Zoe purchased groceries and prepared a meal, packing it neatly in an insulated container before delivering it to him at the hospital. Upon entering the ward, she found Evan sitting on the bed with a cold expression etched on his face. Zoe gave him a fleeting glance, wondering what's got into him today.
Unperturbed, she unpacked the food, arranging each dish carefully on the nightstand. Her food filling the entire room with an inviting aroma that stirred the appetite.
As she turned around, she met Evan's scowling gaze. Zoe's brows furrowed slightly as she handed him the rice, urging, "Your meal is here."
Evan curled his lip, glancing down at the spaghetti in her hand before abruptly knocking it to the ground.
"What are you doing?" she recoiled, stepping back.
She couldn't fathom how he could behave this way, or perhaps this was his true nature all along.
"Is 'having something important to do' code for sneaking off with a doctor? Holding each other's hands? Zoe, did you think about how I feel?" His veins bulged on his forehead, a clear indication of his intense anger.
Zoe froze for a moment, then quickly realized what he was referring to. "He's a doctor. Unlike you, I don't play around," she retorted.
Evan seized her wrist, yanking her forward as he let out a derisive laugh. "Are you about to claim you have some terminal illness to cover up your affair?"
Her face paled anew. When had they reached a point where they hurled such venomous words at each other?
"Let me go, you're hurting me," she complained, his grip too tight.
"Why don't you answer my question? Did I hit the mark?" Evan’s anger flared at her seemingly hurt expression, and he tightened his grasp further.
Zoe’s brows knitted deeper as she desperately tried to pry his fingers open with her other hand, but they were like iron clamps, unyielding. Tears welled up in her eyes, a testament to the pain she felt.
"Evan, are you crazy?" she hissed.
Through clenched teeth, Evan spat, "Crazy? Let me tell you, Zoe, as long as I'm not dead, you won't get away with cheating on me!"
"Divorce!" Two trails of tears rolled down Zoe's cheeks. Accusing her of infidelity? Absolutely ridiculous.
Throughout everything, it was solely Evan who had been unfaithful!
"Oh?" Evan released her, flinging her backward so hard that she stumbled and fell onto the floor. Realization dawned on him; her persistence for divorce stemmed from her having found someone new!
"No wonder, so eager to divorce just to be with him, huh?" His eyes burned with anger, yet his lips curved upward in a mocking smile.
Zoe hoisted herself up, glaring at him. "What are you talking about?!"
"I'm telling you, I won't grant this divorce! Dream on if you think you can run off with your adulterer!" he barked.
Rubbing her sore wrist, she stifled her tears and yelled back, "Then we'll settle it in court!"
"Go ahead and try," he sneered, his expression darkening.
The door suddenly swung open, and Jocelyn feigned surprise as she entered, having eavesdropped outside for a while.
"Why are you arguing?" she asked, walking over and placing her bag on the sofa.
"Oh no!" she exclaimed, noticing the food on the floor. "What a waste of food."
Zoe glared icily at Jocelyn, their gazes colliding. In Jocelyn's eyes, there was nothing but mockery.
Evan, still seething with rage, especially over her threat of legal action – a clear indication to him that they must have been plotting together all along! – remained silent, his face a thundercloud.
Zoe wiped her tears with her sleeve, grabbed her bag, and stormed out.
Jocelyn, fully aware, pretended ignorance. "Evan, what happened?"
Evan didn't answer, his eyes fixed on the closing door. Suddenly, he swept all the food from the nightstand to the floor with a violent gesture. The two meat dishes, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans scattered, filling the room with the lingering scent of food. Gravy splashed onto Jocelyn's trousers, eliciting a startled cry as she hurriedly fetched tissues to clean it up.
Evan shot her a glare and pressed the call button for the nurse.
