The Divorce That Change Everything

Ivy's POV

A woman walked in, greeting me with a warm smile, "Good evening, Doctor Walsh."

"Good evening, please lie down there," I said, pointing to the bed. Before examining her, I had already read her medical records. Her name was Calista Hudson, and she was six weeks pregnant.

"Hmm, how is my baby doing, Doc?" Calista asked, looking at the ultrasound screen that I was also looking at. Her eyes sparkled, full of hope.

I remained silent for a moment, her question couldn't be answered hastily. I had to make sure everything was alright.

"Look, the fetus is healthy," I said, pointing to the ultrasound screen.

"Oh, thank goodness. The father of this child will be happy," she said, looking happy. Her smile was so beautiful. "What about the gender?" she asked again, looking anxious.

"Congratulations, your baby is a girl, ma'am," I said cautiously.

"Damn it!"

My eyes widened, why did this woman seem unhappy when I told her the gender? She cursed and suddenly frowned.

"It's done, please get up," I said, not wanting to pry into her sudden drastic change in attitude. Although I started to feel something was strange about this patient.

Calista sat back down in front of me, I noted every detail of the ultrasound results I had just seen.

"Don't forget to come back next week for your next checkup," I said, handing her the examination book. Calista nodded, but her eyes still looked blank.

"Oh yes, who did you come with?" I continued to ask.

"My husband," she replied softly.

"Can your husband come in? I need to tell him something," I asked.

Calista's face turned red, "You want to tell him that the baby is a girl?" she asked, making my forehead wrinkle.

"Please Doc, don't tell him..."

"No, I'm just going to say that your husband should take better care of you, I see you're lacking vitamins." I explained firmly, only then did Calista's face return to happiness.

"Oh, alright, but please Doc. Don't tell my husband about the gender yet," Calista pleaded, and I nodded understandingly.

Calista excused herself for a moment, then shortly after she came back with a man in tow. The man's face was familiar, I was so shocked I couldn't even stand.

"Doc, this is my husband__"

"No, honey. I'm not her husband, I'm just..." the man cut in, who was none other than Adam Walsh, my own husband.

Calista stared at me, I think she was just as shocked as Adam and I.

"Adam? What's going on?" I whispered, my body trembling.

"Honey? What are you doing here?" Adam asked, his voice also trembling.

My eyebrows shot up and my heart raced. I couldn't believe what was happening and the stupid question Adam had just asked? How could he not know that I worked as an obstetrician at my private clinic?

"Adam, who is this woman?" I asked again.

"Ivy, I..." Adam fell silent, his eyes looking at me with regret.

"I-I'll explain, but not now. Please give me time, okay?" Adam pleaded.

"We'll talk tonight at home," he added.

Calista, the woman standing beside Adam, just stared at us with a cold look. She didn't even bother to explain who she was, her hand was still holding my husband's arm, a truly shameless woman!

"I want to hear your explanation now, what are you doing here, with this woman? Adam!" I asked again, my voice rising as I pointed at Adam and Calista's faces.

"Ivy, please listen to me," Adam pleaded. But he remained steadfast, refusing to give me the answer I wanted.

“So you’re not going to give me an answer?” I asked, and Adam was speechless.

(...)

“Okay, fine. Then I don’t want to hear it. Now, leave.” I said, resigned, I decided to give up.

“Ivy, I…” Adam reached for my hand, but I dodged it.

“Go away, Adam!” I shouted, tears flowing freely.

Adam looked at me for a moment, “Alright, see you at home. Okay?” he replied, then turned and left with Calista.

I sat down limply. The pain that pierced my heart was unbearable. I never imagined this scene would happen in our marriage.

“Ivy… you’re okay,” I whispered softly. Even though I knew, this was just the beginning. But why did it hurt so much, and I was afraid this pain would continue to haunt me.

***

Initially, I was reluctant to go home. There was no desire to meet and argue with Adam. Our marriage, which had just entered its fifth year, wasn't as harmonious as people thought. Although I was considered an independent and successful woman, behind it all, I often felt alone and lonely. The fatigue that gnawed at my heart made me wonder, was all this worth preserving?

As I stepped inside, the house seemed dark and silent. The ticking of the wall clock was the only companion in this silence. I looked around, sighing heavily, was this the life I had been living all this time? No one was waiting for me, no one needed me. For the first time in my life, I wanted to leave this house, I wanted to escape from all this.

Should I leave? But this is my house, the house I bought with my own sweat. If I left, wouldn’t Adam’s life be too easy? As a husband I had married for five years, he had never even bought me anything. My feelings were increasingly depressed; as a woman, I had been greatly disadvantaged.

With burning determination, I walked to the bedroom. I started packing Adam’s belongings into his suitcase, while some of them I put into a garbage bag. There was no love left; this time I had enough of sacrificing five years of my time for that jerk. Every piece of clothing I found reminded me of all the sweet promises he had made, but now it all felt empty.

After I had removed Adam’s personal belongings from the house, I put them outside. I was sure Adam would be home soon, and we’ll see what his reaction would be. Would he be surprised? Or would he be indifferent, as usual? Curiosity created tension within me, and I was ready to face whatever happened.

In the midst of this silence, I felt adrenaline flowing. In my life, this was the boldest step I had ever taken, and maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of a better life.