The next day, I returned to the hospital. Despite my father’s death, I had a surgery to perform that couldn’t be postponed.
After completing the surgery, I ran into the head of Damon’s department, Dr. Smith.
“Is Damon still not back?” he asked, looking relieved to see me.
I shook my head.
“Damon took time off for a reunion trip with his friends. How can he take such a long break? Even though there aren’t any major surgeries at the moment, he shouldn’t be away for so long!” Dr. Smith complained disapprovingly.
My heart felt as if it was being crushed by a thousand-pound weight, making it hard for me to breathe.
So, he was taking time off only for a reunion trip with his friends. I thought he was so busy, too busy to make it back for my father’s surgery, too busy to attend the funeral.
“Ashley, Damon can’t go on like this, forgetting his responsibilities.”
I forced a smile and nodded. I had always seen Damon as a mature, dedicated workaholic. He had always been strict with himself and wouldn’t easily abandon his hospital duties.
Yet, he left my father’s surgery for Carol’s birthday. It turns out he wasn’t as devoted to his work as I thought.
Since Dr. Smith personally came to ask about Damon, and I couldn’t sign the divorce papers alone, I hesitated but dialed his number again.
The busy signal greeted me once more.
But I no longer felt sad as before. Just very tired.
I tried calling one more time, deciding it would be my last attempt. This time, the call went through.
Instead of the familiar voice, a woman answered. “Damon is in the bathroom. His phone is in his bag. What do you need?”
Carol’s tone was full of arrogance.
“When are you coming back?” I no longer asked when Damon would return because I knew he would be with Carol.
“We’re about to check in. Our flight is tight. Do you need anything else?”
Before I could ask more, Carol grew impatient. She sounded just as arrogant as she did the night my father died.
Back then, she also said, “Damon is in the shower. What do you need?”
I froze, then laughed through my tears: “Nothing, just divorce.”
The line went silent for a moment, then Carol’s impatient voice came back: “I’ll let him know. If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.”
I didn’t understand her arrogance. Was it because Damon was with her? She wanted to show off, but I was already numb.
I smiled and replied, “Okay.”
Carol hung up immediately after I finished speaking.