Escape from His Control
After six months of preparation for the coveted opportunity, my husband, Mike Young, shockingly gave it to his junior colleague, Willow Carter.
I grabbed the work ID on the table and rushed to his office.
Before I could even reach for the doorknob, a warm flutter suddenly stirred in my lower abdomen.
A gentle voice echoed in my mind: "Mom, don't blame Dad."
"He's afraid you'll leave and never come back."
I froze where I stood, a chill creeping up my arm from my fingertips.
Could this... be the voice of the fetus inside me?
The memory of last month's family banquet suddenly flashed through my mind.
The heirloom bracelet mysteriously appeared on the intern Luna Smith's wrist. Just as I was about to ask about it, the voice spoke again: "It's all because Mom looked at another man, Dad did it on purpose to upset you."
"If you just soften up, Dad would even pick the stars for you."
But what I wanted was never the stars or the moon.
I just wanted the simple happiness of two people in one house, meals through the seasons.
I leaned against the corridor wall and took out my phone to open the appointment app.
The words 'City Hospital abortion surgery' on the screen stung my eyes.
As I walked out of the consultation room, my lower abdomen was suddenly kicked hard.
The force was so strong I staggered and grabbed the wall, my fingertips instantly turning icy cold.
A sharp voice exploded in my mind: "Am I not even qualified to be born?"
"Five months ago, when your pants fell down by themselves, you weren't talking like that!"
A chill ran through me; this was nothing like something an unborn child would say.
Could there really be an enemy inside my womb?
The chill crept up my spine, snuffing out the last bit of hesitation I had.
I touched my lower abdomen, still faintly pulsing.
But I would never let the dagger aimed at my future be born from here.
The kicking suddenly stopped, and the voice became obedient again: "Mom, are you trying to use abortion to shock Dad?"
"How could you really not want me? You just want Dad to pay more attention to you."
I said nothing and turned back to the hospital department.
In the break area, my workstation was completely ransacked.
The stethoscope, medical records, and water bottle were all stuffed into a black plastic bag and tossed next to the trash bin.
Willow Carter strode over in ten-centimeter heels, fake-sighing, "Linda, don't be too upset."
"The hospital's just looking out for you. After eight years of marriage, finally pregnant—you can't be running back and forth to Capital."
"Those surgeries can be done by someone else. Don't block others' way."
Nurse Lee immediately agreed: "Exactly, you never let us get on the operating table, so all the credit is yours."
Dr. Wilson pushed up his glasses and nodded: "One bad apple spoils the whole bunch!"
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.
They can't even master basic suturing. How could I dare to entrust a patient's life to them?
At that moment, Willow suddenly screamed, "Where's my diamond bracelet?"
She pointed at me, eyes accusing: "You must have stolen it! You were the only one here just now!"
I was about to argue back when the voice in my head rang out again: "Mom, just hang on a little longer, this was Dad's arrangement!"
"He's waiting in the office for you to back down. Hurry up!"
I let out a cold laugh. Mike Young actually stooped to such dirty tricks just to make me give in?
Willow Carter had already rushed over and grabbed my bag, roughly rifling through it.
The next moment, she held up a sparkling bracelet, smirking triumphantly: "So it really is yours!"
"Linda, I never thought you'd be this kind of person!"
Willow raised the bracelet, deliberately raising her voice so everyone nearby could hear.
"Is your marriage falling apart, so you steal from others to blow off steam?"
The whispers around me stabbed like needles.
"So humiliating, especially being the chief doctor."
"No wonder Dr. Young dislikes her; if it were me, I wouldn't stand it either."
Willow Carter lifted her chin, her tone laced with challenge: "Since we're colleagues, if you kneel and admit you're wrong, I won't call the police."
"Mom, kneel now! Dad will definitely feel sorry for you if he sees this!" The voice in her head was hopping anxiously.
"Do you want me to be born into a familyless world? You're so selfish!"
Looking at Willow Carter's arrogant face, the anger I'd been holding in for eight years finally exploded.
Raising my hand, the sharp slap echoed through the break room.
"Smack!"
Willow covered her face, eyes wide with shock. "You actually dared to hit me?"
Footsteps came from the end of the corridor, and Mike Young walked over wearing his white lab coat.
Willow immediately ran over, tears streaming down. "Mike, Linda stole my bracelet and hit me!"
Mike's eyes landed on me, devoid of any trust, only cold scrutiny.
I pointed at the surveillance camera above, my voice steady: "Check the footage, see how the bracelet ended up in my bag."
He acted like he didn't hear, his tone heavy with pressure: "Linda Collins, apologize."
My heart tightened painfully, and I could hardly breathe.
Eight years of marriage, two miscarriages, one ectopic pregnancy that almost killed me.
I gave up chances for promotion to support his research, came home every day after work to manage everything at home, and this is the humiliation I get in return?
"Dad's been waiting for you to break down and apologize! His phone's filled with your photos!" The voice in my head kept nagging me relentlessly.
I looked into Mike Young's unfamiliar eyes, and the last trace of warmth inside me vanished.
I pulled out my phone, my finger just touched the numbers, when Willow Carter suddenly panicked.
She rushed over, snatched my phone, her voice shaking: "Don't call the police! It's my fault!"
"I put the bracelet in the wrong place. It wasn't Linda who took it!"
She turned to the colleagues around us, crying as she bowed, "It's all my fault for causing discomfort to everyone. I'm sorry!"
"Linda, you're being way too much. Willow already apologized, and you still won't let it go?" Nurse Lee frowned and said.
"Making a mountain out of a molehill—no wonder Dr. Young doesn't like you." Another young doctor nodded in agreement.
Mike Young frowned, his voice heavy with disappointment: "Linda Collins, you really let me down."
"Mom! Dad has already given you an out, so how can you be so childish!" The voice in my head stomped anxiously.
I walked over to the window and stared at my reflection in the glass.
My hair was dry and yellowed, my face pale, and my eyes filled with exhaustion—there wasn't a shred left of the confident spirit I once had.
Looking again at Willow Carter, her makeup was flawless, and she wore a fitted dress, like a flower raised in a greenhouse.
When I was young, I was proud and ambitious, believing that as long as I worked hard, I could grasp happiness.
But now, I just feel exhausted.
"Let's get a divorce." I turned around and said calmly.
Mike Young froze for a moment, then frowned, "It's just exchanging a spot, isn't it? You're pregnant and still running around. Who in J City is waiting for you?"
A flash of wild joy crossed Willow Carter's eyes, but she quickly hid it, feigning an aggrieved look: "Mike, don't be mad. Maybe Linda's first love is in J City."
I sneered; that accusation was made way too fast.
Mike Young's gaze grew colder: "Eight years of marriage, and you're such a two-timing shameless person!"
"I want a divorce." I repeated, my voice completely steady.
"I don't love you anymore."
"Mom, don't be stubborn! Dad's already giving you a way out!" The voice in my head was breaking with tears.
Mike Young's expression shifted; he probably didn't expect me to be so resolute.
Stepping out of the hospital, the midday sun was blinding.
I realized then, when your heart dies, no tears will fall.
I came home and opened the storage room, dragging out a suitcase covered in dust.
There weren't many things of mine — just a few clothes, some books, and my medical license. I packed them up quickly.
"Mom, come back quickly! Dad will worry if he can't find you!"
"If you just give in, he won't be mad anymore!" The voice in my head kept pushing me.
I picked up my phone; the screen was painfully empty.
No missed calls, no W Chat messages, not even a single text.
For eight years, every time we fought, I was the first to back down.
He had long been used to my compromises, to my giving in.
I smiled wryly to myself and dragged my suitcase toward the door.
Just as I opened the door, my phone suddenly started vibrating wildly.
On the screen, Mike Young and Willow Carter's names flashed alternately.
I took a deep breath, tapped on Mike Young's message, and my finger froze.
"Your mother had a sudden brain hemorrhage during surgery and didn't make it."
"Go back to the hospital immediately and sign the statement—this has nothing to do with the hospital or Willow Carter!"
I stared at the messages, overwhelmed by their absurdity.
Just ten minutes ago, my mom sent me a selfie from H District.
In the photo, she wore a big straw hat, her smile radiant: "Linda, the air here is really nice. When you finish your work, I'll bring you some local specialties."
A terrible suspicion rose up in my mind.
I hailed a taxi, and when I gave the hospital's address, my voice was trembling.
The voice in my head kept persuading me: "Dad only did this because he wants you to come back!"
"Go admit you were wrong immediately. Say you're narrow-minded and shouldn't be threatening divorce!"
The word "endure" felt like a rusty needle stabbing into my heart.
I endured for eight years, only to face his worsening abuse, a third party barging into our home, and this voice that keeps brainwashing me.
In the hospital corridor, Willow Carter was crying in front of the hospital leaders: "It's all my fault. I'm just not skilled enough."
"When the patient had an unexpected emergency, I didn't handle it properly. I'm willing to take full responsibility."
Mike Young stood beside her, gently patting her back, speaking softly: "Don't blame yourself. Accidents happen."
When he saw me, his eyes lit up for a moment, then he turned back to Willow: "Don't be too upset. I'll help you sort this out."
I stood not far away, dragging my suitcase, watching this whole farce with cold eyes.
Mike probably thinks I'm hiding my pain behind coldness.
Willow saw me and cried even harder, "Linda, I'm sorry, I couldn't save your mother."
Mike picked up a document and handed it to me. "Sign it. Once you do, this will be over."
His fingertips instinctively reached for the back of my hand, but I quietly stepped back.
His fingers froze mid-air, a flash of surprise in his eyes.
I picked up the pen and signed without looking at the document.
Mike sighed in relief, his tone softening. "Tonight, I'll make sweet and sour pork ribs—your favorite."
"No, thanks." I said calmly, "I'm not used to your cooking."
The smile on his face froze instantly.
At that moment, Father-in-law's voice came from the other end of the corridor: "Mike! Your mom had an appendectomy. Why hasn't she been discharged yet?"
Father-in-law saw me and walked over with a smile: "Linda's here too. Your mom sent some specialties from H District. We'll go to your place to eat together one of these days."
Mike Young's face instantly went pale, his lips trembling as he struggled to speak.
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