Chapter 2 A Divorce Meant To Please Another Woman

Janice froze, as though every muscle had been pulled taut at once. If she confronted Karl about the affair right then and there, should she erupt into a hysterical outburst or collapse into tears instead?

Karl's eyes flicked to the name tag on Janice's chest. His pupils contracted sharply. "Janice?" His voice rose in disbelief. "Why are you here? Weren't you scheduled to be off today?"

That was when Janice stopped playing along. She reached up and peeled off her mask, smirking. "If I hadn't been called in for an emergency rescue tonight, I never would have found out that you were enjoying yourself at a hotel with another woman."

Karl's face hardened instantly. "Don't talk nonsense. Joyce and I..."

"That's enough. Every word you say right now makes me nauseous!" Janice cut him off coldly.

She bent down, picked up her medical kit, and turned away without another glance. Her chest ached violently, her heart pounding as tears gathered in her eyes. She knew that if she lingered even a moment longer, she would break down completely.

As she walked past a cluster of nurses, their hushed voices drifted into her ears.

"I heard Mr. Brooks got hurt earlier while protecting that woman. She's Joyce Gordon, the famous painter."

"Right. They've known each other since high school. Joyce went overseas for further studies, didn't she? Now that she's back, it's obvious the old spark is rekindled."

"But I thought Mr. Brooks is married to Dr. Payne from our hospital."

"Just wait. It won't be long before he divorces her."

Janice stopped walking. She had never met Joyce in person until tonight, yet the name struck her like a blow.

Years ago, Karl had been chosen to lead the Brooks Group, the golden boy everyone admired. Women had flocked to him endlessly, and Janice had been one of them. But the only one he had ever loved was Joyce.

Everyone had believed Joyce and Karl were destined to be together after graduation. Then, without warning, Joyce had left the country during her senior year, and for many years after that, there was no word of her at all.

After graduation, as if fate would have it, Janice had saved Karl's grandmother, Delilah Brooks, during an accident.

Out of gratitude, Delilah had arranged a marriage between Janice and Karl.

Janice had loved Karl quietly for years. Faced with the chance to be his wife, she had accepted without a second thought.

During their three years of marriage, Janice had poured everything she had into Karl. His stomach was delicate. No matter how late he returned from work, she would always prepare a soothing soup and wait for him to come home. For his sake, she had even turned down opportunities for advanced training, choosing to spend more time by his side instead.

She fell deeper and deeper, loving him to the point of losing herself. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she was painfully aware that Karl did not love her. Except for the once-a-month fulfillment of marital duty, he never shared a bed with her. No amount of compromise could melt the ice in his heart.

And now that Joyce had returned, Janice knew she didn't stand even the slightest chance anymore.

Like an empty shell, Janice moved mechanically through the rescue team, tears silently soaking into her white coat without her realizing it.

......

By the time Janice dragged herself home, her body drained of all strength, it was nearly midnight.

Opening the door to the master bedroom, she found Karl already there. He stood in a loosely tied bathrobe, revealing firm, defined muscles beneath.

When Karl saw Janice come back, he glanced up, his eyes darkening. His hoarse voice betrayed no emotion. "There are only a few minutes left before your birthday is over. The cake's in the kitchen. Go get it; I'll stay and light the candles with you."

It was as though the scene at the hotel had never happened at all.

Janice didn't respond. She tried to walk past him, but his hand suddenly clamped around her wrist.

"Janice," he said, "what happened tonight was an accident."

She shook his hand off and answered blankly, "You don't have to explain. And I won't be having the cake; Mrs. Singh already celebrated my birthday with me."

Janice had grown up as an orphan in a mountainside orphanage. Martha Singh, the director, had always treated her with warmth and affection. Whenever Janice had free time, she would go back to visit Martha.

Some time ago, Martha had helped Janice track down her biological family.

That search revealed a truth Janice had never imagined. Her father was the richest man in Riksall, the chairman of Genesis Group, and she had three older brothers.

Her eldest brother, Cristian Reed, was mature and responsible, currently serving as the group's president.

The second, Oliver Reed, was quiet and reserved, a top authority in the medical field.

The youngest, Darren Reed, was bold and flashy, a major star in the entertainment world. On top of that, he was a professional race car driver who ran his own racing team.

Janice had intended to share this life-changing news with Karl today. But now, it felt utterly meaningless.

Still lost in a fog, she suddenly noticed her view blocked by Karl's tall frame. He extended a box toward her. "Since you're not having cake, take a look at your birthday present."

Janice didn't reach for it.

Frowning slightly, Karl opened the box for her. A gemstone necklace lay inside. It was identical in design to the one Joyce had been wearing earlier.

Janice's eyes flashed with a bitter smile. He was gifting her jewelry another woman had already worn.

"Happy birthday. Let me help you wear it," Karl said as he lifted the necklace.

Janice felt a wave of disgust swirling inside her. She snatched the necklace and hurled it to the floor. "Karl, how long do you plan to keep this act going? Are you really going to pretend nothing happened earlier?"

Karl paused briefly. After a moment, he said, looking impatient, "Joyce has been a good friend of mine since my childhood. She was in a car accident overseas not long ago, hurt her wrist, can't paint anymore, and she's been diagnosed with depression. She just got back, and I'm only showing concern as a friend. Can you stop making a fuss?"

Janice's heart quivered, her breathing turning ragged. She had seen her husband walk out of a hotel with another woman, and simply questioning him about it was labeled as "making a fuss."

Her chest tightened again, her eyes burning as she stood there, unable to speak. To persuade Karl to come home more often, she had even been planning to take time off work soon to prepare for pregnancy. She had believed that having a child might make their relationship better. She never imagined that Joyce's return alone would be enough to destroy their marriage so completely.

Bending down, Karl picked up the necklace. After a long silence, he said, "Janice, there's something else we need to discuss."

Janice smiled bitterly. "What is it?"

"I want a divorce," Karl replied casually, as though he were bringing up something trivial.

In an instant, all the warmth seemed to drain from Janice's body, leaving her stiff and numb. She asked, voice shaking, "A divorce?"

Karl answered quietly, "Don't worry. It's only temporary. Joyce is kind and considerate; she doesn't want me stuck in an awkward position. We'll divorce for now, and once she recovers, we'll remarry."

Janice snapped, "Karl Brooks! Have you ever considered that Joyce might have her own agenda? If she's ill, she should see a doctor, not cling to someone else's husband!"

Karl was visibly irritated. "Janice, how can you speak about Joyce so maliciously? She's not like you. She doesn't think in such calculating ways."

Pain ripped through Janice's chest, knocking the air from her lungs. As she watched Karl so fiercely defend another woman, she felt as though her years of devotion had been nothing more than a cruel joke. Ever since Joyce came back, Karl had become someone else entirely. Their marriage had been disrupted with terrifying ease. There was only one plausible explanation. He had never loved her.

Janice shut her eyes, forcing back the tears threatening to spill. "Alright. I agree to the divorce."

But this would not be a temporary divorce; she was done with Karl.