Jealous?

Valerie’s POV

The heavy silence following my words shattered with a sharp gasp. Beatrice’s gaze darted frantically between Gideon and me. The theatrical confusion on her face melted into dramatic realization. She cupped her mouth, her eyes stretching wide as the puzzle pieces clicked into place. The truth hit her—the doctor she begged on the hospital floor was her lover's wife.

"Are you saying I misunderstand everything?" Beatrice cried out. Her voice was loud and grating. "I saw it with my own eyes, Valerie! You made a child kneel on the floor!"

I squared my shoulders, refusing to be publicly humiliated by this woman. I balled my hands into tight fists. "Did I tell him to kneel?" I challenged, my tone sharp. "Did you hear those words leave my mouth? Or did you just assume the worst?"

Beatrice swallowed hard, attempting to look helpless. "I-I’m sorry," she stammered, fresh tears welling. "I have no intention of creating a mess. I just want my son to get better. I don’t want his future ruined… I’m sorry."

My stare remained cold. "I told you, I am not the doctor who can help you—"

"I recommended you to her!" Gideon’s voice boomed, cutting through my defense. He stepped in front of Beatrice, shielding her. "I sent her to you because I know you possess the medical skills to help Milo, Valerie. But what did you do? You took this personally! You pushed them away coldly. You are so cruel!"

I stared at the man I married, feeling a suffocating weight press down on my chest. It was a toxic mixture of boiling anger and profound emotional pain. He was judging me based on what his eyes witnessed in the final seconds of this encounter. He sided with his mistress without hesitation. He cast me as the cruel villain without bothering to ask for my valid medical reasons. My heart clenched painfully. Would he do this to our daughter too? Would he judge Maisie without thinking about how it would break her?

Gideon took another step closer, his jaw tight, his bloodshot eyes razor-sharp with accusation. "Are you jealous, Valerie?" he sneered. "Is that why you’re pushing them away cold-heartedly? Are you so petty that you don’t have the heart to pity a sick child who needs you? How immature!"

The words hit me, but the sting quickly evaporated into pure rage. Immature? Jealous? He was throwing baseless accusations at me, acting as her knight in shining armor while tearing down his own wife. The very thin string of patience I had left for this man snapped. I resolved right then that I would not let Gideon verbally and emotionally abuse me anymore.

I channeled my remaining pride and met his furious glare. "Jealous?" I asked, my voice dripping with biting sarcasm. I let out a dry laugh. "Do you honestly think I would get jealous of a woman who doesn't even reach half my level? I am not like that, Gideon."

I watched a muscle feather in his jaw, but I refused to stop. "Besides, I am tired of being with you. I no longer need you in my life. You can’t even satisfy me anymore, so why would I get jealous of her?"

His fists trembled at his sides. I ignored his visible fury. I took a deliberate step forward, closing the distance between us. I leaned into his ear, my lips brushing the air right beside him, and whispered a firm, unyielding promise.

"I will divorce you, Gideon. With or without your permission."

I pulled back, glancing at Beatrice’s stunned face one last time. I walked past the trio, my chin lifted high, radiating pride as I left them behind.

I maintained my cold composure until the automatic doors of the hospital closed behind me. The moment I reached the isolated safety of my car, the rigid facade crumbled. I slammed the door shut, gripped the steering wheel, and let out a broken breath. Hot tears of sheer frustration spilled over my lashes and rolled rapidly down my cheeks.

The shamelessness gnawed at my insides. He had the nerve to recommend my medical services to his own mistress. It was an unforgivable betrayal that cut straight to my core. I wiped my face fiercely with the back of my hand. Taking a deep breath to steady my racing heart, I started the engine and drove home.

When I pushed open the front door of our house, the ugly chaos of the hospital melted away. A genuine, warm smile crept onto my lips. In the living room, our nanny, Rosa, was gently coaxing Maisie.

"Maisie, your mommy’s coming home any minute now," Rosa said softly, holding up a small toothbrush. "You should brush your teeth now, darling."

Maisie sat comfortably on the couch, her eyes glued to the television screen. It was such an innocent, peaceful domestic scene. A stark contrast to the screaming and crying I had just escaped.

But the comforting warmth faded the moment the humiliating hospital scene forced its way back into my mind. Looking at my sweet daughter only cemented my ultimate decision. I had to push forward with the divorce, no matter how hard Gideon resisted. I realized with sickening clarity that Gideon could never be wholly ours. Not when he had another child with another woman. I refused to settle for scraps of a father for my daughter.

"Mommy!" Maisie called out, sensing my presence.

I hurried over and sat beside her on the plush cushions. I stroked her soft hair and glanced down at her injured arm. "Does your arm still hurt, sweetie?"

She shook her head, beaming with a bright, sweet smile. Her previous injury seemed forgotten in her immediate excitement. "Mommy, Daddy gave me a brand new toy!"

"A toy?" I asked, forcing a cheerful tone to match hers.

She joyfully held up the gift to show it off. The air left my lungs. My expression instantly hardened into stone.

I stared at the stuffed toy in her little hands. It was the exact same, identical toy I had just seen clutched tightly in the arms of Beatrice’s son, Milo, back at the hospital lobby.

My fists clenched so tight my nails bit sharply into my palms. It was a heartless, stupid, careless move. Gideon had bought his legitimate daughter the exact same gift he bought his illegitimate son. Did he just hand them out without a second thought?

A fierce urge washed over me. I wanted to snatch the toy from Maisie’s hands, tear its seams apart, and burn it right in front of Gideon’s face. I wanted him to see the physical manifestation of his carelessness turn to ash.

But I looked at Maisie’s precious smile. Acting on my rage would only deeply hurt my innocent daughter. I forced myself to swallow the immense pain and crushing disappointment. I pasted a tight smile on my face and patted her head.

My resolve hardened into unbreakable steel. I refused to endure this toxic, loveless marriage for even a second longer. If Gideon acted this carelessly now, it was only a matter of time before he cruelly pushed his own daughter aside to prioritize and protect his illegitimate son.

Boiling with anger, I stood up and walked down the hallway, needing space to breathe. I pulled out my mobile phone and scrolled to my private investigator's number. He answered on the second ring.

"Hello, Mrs. Vance?"

Through tightly gritted teeth, I issued a ruthless order. "Set me an appointment with Attorney Tristan de Sol tomorrow."

Gideon’s stupidity and cruelty had to end. I was determined to end it my own way. I no longer cared if he continued to resist the separation. He was starting to damage my daughter’s fragile heart, and I would not allow it to happen.