After saying that, I hang up. Even though I was in pain, I was determined to drag myself there and end this marriage.

Back then, I had been so eager to marry him. Now, I was just as desperate to escape.

I waited for him, but Patrick didn’t show up. I was stood up.

At the Civil Affairs Bureau, I inquired about the divorce process. If mutual agreement couldn’t be reached, I could file a lawsuit, but there would be a waiting period.

"If you can find evidence of wrongdoing or other proof of a broken relationship, the timeline for a lawsuit can be shortened," the staff member explained.

Her words struck a chord. After returning to the hospital, my attending physician scolded me.

"If you keep this up, do you even care about your life?"

I sighed and didn't respond. For now, all my plans would have to wait until I was discharged.

I was discharged a week later. During that time, Patrick hadn’t called me even once.

I had finally seen how cold and heartless he could be. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel too upset—perhaps because I knew our divorce was imminent.

With no expectations, there was no room for heartbreak.

When I returned home, I discovered I couldn’t get in.

I immediately guessed they had changed the door code. This family truly had no boundaries.

I called a locksmith to open the door, only to find the house completely transformed. All of my belongings were gone—even the tiny photo of my daughter.

At that moment, I hated Patrick and his family to the core.

But I quickly calmed down. Their extreme actions might actually serve as solid evidence for the divorce I so desperately needed.

I considered changing the locks but hesitated.

I wondered—if they didn’t know I was back, would they let their guard down and do something revealing?

So, I installed surveillance cameras around the house and then hid in the bedroom.

It wasn’t long before my in-laws returned.

My mother-in-law, as usual, spoke loudly the moment she entered.

"In a few days, Patrick will bring Kevin back, and our family will finally be reunited."

My father-in-law’s voice followed, hesitant and cautious. "But I feel like Patrick isn’t entirely willing to divorce Andrea. Do you think he still has feelings for her?"

I couldn’t help but laugh silently at his naivety.