Chapter 9
Hugo glanced around the ward, and Evalina’s eyes widened as she stood up quickly.
“So you didn’t lie to me?” he asked.
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Evalina grabbed Hugo’s arm and pulled him outside. “Hugo, if you’re gonna argue, do it outside. Don’t disturb the other patients,” she said, her voice firm.
Hugo vaguely felt like this place was familiar–Olive had been here before too.
Outside, Evalina let go of his arm. Hugo caught a whiff of a scent he hadn’t smelled in a while. It was Evalina’s signature fragrance.
“You got the money this quick? You must really care about Olive, huh?” Evalina said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Her sharp words brought Hugo back to reality. He furrowed his brows and looked at her. “Are you really sick? What’s up?”
Caring now? Evalina scoffed, “It’s not gonna kill me. You’re not getting rid of me that easy.”
“Evalina! Do you always have to be so sharp?” Hugo looked at her feeling the distance between them. He could barely remember the last time she spoke to him kindly.
“Oh, what? I’m too blunt? Isn’t Olive’s sweetness enough for your she retorted.
“You…” Hugo was annoyed by her snarky tone, but then he noticed the IV marks on her wrist. “What kind of illness are you hiding?”
Now that they were on the verge of divorce, he was finally paying attention to her. In the past, he’d been clueless about her needs, even when she was in pain.
But Evalina wasn’t about to tell him about the baby she’d once carried for him. It would dishonor her lost child.
She changed the subject, her anger rising. “What’s the point of caring now? For three years, you’ve been a lousy husband….
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“Oh, wait, you’ve never even taken me out on a date or shopped for clothes with me. I’m fed up. If you want a divorce, you’re taking me shopping first.”
“What?” Hugo was taken aback, almost amused. He chuckled, “Did you hit your head or something?”
Evalina stood her ground. “Let’s go. Today. Now.”
“Evalina! Don’t push it,” Hugo warned, his expression turning serious.
“Push it? You’ve wasted three years of my life, Hugo. I’ve dealt with your family, put up with your mom’s attitude, and taken care of your sick grandma. Do you think I did it for fun?
“Does your family know Olive is expecting your baby out of wedlock? If I tell them, with how much they care about appearances, they’ll never let Ms. Perfect in their door,” Evalina finished, her chin held high, staring Hugo down without
fear.
Hugo was taken aback. Evalina, once so soft–spoken and compliant, now had the guts to stare him down. Her skin was even paler than Olive’s, and she was way too thin.
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