble is, I've got nothing to wear for the occasion. Could you help me with that?" Deanna repeated, steady as ever.

"Ah!" The sound burst from Theresa as she threw her arms around Deanna, squeezing so hard it felt like Deanna might suffocate until Theresa finally pulled away.

Tears rimmed Theresa's eyes as she stepped back, her words tangled with emotion. She managed a shaky laugh as she said, "Deanna, for a second, I thought you'd go back to that miserable life. I was certain you'd end up shackled to Connor forever. To hell with the Dixon family! Let's get a divorce and leave all this behind. We'll start fresh, just you and me."

Theresa dug through her purse for her phone, glancing nervously at Deanna as if worried she might back out. When she got through to her secretary, her tone was brisk and insistent. "This can't wait! Move fast! I need a divorce agreement written up right now!"

When Deanna said she didn't want any of Connor's assets, Theresa hesitated for a heartbeat, then agreed reluctantly. She said into the phone, "Forget the assets. Deanna has no use for that junk. Let Connor have them all. Make sure that divorce agreement reaches Benignity Hospital in the next hour!"

Theresa ended the call and hurried for the exit, calling over her shoulder, "Deanna! Hold on! I'll have everything sorted in no time!"

Deanna's lips curled into a faint smile as she watched her friend rushing off.

Theresa seemed terrified she might change her mind.

When the door closed behind Theresa, Deanna dialed a number.

Recently, more people had been crowding near the hospital's entrance, clutching cameras, and although Nikolas hadn't mentioned it, Deanna sensed trouble brewing. The hospital's good name was on the line, and losing the trust of patients could stir up no end of conflict.

That meant she had to resolve Gillian's situation without delay.

Back when she'd been tied to Connor, Deanna had to factor in the Dixon family's opinions.

Now, set free by her impending divorce, she found herself able to make bold choices.

She wasted no time and headed to Nikolas' office to hand in her resignation.

Nikolas' jaw dropped as he ripped up the letter right before her eyes. "Deanna, you can't be serious! Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Is it because I asked you to rest? Please, understand, with all the gossip and your recent illness, I just wanted to give you some time off. Why on earth are you quitting?"

Pressing a hand to his chest, Nikolas continued, "You've given me quite a scare. Take your break. Your salary will continue, and if there's anything we need to discuss, just come to me. But promise me-no more resignation letters!"

The seriousness in Nikolas' voice matched the stern look on his face.

Losing Deanna was out of the question. She was the kind of talent rarely seen-a natural surgeon whose skill set her apart.

He'd witnessed many doctors freeze up before operations, hands trembling and nerves frayed, sweat soaking their collars.

Yet, when Deanna stepped into the operating room, her excitement was matched by composure. She wielded the scalpel the way an artist handled a brush, turning every movement into an act of creation rather than mere procedure.

Medicine was more than just a job to her. She worked without the recklessness of youth, and she always treated every life she touched with profound respect.

Qualities like these were sorely lacking in most others he'd mentored.

Letting Deanna slip away would mean losing someone who seemed destined to shine.

Driven by that thought, Nikolas blurted out, "Is this about Gillian? Or does it have to do with Connor? Just tell me how you want things handled. If I can help, I'll make calls myself, set up consultations, anything you need."

His words tumbled out in a rush, desperation leaving his throat dry, but Deanna's answer came with a knowing smile. "Mr. Green, my family only gave me a year's freedom, and I've already stayed longer than promised. It's time for me to return home."

Hearing this, Nikolas felt his hopes collapse, as if someone had splashed him with cold water.

With a family fortune in the hundreds of billions and countless employees counting on her leadership, there was nothing he could say to keep her.

Defeated, Nikolas picked up the shreds of her resignation letter from the trash and looked back at her with sorrow. "Alright, I'll let you leave, but you have to promise me something. If you ever decide to come back, you're always welcome."

Before she could answer, Nikolas added, "And if you ever develop a new treatment, you need to share it with us first. This is always your home."

Deanna's smile softened. "I promise."

Word spread quickly, and when the department learned she was leaving, a collective groan swept through her colleagues.

Deanna bowed with gratitude. "Thank you all for the kindness and support you've shown me over the last three years. I truly appreciate everything. I hope we see each other again soon. Before I go, I'll make sure to settle the situation with Gillian, so no one needs to worry."