After my father’s death, I no longer wanted a wife

Chapter 1

My wife, Sarah, a renowned surgeon, was always punctual, except when it came to our dates.

She stood me up at the wedding, leaving me alone at the altar.

Even when my dad was critically ill and she promised to perform his surgery, she didn’t show up.

Turns out, she was busy celebrating New Year’s Eve with her junior colleague, Ethan.

At the stroke of midnight, she lit up the city with fireworks for him and even gifted him a million-dollar supercar as a New Year’s present.

My dad’s condition worsened from the stress.

I begged Sarah to come back and save him, but she pretended not to know me, accepting Ethan’s public confession of love instead.

By the time I returned, heartbroken, my dad had passed away.

While Sarah and Ethan flaunted their love, I buried my father alone and accepted an offer from my mentor.

When I returned home to pack, Sarah, back from her trip with Ethan, looked utterly content.

She assumed I was throwing a tantrum.

“Your dad’s fine, stop pretending. I’ll buy him some gifts and go see him with you, happy now?”

She didn’t know that from the moment my dad died, everything between us was over.

1

I folded the last piece of clothing, ready to pack it, when I heard the key turn in the lock.

Sarah walked in.

“What are you doing, so engrossed you didn’t hear me knock?”

Seeing the clothes in my hand, she frowned, snatching them away.

“John, what are you doing with your clothes? Running away?”

“Are you still upset about Ethan? I only went with him because he was alone and I felt bad. It’s just friendship, you’re misunderstanding.”

I was tired of hearing about “just friendship.”

I ignored her, retrieving my clothes and packing them.

Sarah seemed taken aback.

Usually, a few words would appease me.

But today, I was different.

She forced a smile, patting my head like a dog.

“Come on, I’m back now, don’t be mad, okay?”

“I really didn’t mean to pretend I didn’t know you that night. If I’d acknowledged you, Ethan would have been so embarrassed. You know he’s sensitive.”

She then leaned in and kissed me.

I knew she was offering an olive branch.

In the past, I would have forgiven her.

But now, the scent of Ethan’s cologne on her made me sick.

Her words were laughable.

Ethan was sensitive, so I should endure her humiliation?

Five days ago, when my dad was critically ill, Sarah had promised to operate.

But when it was time for the surgery, she was nowhere to be found, ignoring my calls and texts.

It was through her social media that I learned she’d ditched us to celebrate New Year’s with Ethan.

I confronted her at the party, but she pretended not to know me, had security throw me out, and accepted Ethan’s public confession.

The memory of the humiliation and Sarah’s indifference stung.

I looked at her coldly.

“We…”

Need to divorce.

Before I could finish, she interrupted.

She held up a suit, grinning.

“Don’t be grumpy. Look what I got! Didn’t your dad always want a suit? I saw this while traveling and thought he’d like it.”

How dare she mention my dad?

He died because she chose Ethan over his surgery.

I remembered the accusations of being unfilial at my dad’s funeral, my name erased from the family register.

“Poor John Sr., his wife died young, he raised his son alone, and this is how he repays him!”

“Ungrateful son, get out! You’re no longer part of this family!”

The weight of it all felt suffocating.

Looking at the suit, I felt my blood run cold.

I’d seen it in Ethan’s social media, clearly his castoff.

“No need, my dad is…”

Sarah’s patience snapped.

“Enough, John! I told you there was a reason I was with Ethan. Do you have to curse your dad out of jealousy?”

“After all these years, you don’t trust me?”

I scoffed.

She thought I was jealous?

Who didn’t trust whom?

Exhausted, I didn’t bother arguing.

“Think what you want.”

Sarah finally looked at me, sighing.

“Fine, I’ll buy some gifts and we’ll visit your dad. Happy?”

“You two are so childish, arguing over nothing…”

Childish. I’d heard that so often.

I just wanted normal dates, dinners with Sarah, but she always chose Ethan.

Whenever I complained, she’d say he was just a kid, that I was being petty and jealous.

But Ethan was only three years younger than me. We were the married couple, yet she and Ethan seemed more like one.

As I was about to retort, the doorbell rang.

Sarah rushed to the door, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Ethan.

“Ethan, what are you doing here?”

Her voice, flat with me, was now gentle.

“Sarah, I came to return your wedding ring. You took it off that night and forgot it.”

Ethan produced the ring, looking at me defiantly.

I froze.

I noticed Sarah’s ring finger was bare, a faint red mark remaining.

She quickly hid her hand, gauging my reaction.

“It was inconvenient with the fireworks, so I took it off. Don’t misunderstand.”

But she’d sworn never to remove the symbol of our love.

She’d broken her promise.

The air thickened. Ethan casually put his arm around Sarah.

“Sarah, besides the ring, I have a favor to ask.”

“My mom wants to meet my girlfriend now that she knows I’m seeing someone. Could you help me out, Sarah?”

He glanced at me.

“Oh, I almost forgot to ask your husband. John, do you mind if I borrow Sarah for a bit?”

Before I could answer, Sarah jumped in.

“Don’t worry, he doesn’t mind.”

“Let’s go, don’t keep your mom waiting.”

She pulled Ethan towards the door.

As an afterthought, she turned to me, hugging me briefly.

“Sorry, John. I’ll visit your dad with you another day.”

“I promise, I’ll make it up to you both.”

With that, she left.

Watching her go, I laughed bitterly.

There was no “another day.”

From the moment my dad died, we were done.

I wiped where she’d touched me, then retrieved the resignation letter I’d prepared.

2

Soon after, I arrived at the hospital with my letter.

Colleagues stared, whispering.

“He has the nerve to show up? I heard Dr. Miller made a romantic gesture for Dr. Lee, and he barged in and ruined it. And what happened? Dr. Miller threw him out. Serves him right!”

“Some people are delusional. A toad lusting after a swan. He’s not worthy of Dr. Miller!”

“Just a pathetic simp, thinking he’s something special. Dr. Miller and Dr. Lee are meant to be, a match made in heaven!”

Their mockery washed over me. I was numb to it.

It was ironic. We’d been married for eight years, yet Sarah refused to acknowledge me publicly.

She said it was for my own good, to avoid gossip about nepotism.

At work, she forbade me from calling her “wife,” insisting on “Dr. Miller.”

We worked at the same hospital, yet she’d rather I endure a crowded subway commute than offer a ride.

Initially, I believed her.

Then Ethan arrived.

The Sarah who avoided me let Ethan cling to her lab coat, calling her “Sarah” and engaging in public displays of affection.

Over time, people, mirroring Sarah’s coldness, began to ostracize and bully me, dumping all the menial tasks on me.

I complained to Sarah, but she dismissed it as “character building.”

She forgot that I didn’t need it. I had a promising career, opportunities abroad.

But she said she couldn’t bear to be apart, wanted me by her side.

For her, I quit my well-paying job, joining her private practice, starting from scratch.

Yet, I was stuck with the worst jobs, the lowest pay.

I wasn’t even officially employed, ineligible to operate on my dad, forced to watch him die.

Suppressing the bitterness, I submitted my resignation.

The HR officer sneered. “About time. It’s in the system. Just needs Dr. Miller’s approval.”

I nodded, leaving.

I wandered aimlessly, ending up at the old bridge where Sarah and I first met.

She’d been falsely accused of a fatal medication error, driven to the brink of suicide.

I’d saved her, comforted her, helped clear her name.

Relieved and grateful, she’d hugged me, vowing eternal love.

Yet, she’d broken that vow.

Since Ethan, her attention had shifted, her affection replaced by indifference and impatience.

Once, she’d nursed me through a fever, heartbroken by my illness.

Now, she saw it as a ploy for attention.

For Ethan, she’d argued with me, abandoned me for months.

For Ethan, she’d neglected my dying father.

I should have let go sooner. Maybe my dad would still be alive.

It was a mistake from the start.

A familiar voice startled me.

I saw Sarah, Ethan, and his mother shopping, a picture of familial bliss.

Seeing Sarah holding Ethan’s mother’s grimy hand surprised me.

Sarah was always obsessed with cleanliness, disdainful of my dad’s rural background, dousing the house with disinfectant whenever he visited.

Embarrassed, he’d stopped coming.

Yet, she held Ethan’s mother’s sweaty, dirty hand without flinching.

It wasn’t about cleanliness. It was about love, or the lack thereof.

They stopped at a “kissing challenge,” a competition for a free rice cooker.

Ethan’s mother was excited.

“Sarah, Ethan, you should do it! A free rice cooker!”

I expected Sarah to refuse.

She hated such childish things.

She’d once called my suggestion of couple photos “unprofessional.”

But she readily agreed.

She pulled Ethan onstage, cupped his face, and kissed him deeply.

They won, kissing for ten minutes.

Onlookers were impressed.

“Such a sweet couple!”

“Ten minutes! Amazing!”

Sarah blushed, about to collect the prize.

Seeing me in the crowd, she froze.

“John, what are you doing here?”

3

“What? I can’t be here?”

Ethan’s mom sensed Sarah’s discomfort, scrutinizing me.

“Sarah, who is this?”

Before Sarah could answer, Ethan spoke.

“Mom, this is Sarah’s driver.”

Hearing this, Ethan’s mom scoffed.

“Just a driver? Sarah, this driver is disrespectful.”

“A servant speaking to his employer like that. You should fire him!”

Sarah remained silent, watching, not defending me.

She was always like this, claiming love, yet indifferent to my humiliation.

I scoffed, turning to leave.

Sarah chased after me, pulling me aside.

“John, I’m sorry, but with Ethan’s mom here, I couldn’t contradict her. I had to let you down…”

I interrupted coldly.

“No need to apologize. I’m just a driver, I can’t be mad at my employer, can I?”

Besides, hadn’t I endured enough humiliation over the years?

I didn’t bother saying the rest, walking away.

Back home, I noticed a message from my mentor.

[Ready? I booked your flight, 3 pm. Send me your address, I’ll pick you up.]

I wheeled out my packed suitcase, sending him a picture.

“All set, ready to go.”

A cold voice came from behind.

“Go? Where are you going? And what’s with the luggage?”

Sarah stood there, her face frosty. Ethan followed, putting on slippers.

Seeing my suitcase, Ethan looked smug, yet feigning concern.

“John, even if you’re upset, you can’t run away and worry Sarah!”

“I was wrong to call you a driver. It was to appease my mom. If you’re offended, I apologize on her behalf.”

Same old tricks. He wasn’t tired of performing, but I was tired of watching.

I glanced at him. “I don’t accept your apology.”

“John, Ethan’s apologizing, what’s your attitude…”

Sarah started to defend Ethan, but I cut her off.

“You’re back just in time, Sarah. Let’s get a divorce.”

Sarah froze, shocked.

“John, stop joking around.”

I repeated, firmly. “I’m not joking. Let’s get divorced.”

I threw the divorce papers I’d prepared at her.

Seeing the words, her eyes narrowed.

“You even prepared this?”

Ethan fueled the fire. “John, you’re so angry you even made fake divorce papers…”

Sarah frowned, rubbing her temples.

“John, stop it. This is exhausting.”

Ethan played the victim.

“John, it’s my fault, I caused this fight between you and Sarah.”

“I’m sorry. Don’t be angry, I’ll take my mom home and disappear from Sarah’s life. Please don’t divorce, don’t let me come between you…”

He moved as if to kneel before me.

Then, he dramatically fell, scraping his hand.

Sarah rushed to him, comforting him.

“John, what did you do?”

Ethan leaned into her. “Sarah, I tripped, it’s not John’s fault, don’t blame him…”

This only made Sarah angrier.

“John, apologize to Ethan! Or I will divorce you!”

She often used divorce as a threat.

And I, blinded by love, always caved.

I dreaded hearing those words.

But this time, I didn’t object. I pushed the papers towards her.

“Fine. Sign them.”

Sarah glared at me. As she was about to explode, Ethan cried out.

“Sarah, my hand hurts!”

She grabbed her car keys, ready to take him to the hospital.

I stopped them, holding out the papers and a pen.

“Sign this, and you can go.”

Thinking it was a prop, she signed without looking, throwing them back at me.

“Happy now?”

She took Ethan to the hospital.

The pen nicked my face, drawing blood.

I didn’t feel it. I picked up the papers, laughing coldly.

Sarah didn’t know those papers were real.

She didn’t know that from that moment, it was truly over.

4

After cleaning my cut, HR messaged, asking me to personally submit my resignation to Sarah.

I replied “Okay,” and headed to the hospital.

Near the department, I heard colleagues talking.

“Dr. Lee, Dr. Miller spoils you! A paid week off for a cut finger? I’m so jealous!”

“She’s such a ‘wife guy’! Are you two getting married soon?”

“Send us wedding invitations!”

I entered, seeing Ethan and Sarah surrounded by colleagues.

Sarah was gently blowing on Ethan’s wound.

“Of course, we’ll let you know when we’re getting married.”

I scoffed. Good, she was here.

I placed my luggage aside, presenting my resignation.

“Dr. Miller, please sign this.”

Seeing me, her eyes lit up, taking the papers slowly.

Reading them, she looked disappointed.

“John, I thought you’d reflect at home. Why are you still acting like this?”

“Resigning? What about your dad? He needs that medication. You only get it free because you work here.”

Ethan chimed in, smugly. “Yeah, John, don’t be rash and abandon your dad!”

HR spoke awkwardly. “Dr. Miller, John’s father passed away. He took bereavement leave.”

Sarah looked at me, panic in her eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

I said coldly, “It’s personal, even you, as the director, have no right to pry.”

Seeing my expression, she pulled me aside.

“John, let’s talk at home.”

“I messed up. I’ll make it up to you, I’ll make you a permanent employee, okay?”

Ethan interjected.

“Yeah, John, don’t be stubborn. Sarah’s offering you a promotion, recognizing your skills. You should have been permanent ages ago, it’s Sarah who held it back…”

“Sorry, Sarah, I slipped…”

I froze.

So, Sarah had been blocking my promotion.

Sensing my coldness, she backpedaled.

“John, it was for your own good, to build character.”

“Don’t be mad. I’ll make you permanent, promote you…”

I interrupted coldly. “Keep it for Ethan.”

Sarah’s face flushed. “John, what do you want? This attitude is getting old.”

Just then, a nurse brought my mentor in.

Seeing me, he hugged me. “John, I’ve been waiting! Let’s go, we’ll miss our flight!”

Sarah was stunned. “What flight?”

My mentor answered. “Didn’t you know? John’s accepted my offer to train at St. Sebastian’s Hospital abroad.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “Training abroad? Why didn’t I know?”

“No, you can’t go without my permission!”

I pulled away, coldly. “Dr. Miller, please behave.”

Ethan gaped, jealousy in his eyes.

“St. Sebastian’s? That’s a top hospital!”

Then he sneered, “But John, St. Sebastian’s doesn’t accept married trainees. How did you get in? Did you pull strings?”

Sarah jumped on it.

“John, if you leave, I’ll report you! You don’t want your mentor dragged into this, do you?”

My mentor looked confused.

“Dragged into what? You and John are already divorced.”

Sarah’s face darkened. “What are you talking about? We’re not divorced!”

My mentor, more confused, showed her our signed divorce papers.

“Don’t be ridiculous. You signed the papers, you’re divorced.”