Deanna let her eyes fall shut, a gentle sorrow weighing on her mind.

Three years had rolled by, and she'd been worn thin more often than she could count, but even during her hardest days, she clung to any bright spot she could find.

Each time Connor smiled, she took it as if it meant something more.

Right now, it struck Deanna how love could turn into a comfortable lie. Connor didn't even have to lift a finger. He simply existed, and she tumbled right into longing for him.

After three long years, she realized she couldn't keep lying to herself and needed to let go.

For once, she slept deeply, free from the shadows of Gillian's illness or the exhausting need to win Connor's favor. The peace she found in her dreams was pure and untroubled.

When she opened her eyes, Theresa sat nearby, peeling an orange. Faint chatter from other patients drifted through the open door.

"Deanna Carter? The doctor who works here?"

"It must be. They say she's the head of the obstetrics and gynecology department at Benignity Hospital. Who else fits that description?"

"Oh wow, it really is her! Should we look for a different doctor? I fought tooth and nail to have this baby. I can't let anything risk it."

"I'm thinking of asking for someone else too. Did you catch the news? There's a rumor going around that this doctor makes her patients buy pricey herbal medicine from just one pharmacy, and the treatment fees could buy a whole house."

"Seriously? That's ridiculous! She's doing all this for cash? Has she lost her mind?"

"Exactly. There's no decency left in her anymore. She'd do anything for money. I even heard past scandals were covered up by the hospital, but this time, everything blew up because someone in the Dixon family got hurt by her."

"This is terrible! I should get a different doctor. I get this baby through IVF. If something happened, I'd never forgive myself."

"What's the point in changing doctors? I'd just go to another hospital. They're all the same, corrupt as ever!"

Hearing those harsh words, Deanna's brow creased.

Theresa looked ready to leap up and confront them, anger flashing in her eyes, but Deanna reached out to stop her.

"Deanna! Let me handle those women. They don't know a thing and just toss around nasty gossip. You're far more talented than they'll ever understand. What gives them the right to talk like that?" Theresa said, unable to hide her outrage.

Unbothered by the gossip, Deanna answered, "Let them talk. Honestly, their worries make sense. Any woman carrying a child turns into a lioness, ready to protect every heartbeat and flutter. They know nothing about what I can do; all they hear are rumors, and they trust whatever name seems safest. All these mothers want is to deliver a healthy baby. It's hard to hold that against them."

She believed the real fault belonged to those who had damaged her name and stained the hospital's reputation.

"What now?" asked Theresa, who had always looked up to Deanna with admiration. It stung to see her so unfairly judged. "This can't go on. People need to know a doctor's skill is only half the story—integrity and trust matter just as much."

The weight of the situation left Theresa looking crushed.

Whenever Gillian or Connor were involved, Deanna's decisions could sometimes become tangled up in feelings.

Worry gnawed at Theresa, afraid Deanna's heart might steer her off course and cost her everything she'd worked for.

Seeing the anxiety etched across Theresa's face, Deanna offered a calm reassurance. "There's no need to worry. I have a plan, and I'll see it through."

The answer brought little comfort to Theresa.

A plan?

What sort of plan?

Would Deanna swallow the blame again and let others walk all over her?

Those thoughts sent Theresa into a frustrated spiral, and she buried her head in her hands, itching to lash out at something.

Meanwhile, Deanna kept her thoughts to herself.

While Theresa's anger brewed, Deanna said in an easy tone, "I didn't bring any clothes with me. Can you buy me something new to wear? I need to get a divorce."

Mentioning the divorce, Deanna's face remained composed, like she was following through on a decision long in the making.

Impulsiveness had never been part of her character.

With everything else in life, she weighed each move with care—except when it came to Connor, where she had given up so much of herself again and again.

Theresa froze at those words. "Deanna, did I hear you right?" She stared, wide-eyed, unable to process what she'd just been told.

"I need to get divorced. Trouble is, I've got nothing to wear for the occasion. Could you help me with that?" Deanna repeated, steady as ever.

"Ah!" The sound burst from Theresa as she threw her arms around Deanna, squeezing so hard it felt like Deanna might suffocate until Theresa finally pulled away.

Tears rimmed Theresa's eyes as she stepped back, her words tangled with emotion. She managed a shaky laugh as she said, "Deanna, for a second, I thought you'd go back to that miserable life. I was certain you'd end up shackled to Connor forever. To hell with the Dixon family! Let's get a divorce and leave all this behind. We'll start fresh, just you and me."

Theresa dug through her purse for her phone, glancing nervously at Deanna as if worried she might back out. When she got through to her secretary, her tone was brisk and insistent. "This can't wait! Move fast! I need a divorce agreement written up right now!"

When Deanna said she didn't want any of Connor's assets, Theresa hesitated for a heartbeat, then agreed reluctantly. She said into the phone, "Forget the assets. Deanna has no use for that junk. Let Connor have them all. Make sure that divorce agreement reaches Benignity Hospital in the next hour!"

Theresa ended the call and hurried for the exit, calling over her shoulder, "Deanna! Hold on! I'll have everything sorted in no time!"

Deanna's lips curled into a faint smile as she watched her friend rushing off.

Theresa seemed terrified she might change her mind.

When the door closed behind Theresa, Deanna dialed a number.

Recently, more people had been crowding near the hospital's entrance, clutching cameras, and although Nikolas hadn't mentioned it, Deanna sensed trouble brewing. The hospital's good name was on the line, and losing the trust of patients could stir up no end of conflict.

That meant she had to resolve Gillian's situation without delay.

Back when she'd been tied to Connor, Deanna had to factor in the Dixon family's opinions.

Now, set free by her impending divorce, she found herself able to make bold choices.

She wasted no time and headed to Nikolas' office to hand in her resignation.

Nikolas' jaw dropped as he ripped up the letter right before her eyes. "Deanna, you can't be serious! Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Is it because I asked you to rest? Please, understand, with all the gossip and your recent illness, I just wanted to give you some time off. Why on earth are you quitting?"

Pressing a hand to his chest, Nikolas continued, "You've given me quite a scare. Take your break. Your salary will continue, and if there's anything we need to discuss, just come to me. But promise me—no more resignation letters!"

The seriousness in Nikolas' voice matched the stern look on his face.

Losing Deanna was out of the question. She was the kind of talent rarely seen—a natural surgeon whose skill set her apart.

He'd witnessed many doctors freeze up before operations, hands trembling and nerves frayed, sweat soaking their collars.

Yet, when Deanna stepped into the operating room, her excitement was matched by composure. She wielded the scalpel the way an artist handled a brush, turning every movement into an act of creation rather than mere procedure.

Medicine was more than just a job to her. She worked without the recklessness of youth, and she always treated every life she touched with profound respect.

Qualities like these were sorely lacking in most others he'd mentored.

Letting Deanna slip away would mean losing someone who seemed destined to shine.

Driven by that thought, Nikolas blurted out, "Is this about Gillian? Or does it have to do with Connor? Just tell me how you want things handled. If I can help, I'll make calls myself, set up consultations, anything you need."

His words tumbled out in a rush, desperation leaving his throat dry, but Deanna's answer came with a knowing smile. "Mr. Green, my family only gave me a year's freedom, and I've already stayed longer than promised. It's time for me to return home."

Hearing this, Nikolas felt his hopes collapse, as if someone had splashed him with cold water.

With a family fortune in the hundreds of billions and countless employees counting on her leadership, there was nothing he could say to keep her.

Defeated, Nikolas picked up the shreds of her resignation letter from the trash and looked back at her with sorrow. "Alright, I'll let you leave, but you have to promise me something. If you ever decide to come back, you're always welcome."

Before she could answer, Nikolas added, "And if you ever develop a new treatment, you need to share it with us first. This is always your home."

Deanna's smile softened. "I promise."

Word spread quickly, and when the department learned she was leaving, a collective groan swept through her colleagues.

Deanna bowed with gratitude. "Thank you all for the kindness and support you've shown me over the last three years. I truly appreciate everything. I hope we see each other again soon. Before I go, I'll make sure to settle the situation with Gillian, so no one needs to worry."

The department's doctors and nurses surrounded Deanna, unwilling to see her leave.

Still, everyone was aware that the hospital had promised her freedom—whenever she wished to leave, no one would stand in her way.

Nobody dared to hold her back.

Her reputation made that impossible.

At the age of twenty-three, Deanna had already outshone her peers who were still scrambling for spots at top hospitals, becoming a rising star everyone wanted to claim.

No matter where she went, her talent guaranteed a warm welcome.

In the past, Connor had held Deanna under his spell for three long years. Now that she'd shaken off his influence, stepping away felt like the most natural choice.

This decision was a blessing for her.

Yet, inside the department, resentment brewed against Gillian. The staff could not help but blame her for Deanna's departure.

Directors with Deanna's level of skill and willingness to mentor others were hard to come by.

Walking along the corridor, Deanna noticed Theresa in the distance.

Theresa, exuding authority, led a small group pushing rows of clothes forward.

"Where are you headed, Deanna?" Theresa called over.

When Deanna saw the fancy dresses hanging up and the makeup artist following behind, she replied without hesitation, "I'm going to see Gillian."

"What?" Theresa froze in disbelief. The dress slipped from her hand and landed at her feet. "You're really going to see Gillian?"

She assumed Deanna meant to apologize to Gillian again.

Catching on to the misunderstanding, Deanna picked up the dress and returned it to her. "That's not my intention. She won't get off easy."

A playful grin flickered on her face as she gently nudged Theresa's chin upward. "Wait for me in my hospital room. I'll only be gone thirty minutes."

Deanna's punctuality was never in doubt.

Exactly thirty minutes later, she stepped out of Gillian's room.

Inside, Gillian rested against the headboard, her eyes meeting Judie's in shared bewilderment. "Mom, don't you think Deanna was acting strange today?"

With a self-satisfied grin, Judie answered, "What's strange about her behavior? You lost the baby, and the Dixon family tossed all the blame onto her. Anyone in her shoes would look defeated right now."

Gillian's unease only deepened. "What if she connects the dots and figures out that I miscarried because I took some medication?"

Judie waved off her worry without missing a beat. "Don't be paranoid. The medication came straight from your cousin's lab, and that place has tighter security than anywhere else in the country. Your cousin even tapped into the company's highest clearance. No one can trace it back."

Gillian bit her lip, still anxious. "Just talk to my cousin one more time. Deanna's the type who never misses a detail, and if she uncovers the truth, I could lose my shot with Connor. We can't afford to slip up."

Judie gave a tired sigh and replied, "Fine, I'll give him a reminder. If your husband had any backbone, we wouldn't be pulling strings like this."

Judie reached for her phone, but Gillian quickly stopped her. "Don't call out there, Mom. With so many ears around, it's too risky. Just talk from here."

Judie huffed under her breath. "You worry too much." Even so, she made the call right there and whispered instructions to ensure every loose end stayed buried.

The person on the other end reassured her with a little flattery, making Judie laugh aloud.

"Gillian has everyone in the Dixon family wrapped around her finger. They never questioned a thing, just blamed Deanna for the miscarriage without digging for answers. With Gillian's charm, she can handle them easily. Relax. Once she ditches that fool Andrew and marries Connor, your company will be set. We're all in this together. You'll get your share when we win."

Her laughter rang out loud and proud.

Meanwhile, a tiny red recording light blinked in a shadowy corner above them, unnoticed.

Back in Deanna's room, she returned to a scene overflowing with clothes.

The nurse at the door couldn't help but exclaim, "Does Deanna really need so many outfits?"

Theresa looked quite pleased with herself, standing with her hands on her hips. "She deserves better than just a handful. The room's small, so I only brought what I could grab."

The nurse found herself wishing she had a friend like Theresa.

Inside, Deanna asked everyone not involved to wait outside the room.

Afterward, she placed a call to Connor.

Technically, the call went to his secretary.

In three years of marriage, Deanna had never once been able to reach Connor directly. Every conversation went through the secretary, and all her requests for his personal number were brushed off. The whole thing was laughable.

At Theresa's insistence, Deanna put the call on speaker. The secretary answered, already sounding annoyed. "Hello. If you need something, make it quick. My boss has important business to handle."

Theresa's temper flared at the arrogance in his voice.

Anyone could tell the secretary had adopted Connor's exact attitude.

With the way the secretary behaved, Theresa had no doubt Connor's arrogance was even more unbearable in person.

As Theresa bristled with anger, Deanna reached out to steady her and said coldly, "Let Connor know Gillian's situation has changed. Whether he cares to listen is up to him."

The secretary's demeanor shifted in an instant, though he still sounded impatient. "Alright, one moment."

Theresa's patience snapped, and she slapped her thigh. "I'm sure this is all because of that jerk's instructions. If it concerns Gillian, they must tell him immediately. What trash!"

Before Theresa could say another word, Connor's chilly voice rang out from the speaker. "What's going on with Gillian?"

Deanna replied, "Gillian's doing fine. Actually, I'm calling to discuss our divorce."

The line went quiet for a moment, then Connor let out a scoff that barely masked his irritation. "Have you changed your mind?"

Theresa looked like she wanted to explode, but she held back for Deanna's sake, biting down her frustration until her face turned red.

Deanna kept her composure. Years of neglect had taught her to keep her emotions tightly reined in, and Connor's contempt hardly made a dent.

"No, I haven't changed my mind. I'm available this afternoon. Let's meet at the courthouse and get this over with," she said.

There was another long silence before Connor answered, "So you're really ending this? Deanna, I don't have the time to play these games. Make sure this is what you want."

Deanna replied without hesitation, "I've already made up my mind. I'll see you at the courthouse at two."

Glancing at the clock, she continued, "You'll get the signed divorce agreement at your office in five minutes. That's all I needed to say. I won't take up any more of your time."

As soon as Deanna finished, the call ended with a click.

The harsh beep echoed in Connor's office.

Moments later, the secretary peeked in, immediately stopping in his tracks as he caught sight of Connor's cold expression.

The tension was enough to make anyone hesitate before stepping inside.

"What is it now?" Connor's tone made it clear he had little patience for interruptions.

Without delay, the secretary walked forward and placed a folder on the desk. "This just arrived for you, sir. It's legal and bears your name."

Connor flipped it open and found himself staring at the divorce agreement. Deanna's signature was already in place, leaving a single line blank for his.

The terms were simple, and Deanna wanted to leave the marriage with nothing.

With a scoff, Connor tossed the agreement back onto his desk.

He couldn't help but find her latest move creative. Pretending not to care must be her new strategy.

Connor convinced himself that Deanna's actions were nothing more than another attempt to draw his focus, and he found the whole charade beneath contempt.

The secretary eyed the document and gave a dry, mocking laugh. "What's she aiming for this time? Does she really believe this will wipe away her part in Gillian's miscarriage? She must think she's smarter than everyone else."

Every word dripped with sarcasm, the mockery barely disguised.

Connor's glare didn't soften. "If she's so determined to end things, let's make it happen. I want to see what kind of move she'll make at the courthouse."

Without delay, Connor cleared his afternoon of all other obligations.

His grandmother, Susan, had always warned that spoiling a woman's whims would only lead to trouble.

In Connor's mind, Deanna had crossed a line. Not only did she refuse to take the blame for what happened, but she also dared to pull such a weak stunt to challenge his authority.

Smirking at the thought, Connor looked forward to watching Deanna beg to stay married.

He saw this as his chance to break her stubborn streak, hoping she'd learn to behave and focus on Gillian from now on.

It never occurred to him that Deanna meant every word about wanting to end things for good.

After ending the call, Deanna turned her gaze to the hospital garden. For once, she felt nothing close to sadness or regret.

All those days spent waiting for things to change seemed like a distant dream. She had once wondered how she would ever survive divorcing Connor.

The idea used to fill her with dread. She thought it would leave her in pieces.

Now, a strange sense of freedom washed over her.

There was no more need to chase affection or bend to anyone's will. She no longer had to pretend to care for someone she never chose.

A fresh chapter beckoned, and Deanna let herself feel lighter than she had in years.

With a hint of a smile, she lifted her chin and noticed that even the world outside seemed to shine brighter.

Theresa's voice rang out, cutting through her thoughts. "Let's hurry up and find something for you to wear. You'll divorce that jerk this afternoon, and then you'll be done with the Dixon family for good. I can't stand hearing another word from them."

The suggestion made sense, so Deanna nodded and reached for a dress. Before she could choose one, a gentle knock sounded at the door.

Standing there, Nikolas looked a little uncomfortable as he held out a phone. "Deanna, Helena just called."

Thinking of her stepmother, Deanna paused for a beat, then headed toward the door to answer the call, saying, "Helena."

A deep, commanding voice came through the speaker first. "Three years is long enough, Deanna. Don't you think it's time to come back home and put all this behind you? How much longer are you going to keep this up? You're not a child anymore, and your behavior is wearing me out!"

Right away, Helena's voice broke in. "Must you speak to Deanna like that? She's gone through enough already. Instead of making her feel worse, try saying something supportive. If you can't be gentle, please hold your tongue."

No matter how assertive Helena got, her words always landed softly and never came off as harsh.

Helena said then into the phone, "Don't listen to your father, Deanna. He always puts on that stern face, but the moment he's at work, he can't stop telling the board how you've been gifted since you were little. He's so proud of what you've done at Benignity Hospital. He calls it your masterpiece."

A quiet sound escaped Deanna, her response little more than a whisper, while her expression gave nothing away.

On the other end of the line, a hush settled in, as if the next topic weighed heavily and needed careful handling.

Moments slipped by before Deanna recognized the uncertainty.

She filled the silence. "Don't worry about me. I'll be home in a couple of days, once all the paperwork is finished."

"That's wonderful," Helena said, her joy ringing clear. "Just let us know when you'll be back, and we'll make sure to send the car for you. I'll even cook all your favorites. Everyone's waiting to welcome you home."

With a soft word of agreement, Deanna ended the call.

Nikolas lingered in the doorway, wringing his hands in awkward apology. "I hope you're not upset. Your father and I have business together, and news of your divorce can't be kept from him. If I hadn't told him, he'd never let me hear the end of it. I hope you understand where I'm coming from."

Deanna nodded, her face untroubled. "That's fine. He would have found out soon anyway."

Nikolas offered an encouraging smile. "You have a complicated family, and sometimes I say too much, but I mean well. Honestly, I'm relieved for you. Connor was never the right man. I hope you find real happiness and that your late mother would be proud."

A nod was all Deanna gave in return.

Throughout her life, Deanna had lived by every rule, always the model daughter. She never guessed her choice of husband would become everyone else's concern.

Three years before, nothing could have shaken her resolve to marry Connor.

Warnings filled the air, people telling her she was making a mistake, saying Connor just wanted someone with medical knowledge to help with Gillian, nothing more.

Deep down, she had known that, yet she had chosen to leap in anyway.

At the time, she convinced herself that sometimes loving someone meant giving everything up, even if it meant being wrong.

She once believed in that love so fiercely that she gambled everything she had, spending three years discovering just how wrong she could be.

Those years bought her nothing but an ultimatum from Connor—"Either give up your career or end this marriage."

His feelings belonged to Gillian. Despite Gillian choosing Andrew, a man lacking Connor's ambition and skill, his devotion never wavered.

For Deanna, her role as his wife was nothing more than a convenient disguise in the background of someone else's romance.

She couldn't help but feel utterly foolish for it.

To stand at Connor's side, she had argued with everyone. Her father, Roy Watson, had warned her, "If you insist on choosing Connor, you must let go of Carter Medical Group, the company your mother built from the ground up." Even knowing that, she had clung to Connor anyway.

Sometimes she wondered—if her mother could see her now, would she be disappointed that all those years of hard work were tossed aside for a man?

That question stung. Deanna bowed her head, eyes growing red and wet.

She remembered making a promise to her mother—to spend her life nurturing the world of herbal medicine. That vow had been broken.

Theresa lingered at her side, wanting to help but struggling to find the right words. "Deanna..."

When they were still in medical school, Theresa had felt powerless while her own mother battled a terminal disease. Deanna cared for her friend's mother as if she were her own, even going so far as to test new treatments on herself before trying it. With Deanna's careful watch, Theresa's mother eventually recovered.

Theresa never forgot the moment she learned her mother was safe. In that crowd, Deanna stood quietly, her gentle smile unshaken, surrounded by praise from all sides.

No hint of pride or restlessness ever showed on her face. Deanna simply double-checked every instruction for the patient's care, then faded into the background, quiet and unnoticed.

Despite her steady kindness, Connor's disregard had worn her down.

Theresa waited until Deanna's spirits seemed to return before blurting out, "You said you wouldn't let Gillian off easy. Whatever it takes, I'm with you."

Deanna gave a slow shake of her head, and her voice came out rough. "Let's wait a bit."

"Why wait?" Theresa retorted, frustration in her tone.

Nothing would satisfy her more than tearing the mask off Gillian and seeing the real person beneath the act.

She imagined the moment Gillian's polished smile would break, her true colors finally exposed for everyone to see.

Theresa burned with curiosity, eager to see whether Gillian would still have the nerve to go after Deanna once every secret was brought to light.

"Come on, Deanna! Don't keep me hanging!" Theresa said, barely able to contain her impatience.

With a calm smile, Deanna reassured her, "We have to wait a little longer. I need to settle the divorce first. After that, we'll show everyone who Gillian really is, and it will keep the Dixons from causing extra drama."

Marriage had always come with invisible chains.

Connor would only twist her actions into some strange game if she exposed Gillian now, and Deanna refused to waste her energy explaining herself again.

She had no patience left for his way of thinking.

Now that she was leaving, she wanted a clean break. No drama, no lingering attachments.

She never had the patience for messy endings.

If she was going to end this marriage, she wanted nothing left behind. She hoped they would go their separate ways and never have a reason to look back.

In the past, her world had revolved around him. His words became her wishes.

That love had faded. She was done caring.