“Elizabeth, enough with the drama!” Baker warned, but Elizabeth just shrugged. “If we don’t finalize this divorce, I can make things even more unpleasant for you.”
“Fine! Let’s just end it. Don’t regret this later,” Baker snapped back.
Standing outside the family courthouse, Baker fixed his gaze on Elizabeth. “If you change your mind now, I can pretend this never happened. But once we file, don’t expect me to come begging for you back.”
Elizabeth found his words annoying and kept walking inside.
“Elizabeth, if we divorce, don’t think you’ll see Sam without my permission!” Baker called after her, his expression hardening as he followed her into the building.
He was hoping Elizabeth might reconsider.
“You’re filing by mutual consent, correct?” the clerk asked. “Once the petition is filed, state law requires a thirty-day waiting period before the court can enter the final decree. If neither of you withdraws, the remaining paperwork can be submitted after that.”
Baker sneered. “So this was your plan all along—use the threat of divorce to manipulate me? Elizabeth, you’re unbelievable.”
Elizabeth found his accusation absurd. She suddenly realized how anger can turn into laughter. She had no desire to waste more time on him. “Think whatever you want. Just remember that in thirty days, I expect you to sign whatever is needed for the final decree.”
Elizabeth packed all her belongings and moved into her new apartment. She was busy setting up new job opportunities when an unexpected call came from her mentor, Ephraim Reyes.
“I heard you’re looking for a new job? Finally decided to leave that inadequate place?” His voice was hopeful.
Elizabeth sighed softly. After completing her surgical residency and an elite fellowship under Ephraim’s guidance, he had recommended her to a prestigious hospital overseas, where she would have access to exceptional surgical training, clinical resources, and research opportunities. She had excelled in their assessments.
But then she got pregnant, and Baker was struggling in his career. Out of love and support, she abandoned the overseas opportunity to help Baker build his network and grow his career back home. Back then, their relationship was solid.
Over time, however, it felt as if a mountain had grown between them. She had tried to reach out to him, but he kept shutting her out.
She was exhausted and ready to let go.
“Professor, did you call just to rub it in?” Elizabeth chuckled bitterly, reflecting on how she, once the most promising student, had let everyone down.
Ephraim removed his glasses, rubbing his eyes. “Am I the type to kick someone when they’re down? That hospital hasn’t given up on you. I’ve been keeping the spot open all these years. Think about it again. This could be your last chance.”
His voice was filled with regret. “You were such a promising talent—what made you throw it all away for marriage and children?”
Elizabeth lowered her head in remorse. “I want to go.”
Ephraim, surprised, said, “Many would fight fiercely for this opportunity. But you were always so stubborn… Wait, what did you say?”
“I want to go!” Elizabeth repeated with determination, catching her mentor off guard.
Ephraim hesitated. “But what about your husband and child…?”
Elizabeth replied firmly, “We’ll finalize the divorce in a month, and then I’ll be ready to leave.”
After confirming with her mentor, Elizabeth asked him to speak to the Chief Medical Officer about her resignation. Ephraim, upset that his star student would be held back, immediately called the Chief Medical Officer, requesting her papers be processed.
When Elizabeth went to collect her resignation papers, she unexpectedly ran into Baker, who was there to pick up Zahra from the hospital.
“Dr. Boyd, are you back to work?” Zahra asked in surprise. She glanced at Baker with a gentle smile. “I feel guilty for causing trouble. Are you reconciling with Baker?”
Feigning innocence, she added, “I was worried you might really divorce him.”
Baker looked at Elizabeth with a steely gaze. “If you’re done with your antics, come home tonight to help Sam with his homework. He’s missed a lot of lessons.”
Though he wanted to ask where Elizabeth had been, pride held him back.
Elizabeth stared at them blankly. “Why hasn’t Sam been attending school? Did you use him to appease your ‘first love,’ and now that she’s lost interest, you hand him back to me?”
She laughed at the absurdity. “Remember, in twenty-five days, we’re finalizing the divorce. Sam’s custody is yours. As for me…”
“I’m just the ‘villain’ you cast aside. Your little family issue is none of my concern.”
With that, Elizabeth turned and left.
Baker frowned. Elizabeth had never spoken so sharply to him before. She was always quiet and gentle, always there when he needed her. When had she turned so bitter and unkind?
Noticing bystanders filming with their phones, he grabbed Elizabeth’s wrist, pulling her into his office. “We need to talk.”
Elizabeth didn’t want any confrontation. She hadn’t received her resignation papers yet and feared Baker might cause trouble.
Inside the office, Baker settled on the sofa, his voice low. “If you’re upset about me seeing Zahra too often, I’ll keep it in check. But I’m still her friend—I won’t cut contact completely.”
Elizabeth had to suppress laughter, his tone was so condescending. “I’ll let it slide this once, but don’t expect it again,” Baker declared.
Elizabeth chuckled and adjusted her posture in the chair, her voice heavy with sarcasm. “Don’t bother. Let’s just go through with the divorce. You’re free to see Miss Thomas. We’ll soon have no connection.”
Baker didn’t like Elizabeth’s attitude, and his eyes flashed with anger. “Elizabeth, do you really think I can’t replace you? If you weren’t Sam’s mother, someone else would’ve taken your place already.”
He hoped to see her hurt, but Elizabeth remained unmoved. “Then why haven’t you already used your leverage to divorce me? Surely, splitting us shouldn’t be a challenge for you.”
With a scornful smile, she added, “I’m waiting for your call to finalize the divorce.”
Baker was taken aback. Even after backing down so many times, Elizabeth remained steadfast. His eyes grew cold.
Would she remain this stubborn if she couldn’t find another job in this field?
He was determined to see her resolve crumble.
