Divorce To Marry a CEO

Chapter 2: Enough is Enough

The morning sun filtered weakly through the hospital window, casting soft rays across the sterile room where Sophia sat by her mother’s bedside. She had spent the night there, offering the excuse of taking care of her mother, who was in desperate need of surgery. But the truth was, Sophia couldn’t bear to go home, not to the cold, lifeless house she shared with Marcus, not after the resolution she had made. The walls of that house echoed with memories of a marriage that had never truly existed, and she couldn’t face them.

Her mother stirred lightly, her face pale and weak from the ongoing pain. The surgery was vital, yet the funds for it seemed impossible to gather. Sophia’s mother still clung to the hope that Marcus and his family would step in, believing that they’d help out. After all, they had the money, and her daughter was married into the family. But Sophia knew better.

Marcus wouldn’t even allow her to work, insisting that he could provide for everything they needed. Yet now, when it truly mattered, when Sophia’s mother’s life was hanging in the balance, he was silent. And his family? Evelyn and Lauren had already made it clear that they wouldn’t lift a finger. They had refused before she could even fully explain the situation, brushing her off with patronizing words and fake sympathy. It stung even more that they did it in front of her, knowing how much it mattered.

Her phone buzzed softly in her lap, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a phone call from Marcus. He hadn’t called since she left the house, but now his name flashed on the screen. For a moment, she hesitated, staring at the name that had once filled her with so much love and hope. Now, it was just another reminder of what had been lost.

Taking a deep breath, she picked up the call. "Marcus," she said, her voice soft but steady.

"Sophia," he replied, his tone guarded. "Where are you?"

“I’m with my mother,” she said simply. There was no need to go into the details.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, as if he was weighing his next words carefully. "Why didn’t you come home last night?"

Sophia closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the chair. “I didn’t think you’d notice if I was gone,” she replied, her words sharper than she intended. The truth was, she had been gone from their marriage for a long time—only now, it was physical.

He hesitated and asked again, "Are you coming home today?"

Sophia shook her head, even though he couldn’t see her. "I’ll meet you at the house later. I need to talk to you about something important."

After a brief silence, he simply said, "Alright."

No mention of her mother’s surgery. No concern for the woman who had practically raised her. Nothing about the money she needed. It was always like this with him; cold, distant, as though he lived in a different world, one where her problems didn’t exist.

Sophia sighed, placing her phone down beside her. The heaviness in her chest returned as she looked at her mother, still sleeping. She knew she couldn’t tell her the truth—that Marcus’s family wouldn’t help. It would break her mother’s heart to know that the only hope she had was a mirage, an empty promise that would never be fulfilled.

When her mother woke up, she smiled weakly at Sophia, her eyes still filled with hope. “Honey, did you ask Marcus about the money? Did his family agree to help?”

Sophia felt a knot form in her throat. She couldn’t bear to lie, but she also couldn’t tell her the truth, not yet. “I’m still talking to him about it, Mom. Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out.”

Her mother squeezed her hand, her touch light and fragile. “You’re such a good daughter. I know you’ll find a way. Marcus’s family has always been so generous. I’m sure they’ll help us.”