Chapter 4

Clara's POV

As I wheeled myself toward the staff cafeteria entrance, I saw Wendy walking in with a lunch tray.

She had been the head of the pharmacy department at Hayes Hospital for ten years, commanding vast respect and connections across the facility.

Chloe was sitting at the center table with Lily.

The moment Wendy entered, Chloe spotted her and deliberately raised her voice to speak to the nurses at her table.

She bragged that Mr. Hayes had promised to plan their formal wedding the moment my paperwork was finalized, and that the entire hospital staff would be invited.

As she spoke, she stroked Lily's head, saying her daughter would finally have a legitimate family.

Wendy flicked her wrist, slamming her stainless steel tray onto the table.

"CLANG!"

The deafening crash instantly silenced the entire cafeteria.

Wendy towered over Chloe's table, her voice booming so loudly that even the kitchen staff heard every word.

"Chloe Bennett, you're a shameless nurse who crawled into another woman's marital bed while she was in a coma! You dare bring up a wedding here?"

"Who in this hospital doesn't know your dirty history? You were a private nurse in the coma ward, and you nursed your way right into the director's bed! Where do you get the nerve to strut around here?"

Chloe's face drained of color, her hands shaking so violently she almost dropped the child.

Doctors and nurses gathered around, whispering furiously.

A few murmured in agreement, mentioning how Chloe had ranked dead last in professional performance and only climbed the ladder by playing the victim in front of Mr. Hayes.

Others pointed fingers, disgusted that someone had taken over a comatose patient's life and popped out a baby during her four-year slumber.

Chloe tried to scoop up the child and flee, but Wendy stepped in, blocking her path.

"What? Bold enough to strip down and steal a man, but too cowardly to face the crowd?"

Keeping her head down, tears streaming down her face, Chloe clutched her baby and squeezed through the crowd, leaving her lunch tray behind.

As Chloe fled, every eye in the room shifted to me.

I didn't shrink away. Pushing my wheels forward, I rolled straight into the center of the cafeteria.

The night before, after finishing rounds, Ethan had lingered by my doorway and asked: "Once you transfer to my hospital, if you're willing, we can make our relationship official."

I had asked him if he realized what he was getting into—I was fresh out of a divorce, my accounts were frozen, and I was drowning in baggage.

Ethan had only replied: "I've waited for you for years. Ever since we were in med school."

I had accepted.

And today, I was here to burn every bridge behind me in broad daylight.

I locked my wheelchair brakes, surveyed the room, and spoke in a clear, resonant voice:

"Julian Hayes and I have signed the divorce papers. The final legal procedures are underway."

"As of today, I have zero affiliation with the Hayes Healthcare Group. Furthermore, I have accepted Dr. Ethan Cole's marriage proposal, and I will be transferring to his hospital."

"I hope no one links my name to Mr. Hayes or Ms. Bennett ever again."

The cafeteria erupted.

No one expected me to move this ruthlessly—not only was I divorced, but I was already engaged to Ethan Cole.

Ethan Cole was the nation's premier neurosurgeon, backed by an elite medical dynasty. In terms of both prestige and background, he outclassed Julian Hayes in every conceivable way.

Ignoring the chatter, I unlocked my wheels, turned around, and rolled toward the exit, my spine straight as a rod.

As I exited the cafeteria, I caught a glimpse of Chloe hiding around the corridor corner.

She must have heard every single word.

Her face was twisted with raw jealousy and cold malice.

I watched her carry Lily toward the stairwell.

Before getting into the transport car, I glanced back one last time.

A silhouette stood by the window of the nurses' station.

I knew it was Chloe.

The white glow of her phone screen illuminated her face, devoid of any warmth.

I looked away.

She wasn't going to let this go.