"Doris, just stay home and be Mrs. Gilbert like you're supposed to. As for your mother, I'll add more money for her treatment!"
I laughed—a cold, mocking sound.
The doctor happened to walk in to change my bandages. Hearing Julian's words, confusion spread across his face.
"Mr. Gilbert, your wife's mother passed away three days ago. Did you not know?"
Julian froze as if struck by lightning.
I just smiled, calm as still water.
"I already told you. I don't want your money. I want a divorce."
Something in my eyes must have cut him, that quiet finality.
He shot to his feet, so rattled his voice shook.
"I will never divorce you. The only way this marriage ends is if one of us dies!"
"Doris, just focus on recovering and the baby. I'll come see you in a few days."
I didn't ask him to stay. I just watched him leave, my face blank.
When I finally dragged myself to the funeral home to arrange Mom's burial, I couldn't even claim her body.
It was almost funny. Five years as Mrs. Gilbert, and I couldn't scrape together five hundred dollars for cremation.
I turned to leave the hospital and ran straight into Eve.
She smiled at me, eyes glittering with mockery.
"Well, well, the old hag. I hear you're pregnant? What a coincidence—I just found out I am too!"
I pressed my lips together and said nothing.
Her gaze flicked to the morgue behind me. Her smile widened.
"A piece of trash who can't even afford to bury her own mother, still clinging to the title of Mrs. Gilbert!"
I laughed too—until the tears came.
She didn't know. I'd stopped wanting that title a long time ago.
To earn enough for the burial, I took a job as a waitress on a yacht.
That night, I arrived at the marina as scheduled—and the sight in front of me stopped me cold.
On the deck, Julian held Eve in his arms, his face soft with tenderness, accepting congratulations from the crowd.
To celebrate their hundredth day together, he'd arranged a fireworks show.
Explosions of color filled the sky as they embraced.
And me? Mrs. Gilbert was hiding in the shadows, face expressionless, handing champagne glasses to passing guests.
I'd tried to stay out of sight. It wasn't enough. Julian spotted me anyway.
Our eyes met. His filled with disgust.
Eve clapped a hand over her mouth in theatrical shock.
"Mrs. Gilbert! What are you doing here?"
"Dressed like that—are you trying to humiliate Mr. Gilbert in public so you can squeeze money out of him?"