Chapter 4

I stayed in the hospital for a full week.

Julian refused to touch the divorce papers.

On the day of my discharge, he actually showed up at the hospital lobby.

Dressed in a tailored black wool coat, he stood near the entrance holding a bouquet of white roses.

"I'm here to take you home," he said, offering the flowers.

I looked at the roses, my hands remaining firmly in my coat pockets.

Julian added, "You always complain that I don't prioritize you, that I favor Chloe. But Chloe had a doctor's appointment today, and I chose to come pick you up instead."

"You really need to stop being so petty."

I stared at him, genuinely wondering if my ears were playing tricks on me.

"As for the divorce," he continued, "I’ll treat it as a temporary tantrum. Don't pull this stunt again."

He thrust the roses closer. "Come on, Claire. Let's go home."

A cold, mocking smile spread across my face as I stepped back.

He frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Julian, asking for a divorce wasn't a tantrum. I meant every word."

His expression darkened. "I told you, Chloe saved my life! Giving her the shot was me repaying a debt!"

"Why do you have to be so small-minded?"

"Besides, there weren't even peanuts in the dessert! How long are you going to keep up this act..."

A sleek black sedan pulled up to the curb.

The driver's window rolled down, revealing Ethan.

"Claire, you left your discharge paperwork at the nurse's station. I was heading this way, so I brought it."

I took the envelope. "Thank you, Dr. Reed."

Ethan looked past me, his eyes landing on Julian. "The toxicology report is finalized."

I paused.

"Peanut protein was detected in the dessert sample."

Julian’s pupils dilated. "That’s impossible! I personally vetted the menu with the banquet manager. All nuts were strictly prohibited!"

Ethan held his gaze coolly. "Which is precisely why it needs an investigation. To determine whether it was kitchen negligence—or deliberate tampering."

The post-rain wind was biting.

For the first time, genuine panic broke through Julian’s composed facade. "Claire... I'll get to the bottom of this."

"Don't bother."

"It was our anniversary! You almost died, I can't just let it go—"

Julian’s phone suddenly shrieked.

He answered, and his assistant's frantic voice spilled through the receiver:

"Mr. Vance! Miss Pierce left a suicide note saying she ruined your marriage!"

"She says she feels too guilty to live... she's standing on the Riverdale Bridge, getting ready to jump!"