My husband made three bids at the auction to secure the rare medicine that could save my father, only to turn around and give it to his college friend to feed her pet rabbit.

I knelt in the pouring rain, pleading with him to show some compassion for the friendship and mentorship he once shared with my father. But instead of any empathy, I received the news that Phoenix Montgomery had taken my place as the lab assistant and was going abroad with him.

It wasn't until the doctor delivered my father's third critical condition notice that I finally reached Silas on the phone. On the other end, Phoenix's voice chimed in, “Your husband is in the shower. Want me to pass on a message?”

Gripping the phone so tightly my fingers turned white, I managed to say in an even tone, “Nothing urgent, just the divorce.”

...

After hanging up, I went straight to the lawyer to draft the divorce papers. Turning around, I noticed Eden, one of my father's former students, arriving with concern. They were shocked that something so significant had happened, and I was left to bear it alone.

I didn’t make any excuses for Silas. Instead, I hugged my knees and crouched in the corner. Just half an hour earlier, I’d seen a picture on his Facebook. There he was, spending all our savings on that rare medicine—with Phoenix, feeding her rabbit.

At first, I thought he hadn’t seen my countless messages, but he found the time to like and comment on Facebook. This time, I could no longer fool myself. I realized our marriage was over.

When my father was taken to the ICU, I went to school to request a leave of absence. That’s when I finally saw Silas, who had rushed back from abroad. It seemed like he didn’t even notice me as he headed straight to Bradley, the director.

“Director, I’d like to recommend Phoenix for my project team, to work with me on the research.”

So that was it; he'd rushed back not for his mentor, but to make sure Phoenix replaced me. My colleagues cast sympathetic glances in my direction before quickly looking away; everyone knew my embarrassment, except for Silas, who didn’t care.

Seeing the director remain silent, Silas impatiently turned his frown toward me. “Aren’t you supposed to be taking care of your dad? Why hold onto this position? You should let it go.”

Days of stress left me dazed, and under Silas's determined gaze, I nodded numbly. Having achieved his goal, he made a curt bow to the director and turned to leave. The breeze from his swift departure carried the scent of the rose perfume he wore, filling my nostrils. My vision blurred, and I stumbled to the ground.

Everyone around cried out in alarm, rushing to my side, except Silas, who never looked back. In my dizzy state, memories of meeting Silas played before me like a film reel. He had always stood out among his peers, and from the first meeting, my eyes were drawn to him.

Throughout our marriage, I followed in his footsteps like a shadow. Knowing his dedication to experiments, I suggested we skip the wedding ceremony so as not to hinder his studies. We never celebrated a single birthday or anniversary together.

When Silas spoke of me to others, he would always smile and praise me as a good wife. It wasn’t until he personally introduced Phoenix to the research institute that I finally realized the truth. In his heart, I was indeed a good wife—but only just an appropriate one, nothing more.

After waking up in the hospital, I took the divorce papers from the lawyer's hand and signed my name after a long moment of contemplation.

==============================

After taking a leave from the institute, I resumed searching for the medicine that could save my father. His condition had worsened again, leaving the hospital at a loss. The only solution seemed to be the rare herbs from the auction, but those had already been fed to the rabbit by Silas and Phoenix.

That evening, worn out from my futile search, I returned home to find Silas packing a suitcase. Once packed, the house held almost no trace of him. This home seemed more like a hotel to him.

“I’m leaving the country next month. I need to prepare in advance, so I’ll be staying at the institute for a while,” he said flatly, ignoring the exhaustion on my face.

“Dad...,” I began, only to be cut off by his low voice. “You don’t need to tell me about your father’s situation. Handle it on your own. If you’re here for those herbs, let me make it clear—they’re gone. You’ll have to find new ones.”

Recalling the video, my throat felt unbearably dry. “Is there anyone or anything more important to you than me and Dad?”

He casually replied, “No one lives for just one thing. Of course, there are many important people and things to me.” Seeing his slight frown, I knew his patience was waning. Just as I turned to leave, I saw him carefully place a worn photo into his notebook. It was a picture of him and Phoenix from years ago.

In all our years together, Silas and I never had a single photo of us. The only picture I had of him was taken secretly while he was asleep. He’d said he didn’t like having his picture taken, yet he cherished the one with Phoenix.

When his packing was done, I presented the divorce papers I had prepared. Seeing the document, Silas frowned.

“Is this about the auction or the overseas position? Mila, you know this isn’t something a good wife would do.”

“I have a lot to handle before going abroad and really can’t engage in drama with you right now. If you think these issues warrant a divorce, I’ll sign, giving you time to calm down.”

“But I suggest not making a scene. Otherwise, people might mistakenly think I’m divorcing you because of Phoenix. She’s innocent and shouldn’t be dragged into your unfounded tantrum.”

Seeing my resolute stance, Silas finally took the papers and signed his name.

“Mila, I’ve always thought you were smart and graceful, so I hope this impulsive action is your last.”

Watching him leave with his suitcase, I collapsed onto the couch, drained. Even now, he thought I was only acting out of spite. But this time, I truly wanted the divorce. I needed it to get the medicine for my father.

After delivering the signed divorce papers to the lawyer, I dialed an unfamiliar number. “I’ll get the divorce certificate in a month and marry you. When will you provide the medicine?”

My father's health has finally improved.

It has been a month since Silas and I finalized our divorce. After completing the paperwork for my return to the research institute, I ran into Silas and Phoenix Montgomery as I was leaving. Phoenix was wearing Silas's jacket.

"Mila, I accidentally spilled some chemicals on my clothes in the lab, and Silas was worried about the potential harm, so he lent me his jacket," she explained.

I looked at Silas silently and nodded. Just as I was about to step around them and leave, Phoenix spoke again.

"Mila, where are you headed? Aren't you here for the farewell party Silas and I are having?"

Farewell party?

I frowned slightly, confusion clear in my eyes. Phoenix noticed my reaction and pretended to be surprised.

"Silas and I are heading to the States in three days. Everyone has arranged a farewell party for us. Didn't Silas mention it to you?"

"I came across a divorce agreement in Silas's room a few days ago. I thought you two were joking. Is it real?"

Phoenix's voice was loud enough for those heading to the restaurant to hear, and their eyes fell on Silas and me in disbelief. We were known as the model couple of the institute, and it was commonly joked about that divorce was impossible for us.

Hearing the murmurs around us, Silas frowned and walked over to me, draping his jacket over my shoulders.

"I've been caught up with work at the institute these past few days and forgot to mention the farewell party. Since you're here, why not join us?"

The room was filled with colleagues whom I got along with, so I didn't want to spoil the mood. At the gathering, Silas sat with Professor Judson Murphy on his left, while Phoenix naturally took the seat on his right. I found a random spot, ignoring Silas's searching gaze.

This was the first time Silas and I were sitting so far apart in such a setting.

"Mila, I heard your father's health is improving. I've been so tied up lately that I haven’t had the chance to visit," Professor Murphy, who was well-acquainted with my father, inquired after his health first.

Silas heard this and glanced over too. All this time, he hadn't once asked about my father's condition. Yet, when he was caught up in a controversy over falsified experimental data, it was my father who vouched for him, proving his innocence and saving his career at the institute.

"Yes, he's much better. He shouldn't have major issues for the next few years."

Phoenix, overhearing, turned to me with a tone of mock surprise.

"Mila, where did you find the treatment? If there's any spare, could you share some with me? The supplements Silas got at the fundraiser last time were a hit with my pet rabbit, Fluffy."