Their wedding anniversary.
A day that should have been filled with love and celebration for Claudia Swift and her husband, Kyle Pablo, had taken a turn. Instead of celebrating, Claudia was in a hospital corridor, a medical report in her hand. Her face was as pale as a sheet.
After a lot of soul-searching, she made up her mind, and with shaking hands, dialed a number.
"Beep beep beep..."
A few seconds later, Kyle's voice came through, as cold as ice, "Unless you're calling to say yes to the divorce, I've got nothing to talk about."
Hearing his words, a lump formed in Claudia's throat, and her eyes welled up. "I..."
But before she could finish, a woman's voice chimed in from the phone, "Kyle, are you done yet? We need to get to the hospital for the baby's check-up."
Hearing this, Claudia swallowed back the words she was about to say, "I've been diagnosed with stomach cancer, and I might not have much time left."
Tears she had been holding back finally broke free. It streamed down her cheeks. At that moment, she finally gave in.
"Kyle, I agree to the divorce."
Hearing her words, Kyle paused, then responded in a disgusted tone, "Claudia, my patience is wearing thin. Stop playing games with me."
Claudia closed her eyes, and said word by word, "I'll be at home waiting for you, to sign the divorce papers."
After the call, she slid down the wall, her strength gone, and collapsed on the floor.
The heavy rain outside the hospital corridor soaked her through. She bit her lower lip, trying to stifle her sobs.
Memories flooded back.
During the first year of their marriage, Kyle had genuinely cared for her. But everything changed when his ex-girlfriend, Lissa Tanner, returned pregnant.
They both fell into the water while she was also pregnant.
While struggling in the water, Claudia saw Kyle swimming desperately towards Lissa.
Afterward, both Lissa and Claudia gave birth prematurely due to the shock. Because Claudia was rescued later, she missed the best time for treatment, and by the time she arrived at the hospital, her baby was already gone.
On the seventh day after their baby's death, Kyle asked Claudia for a divorce.
She had never agreed.
But now, knowing she had late-stage stomach cancer, Claudia couldn't hold on any longer.
She finally accepted that it was time to end her shattered marriage and relationship with Kyle.
Meanwhile, Kyle was staring blankly at the disconnected call.
Over the past year, he had tried many ways to get Claudia to agree to a divorce. Even though he had openly flaunted his new girlfriend in front of Claudia, she still refused to let go.
But today, she suddenly changed her mind and agreed to the divorce?
Kyle was confused.
He remembered Claudia's voice on the phone, it seemed like she was on the verge of tears, which made him even more puzzled.
Suddenly, a thunderclap sounded outside the window. He looked at the heavy rain outside, and as if something clicked, he quickly walked out of the room.
"Kyle, where are you going? The baby's check-up isn't finished yet."
Lissa came out holding their baby, but all she saw was Kyle's retreating figure. Her usually gentle face turned dark and scary.
She gritted her teeth in hatred, "Claudia!"
"You wait and see, I won't let you off!"
...
Kyle rushed back to the marital home he hadn't visited for a long time. He thought Claudia would have prepared a table of his favorite dishes, waiting for him.
But when he arrived, the house was dark and quiet.
It was winter, and the nights came early. It was just past six, and it was already dark.
Kyle instinctively looked at the dining table. It was empty, the house seemed deserted. Just as he was about to call Claudia, the front door was pushed open.
As soon as Claudia walked in, she saw Kyle, dressed in a black suit, standing tall by the dining table.
His handsome face was as cold as ever.
In the moment their eyes met, she could feel the hatred in his eyes.
Claudia, drenched from the rain, felt a chill run down her spine at his icy gaze.
"Why aren't you home in this heavy rain? Where were you?" Kyle's cold voice echoed in the house.
Claudia's once bright eyes were now dull. She gave a faint smile, devoid of any emotion, "You're actually worried about me?"
Kyle sneered, "I'm just worried you might drop dead, and there will be no one to sign the divorce papers."
His words were like a stab to her already wounded heart. Claudia walked in, her clothes soaked from the rain. Unlike her usual self, she didn't cry or make a fuss. Instead, she calmly took out the divorce paper from her bag.
"You don't have to worry about that. I've already signed it."
"But before we divorce, I have one request. I want ten million as a divorce settlement."
She placed the paper on the dining table.
Kyle glanced at it. For some reason, the word "divorce" seemed especially harsh to his eyes.
"I knew it. It's all about the money, isn't it?" He mocked.
If it were any other day, Claudia would have argued with him. But today, she was too tired.
She replied quietly, "Mr. Pablo, you're the one at fault in this marriage. According to the law, I could actually take half of your assets. But now, I'm only asking for ten million. Can't you afford even that?"
