Chapter 1 I Want A Divorce

"Ma'am, the situation is critical. The child may not make it. You must reach out to the family immediately for their approval."

The hospital lights glared mercilessly overhead as Hannah Ward forced her eyes open. Pain rippled through her body, and a warm trickle ran down her thighs. Upon hearing the nurse's words, she quickly reached for her phone beneath the sterile cloth and unlocked it, revealing a photo of two people.

Her husband, Ethan Gill, was holding another woman in his arms.

The angle blurred her face, yet the rounded swell of her stomach was impossible to miss.

That single photo had consumed Hannah's thoughts, leaving her so unsettled that she hadn't seen the car until it was too late. The accident was the bitter price of her distraction.

Just then, a nurse rushed in, slightly out of breath. "The CEO of the Gill Group, his girlfriend's unborn child is in critical condition. He's requesting an immediate consultation with you."

A dull roar filled Hannah's ears, and a cold weight pressed down on her chest.

A single, dreadful thought clawed at Hannah - was the man the nurse spoke of truly Ethan?

Had he already fathered a child with another woman?

The lead surgeon hesitated, voice tight. "I'm scheduled for surgery... Switching doctors now would be nearly impossible."

The nurse's reply came in a trembling rush. "But Mr. Gill has made it clear - if his girlfriend's baby isn't saved, he'll hold the entire hospital responsible."

Hannah's pupils constricted.

Her chest tightening with every breath. She fought against the surge of disbelief. Surely Ethan couldn't be this cruel, could he?

With trembling fingers, she dialed his number. The line connected after a moment, only for his voice to cut through, distant and cold. "I'm busy. Call later."

Before Hannah could respond, the call was ended abruptly.

She refused to give up and dialed again, but each attempt was met with silence. Ethan never answered.

Biting her lower lip until she tasted blood, she doubled over as a sharp pain tore through her abdomen, stabbing at her like countless needles.

"Ma'am, have you contacted your family?" the nurse pressed anxiously.

Hannah shook her head, tears slipping down her cheeks, her vision blurring under the sterile lights.

The nurse, at a loss for words, could only press her to decide without delay.

Hannah drew in a shaky breath, her nails biting deep into her palm, yet numbness dulled the sting.

"The child has no father. I will decide." Her voice quivered as she seized the consent form from the nurse's hand and scrawled her name. "Please... save my baby."

The moment the words left her lips, darkness closed in, and she collapsed into unconsciousness.

...

When Hannah opened her eyes again, the world was awash in blinding white.

A deep ache throbbed in her lower abdomen, and before she could stop herself, a whisper escaped her lips. "My child..."

The young nurse at her side lowered her gaze, her voice gentle yet heavy with pity. "I'm sorry."

Hannah's breath hitched.

Her hand flew to her mouth, stifling the scream clawing up her throat. The pounding in her skull, mingled with the raw agony of her battered body, pressed down on her until it felt unbearable, until she thought she might shatter under the weight of it all.

The young nurse offered a perfunctory smile before excusing herself. "Rest well. You'll be discharged in three days."

As the door clicked shut, fragments of conversation drifted in from the corridor.

"Did you see Mr. Gill yesterday? Thank goodness we managed to save his girlfriend's baby. If not, we'd all be out of work. He was terrifying when he lost his temper."

"Of course I saw it. But you have to admit, Mr. Gill really dotes on his girlfriend. He stayed by her side through everything."

"So enviable."

As she heard their words, Hannah's already numbed heart twisted painfully.

Why was it her child who had to die, while the other woman's baby was spared?

The thought hollowed her chest, and grief surged through her in waves so heavy that she struggled to breathe.

The next three days blurred into silence. Hannah remained alone in the stark hospital room, her only company the occasional footsteps of a nurse checking in.

Not once did Ethan call.

Finally, Hannah discharged herself and returned to Bayview Villa.

The moment she stepped inside, she nearly collided with Ethan, who was heading out, a thermos in hand.

A bitter smile curved her lips. "Since when do you, the CEO of Gill Group, handle household chores?"

Ethan's brow furrowed. "You vanish for three days and come back spouting nonsense?"

Her eyes lingered on the thermos, a cold glint flickering in her gaze. "Mr. Gill, I heard you made quite a scene at Gill Hospital, for your girlfriend. Truly remarkable."

Ethan's expression darkened. "You investigated me?"

His hand clamped around her chin, his tone laced with contempt. "Don't forget, you drugged me and shamelessly crawled into my bed just to force me into marrying you. You got what you wanted, so stay home and play the part. My life outside these walls is none of your concern. Push me again, and you'll have only yourself to blame."

A hollow ache welled up in Hannah's chest.

No matter what she said, he would never believe she hadn't orchestrated what happened back then.

She steadied her breathing, forcing back the tremor in her voice, and declared with quiet resolve, "Ethan, I want a divorce."