Negotiator's Lie, Wife's Goodbye

My husband, who's a negotiation expert, allows his intern to recklessly anger some criminals. It causes me, the hostage, to suffer severe injuries in the explosion, and my right leg breaks because of it.

Yet, my husband once again issues a letter of forgiveness for her.

"My wife, as a reporter, ignored warnings and forced contact with the criminals to get the scoop. The main responsibility lies with her. Kimberly, being a newcomer, should not bear major fault."

I don't cry or make a scene. I simply pull out a divorce agreement.

However, he sneers at me. "I know you're just jealous and want me to comfort you, but don't cross the line."

For the past three years, I've brought up the topic of divorce 47 times, and each time, he treats it like I'm just throwing a tantrum.

But it's different this time. His name has already been signed on this divorce agreement.

As long as I add my signature to it, it will take effect immediately.

I typed on the phone with the only fingers I could still move, "I'm serious. Let's get a divorce."

Zack Larson, my husband, stood in front of the hospital bed, lowering his eyes to look at the screen.

The calm mask on his face—unique to a negotiation expert—showed a slight crack.

"Serenity," he said in the soothing tone he often used at the negotiation table. "You're emotionally unstable right now. This isn't the right time for us to discuss this."

The beeping of the monitor echoed especially clearly in the ward.

He reached out, wanting to touch my wrist, but stopped when he saw the layers of gauze. Finally, he only tucked the blanket gently around me.

"The doctor said your right leg may need long-term rehabilitation. I'll contact the best rehabilitation center."

I stared at Zack's neat collar, where a peach-shaped pin from Kimberly Harmon was still clipped on.

While struggling to hold up my gauze-wrapped body, I spoke, my smoke-damaged vocal cords producing broken syllables.

"Let's. Di. Vorce. Zack."

His body suddenly stiffened up. I saw his Adam's apple move as his jaw tightened.

"Serenity Jones."

He turned around to face me while speaking in an extremely low voice. Each word seemed to be squeezed out through clenched teeth.

"I was the one who put you through college, and I even sponsored you through graduate school. You said you wanted to repay me and to get married."

Zack sneered as his long fingers tapped lightly on the divorce papers. "You knew I didn't like you, but thanks to your tricks, you still forced me into marrying you. And now you're lying here, telling me you want a divorce?"

Suddenly, he snatched up the water cup by the bedside. However, he froze at the moment he was about to smash it, and his knuckles turned white.

"Serenity, what do you take me for? An ATM to be used and thrown away? Or just a stepping stone for you to climb higher?"