Chapter 5 - The Divorce in the Burn Ward
Three weeks later, I was transferred to the hospital's specialized physical rehabilitation wing.
My daughter, whom I named Maya after my late mother, had gained weight in the NICU, her tiny lungs growing stronger every day under the protective care of Nurse Miriam and a dedicated pediatric team.
One rainy Tuesday morning, the door to my therapy room pushed open.
Julian walked in wearing a tailored gray wool suit, holding a crisp white manila envelope. He looked at my healing, scarred skin with open revulsion, curling his lip in disgust.
"Look at you," Julian sneered, tossing the manila envelope onto the edge of my physical therapy table. "You look like a monster. I married a beautiful woman, Elena, not a scarred, damaged cripple. I am not spending the rest of my life taking care of a burn victim."
"What is this, Julian?" I asked, my voice calm and completely steady.
"A petition for absolute dissolution of marriage," Julian replied with cold satisfaction. "Under the terms, I am taking full ownership of the Ridge Road property to offset the financial ruin your medical bills have caused. In exchange, I am letting you keep full custody of that sick premature baby. You should thank me. A court will never give a disfigured woman marital support."
I picked up the pen. With a slow, deliberate hand, I signed the formal acknowledgment of receipt.
"Enjoy the house while you can, Julian," I said softly.
May you like
Julian let out an arrogant laugh, snatching the papers back. "I’m putting it on the market next month. Have a nice life, Elena."
He walked out of the hospital room with a victorious grin, completely unaware that he had just signed his own death warrant in the eyes of the law.
