Chapter 3

The next day, I went to the hospital.

Although my father had passed away, there was a surgery that required my personal attention and couldn't be delayed.

After completing the surgery, I happened to run into the head of Josh's department.

"Has Josh not returned yet?"

The head asked and looked at me as if I were supposed to know something.

I shook my head.

"He took leave to travel and meet up with classmates. How could he be gone for so long? Even though there aren't any critical surgeries at the hospital right now, he shouldn't be playing around for this long!" The head complained disapprovingly.

My heart felt as if it were being crushed by a heavy burden. I felt hard to breathe.

So, he was just on leave for a trip. I thought he was busy with something important.

He was too preoccupied to return for my father's surgery, and even didn't attend his funeral.

"Nora, how can Josh do that? You need to remind him his responsibilities as a doctor."

I forced a smile and nodded at him.

In my memory, Josh had always been a responsible and steady dedicated professional.

He was always strict with himself and wouldn't easily abandon his work at the hospital.

Yet, he left my father's surgery for Kate's birthday.

So, he wasn't someone who lived for work after all.

Because the head personally inquired about Josh's situation, and because I couldn't sign the divorce papers unilaterally, I hesitated but eventually dialed his number again.

The line was still busy.

But I no longer felt the sadness I did before.

I was just left with exhaustion.

I tried calling once more, deciding that this would be the last time.

This time, the call connected.

Instead of the familiar voice, a woman's voice came through.

"Josh is in the bathroom. His phone is in the luggage bag. Is there something you need to tell me?"

Kate's tone was full of arrogance.

"When is he coming back?"

I no longer asked when Josh would return because I knew he would definitely stay with Kate instead of coming back.

"We're checking in now and preparing to return. Our flight schedule is tight. Do you have anything else to say?"

Kate grew impatient before I could ask further.

Her demeanor was exactly the same as the night my father passed away.

Back then, her voice on the phone was also full of pride.

"Josh is in the shower. If there's anything, you can tell me."

I paused, then smiled through my tears. "Nothing much, just a divorce."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by an impatient voice. "I'll let him know. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up."

I didn't know where her arrogance came from. Was it because Josh was by her side at that moment?

She wanted to rub it in my face, but I was already numb.

I responded with a smile, "Nothing else."

As soon as I finished speaking, Kate immediately hung up the phone.