With My Son Near Death, I Choose Divorce

My seven-year-old son, Matthew Hayes, needs an Rh-negative blood transfusion very badly because he's gotten roped into a car accident.

I roll up my sleeve immediately. "Take my blood, doctor! I have Rh-negative blood!"

But my husband, Samuel Hayes, grabs my hand tightly.

"Hold on, let me call another person! She also has Rh-negative blood!"

I throw the divorce agreement at his face instead. "If she wants to donate her blood, she can go ahead and do that right after you sign this divorce agreement!"

Samuel clutches the agreement angrily.

"Have you gone nuts, Naomi Hart? Our son is waiting to be saved right now, and yet you're bringing up divorce at this time?"

I gaze at him coldly. "That's right."

My mother-in-law, Evelyn Shaw, rushes over and slaps me at that moment.

"You vile woman! Samuel is worried about your physique, and yet you still kick up a fuss over this matter!"

I don't bother dodging the slap. Then, I walk over to the doorway of the operating theater before announcing, "Doctor, stop all of your surgical preparations! As the patient's family, I refuse to donate my blood, and I refuse to let my son undergo the surgery!"

Both Samuel and Evelyn are stunned by my declaration.

Samuel points at me and yells in a quivering tone, "Back then, you almost died in the hospital just to secure Matthew's life! Are you trying to kill him now, Naomi?"

I just look at Samuel emotionlessly. Heck, I can't be bothered to even show an expression right now.

"I never forgot about those times. But that was in the past. Now, I don't want Matthew anymore."

The doctors and nurses all turned to look at us. Their hands were frozen in place.

Outside the operating room, the air seemed to freeze. The only sound left was the faint hum of medical equipment.

My husband, Samuel Hayes, pointed at me. His eyes were bloodshot. "Naomi Hart, what did you just say?"

"I said, stop the surgery," I repeated.

My voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet hallway, every word landed clearly.

My mother-in-law, Evelyn Shaw, finally snapped out of it and lunged at me, ready to strike me again. Samuel grabbed her around the waist before she could reach me.

She thrashed in his arms, clawing at the air as she screamed, "You heartless bitch! Matthew is still in there! He's your son! How could you say something like that?"

I looked at her and said nothing.

Samuel held Evelyn back as she struggled, then snapped at me, "What are you trying to do? Is this because I called Sienna over? Are you mad about that?

"Nothing is going on between us. She just happens to have Rh-negative blood, too, and I didn't want to put you through the pain of donating again."

"You didn't want to put me through that?" I echoed. "Samuel, do you hear yourself?"

The question staggered him, and his face darkened. "Is this really the time? Our son's life is on the line! Whatever issues you have, we can talk about them at home after his surgery!"

"Home?"

I looked at him. "Samuel, we don't have a home anymore."

I held out the divorce agreement again. "Sign it. I've already contacted the blood bank and a group of volunteers. The moment you sign, Matthew will get the blood he needs for surgery."

Evelyn stopped shrieking. She and Samuel stared at me like I'd lost my mind.

Samuel's jaw tightened as he uttered through gritted teeth, "You're using our son's life as a bargaining chip for a divorce?"

"I told you. Sign the papers, and he'll receive the blood."

I didn't back down.

A crowd began to form as family members of patients gathered around. All of them were pointing and whispering.

"What's wrong with her? She's ruthless."

"Unbelievable. Even a vicious tiger will not eat its cubs. Her husband was trying to protect her because he cares about her, and she's holding her own kid's life against him for a divorce."

Their judgment rained down on me, but I felt nothing.

Samuel stared at me. His chest was heaving. "Fine, Naomi. You win."

He let go of Evelyn, snatched the papers and the pen, and scrawled his name across the pages. Then, he shoved the papers into my chest.

"There. Happy now? Can we save our son?"

I picked up the papers from the floor, checked the signature, and tucked them neatly into my bag.

Then, I turned to the doctor beside us. "Go ahead and prepare for surgery. The blood will be here shortly."