I Let Him Go to Save His Sweetheart

When Derek Sloan's childhood sweetheart, Nina Graham, has another depressive episode, he hands me divorce papers. I calmly sign my name and tell him I'm leaving the country. He looks at me in surprise, then it dawns on him. "You're so well-behaved this time. Did you realize that throwing a fit won't work, so now you're trying a different way to win me back?" he asks. "Going abroad is fine, too. "That way, you won't upset Nina. Once she's better, I'll come get you." I return my wedding ring to him and look at the ugly scars on my wrist. I say calmly, "There's no need to. Let's let each other go and stop dragging this out." Chapter 1 Derek Sloan and rising movie star Nina Graham's relationship had been all over the news for three days. I kept it from my mom, Susan Grant, for just as long. As the story gained more attention, I stayed by Mom's side, never leaving her alone. Mom lay pale and weak in her hospital bed, her eyes drifting toward the door now and then. "Where's Derek?" she asked. I swallowed the ache in my chest and answered softly, "He's busy with work right now. He'll come see you when he gets a chance." Hearing that, Mom smiled. She said, "I just haven't seen him in a while. He's busy with work, so don't give him a hard time. "As long as you two are happy together, that's all that matters." I smiled back. After Mom fell asleep, I finally checked my phone, but there was nothing. Derek didn't send me a single text, make a call, or offer any explanation. I sat outside the hospital room, the cold from the chair seeping through my clothes and settling deep in my bones. Then a notification popped up on my phone. It was a video from Nina. In it, she and Derek were sitting in a private room, singing a love song together into their microphones. They were dressed in matching outfits, and the way they looked at each other made their feelings painfully obvious. When the song reached its peak, Nina turned and gave Derek a quick kiss. It was barely more than a peck, but everyone in the video erupted in cheers. The video went viral online almost instantly. "They're so cute together!" "The cool, aloof scientist and the gorgeous movie star? I approve of them together!" I stared numbly at the flood of comments congratulating them. I felt like I was watching someone else's life—except that I was Derek's wife. I closed the video and leaned against the cold wall, closing my eyes. With trembling hands, I called Derek, unable to stop thinking about how close he and Nina had been in the video. Derek didn't answer. A long time later, he finally called back. "What is it?" It was lively on his end, as if they were celebrating something. My voice came out hoarse. "I saw the headlines about you and Nina." Derek sounded impatient. "That's what you're calling me about? It's just a publicity stunt for Nina. Don't start making a big deal out of nothing." "It's just a publicity stunt?" I almost laughed, but my throat hurt so badly that it felt raw. "Derek, you are wearing matching outfits and kissing in front of everyone. How is that a publicity stunt?" I heard Nina laughing in the background. She seemed to be asking Derek who was calling. Derek's voice immediately softened. He replied, "It's nothing. Just someone unimportant." When he turned his attention back to me, his irritation was even more obvious. "Blythe, how many times do I have to explain this? "Nina's career is taking off. She needs the buzz and exposure. We're doing this to help her. Can you act like an adult and stop making a fuss over every little thing?" "You think this is a trivial matter?" I gripped my phone until my knuckles turned white. "Derek, Mom is sick. She can't handle this kind of stress." He went silent for a long time. "I understand. I won't let Susan find out." Then he added, "But Blythe, don't forget that I'm the one paying for her medical treatment. "If you cause me any trouble again, or say anything to the press that you shouldn't, you'd better be ready to bury Susan!" The words "bury Susan" sent a sharp pain through my chest. I felt cold all over. Even my breathing felt unsteady. "I understand." Chapter 2 The next day, Derek came home and handed me three copies of the divorce papers. He had already signed them. I stared at them for a long time. When he started to look impatient, I calmly took the papers and signed each one. After a long silence, Derek sighed. For once, he actually explained himself. "This is only a temporary divorce. I'm not going to abandon you. "I was going to visit Susan after the party last night, but Nina had another depressive episode. I'm only doing this to cheer her up. Once she's doing better, you and I will get remarried. "Blythe, I hope you won't go to Nina and make a scene. She developed depression because I married you, and I can't just turn my back on her." I looked at Derek's handsome face. There were dark circles under his eyes. He had probably stayed up all night with Nina again. My eyes fell on the divorce papers on the table. Our names were written in black and white, sitting close together on the page. The scent of fresh ink was still lingering around them. When I didn't respond, Derek grew impatient. "Blythe, did you hear me?" I answered quietly, "Got it." He hadn't expected me to agree so easily. Derek pressed his lips together and stood up. "Go pack your things. Nina still has filming to do, and this place is close to the set. I'm going to let her stay here for a while. You should move out first." I nodded. Seeing how easily I agreed, Derek grew irritated. "You had better mean it. Don't say one thing to my face and do another behind my back. Otherwise, I'll stop paying for your mom's medical treatment." My breath hitched. The first time I learned about Nina was on an ordinary night when Derek didn't come home. I spent the whole night looking for him. Finally, I found him in a small apartment near his office, asleep with Nina in his arms. She had both arms wrapped tightly around his waist, her head resting against his chest. The moment I saw them together, I lost control. I was so overwhelmed that I pulled Nina up and slapped her. Derek didn't explain himself or even look flustered at being caught. Instead, he struck me across the face. He even forced me to create a painting for her. Nina had a painting competition coming up in a month and needed a piece for it. I refused to do it. So, to get back at me for refusing to help Nina, Derek injured my hand so badly that I could never hold a paintbrush again. When he learned that I'd never be able to paint again, he saw how devastated I was and rubbed his forehead in frustration. "Blythe, is your hand really more important than a life? "Don't you know Nina has depression?" Nina's depression became her excuse to be part of our lives. On every holiday, birthday, anniversary, or family celebration, she always found a reason to pull Derek away. Even on the anniversary of Dad's death, one phone call from Nina was enough to make Derek leave. I became bitter and resentful, constantly arguing with him. But this time, I suddenly felt exhausted. I finally understood that our years together couldn't compare to what he felt for his childhood sweetheart. A flicker of surprise and unease crossed Derek's face when he saw how calm I was, but it vanished the moment Nina called. When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped. Derek turned around and asked, "Where are you going?" I lowered my head and thought for a moment. "I'll go abroad, somewhere far away from you two." He looked at me in surprise, and then it dawned on him. "You're so well-behaved this time. Did you realize that throwing a fit wouldn't work, so now you're trying a different way to win me back? "Never mind. Going abroad is fine, too. That way, you won't upset Nina. Once she's better, I'll come get you." With that, he hurried out. Chapter 3 I took off my wedding ring and looked at the ugly scar on my wrist. As I watched Derek walk away, I placed the ring on the coffee table. "You don't need to come get me. Let's let each other go, Derek. I don't want anything more to do with you." My voice was calm, but there were tears in my eyes. It was a goodbye meant only for me. Derek hadn't heard it, but even if he had, I didn't think it would have meant anything to him. Everyone who knew us knew I loved him deeply. I had even been willing to give up my life for him. My phone chimed with a notification. The message read, "Are you really coming to Fioren?" I picked up my phone, but my eyes fell on my crooked fingers. A wave of sadness washed over me. My fingers moved across the screen. "I've made up my mind. I'll go to Fioren once I've taken care of everything here." When I went to the courthouse to submit the signed divorce papers, I passed by a giant digital screen. It was showing a wedding dress advertisement. Nina stood beside Derek in a white wedding gown, a happy smile lighting up her face. Passersby commented on how perfect they looked together. I suddenly remembered when Derek and I registered our marriage six years ago. He told me he was a scientist, not some celebrity who wanted to be in the spotlight. He didn't want the public watching his every move. He also didn't want people thinking he had gotten to where he was by relying on his wife's wealthy family. So, we never had a wedding. We didn't even take a single wedding photo. I respected his wishes, and my family did too. Later, when my family's business ran into trouble and went under, I gave him divorce papers. But Derek tore them to pieces and pulled me into his arms. Back then, I had thought that nothing would ever tear us apart, no matter what happened in the future. But everything changed when Nina came into our lives. I had tried to save our marriage, but nothing worked. After being disappointed too many times, I remembered something Dad had told me when I was a child. "Blythe, I want you to be carefree," Dad had said. "That's why I gave you that name." The past and present seemed to blur together. I watched Derek and Nina smiling at each other on the screen. And for the first time, I smiled and let go. … When I returned home to pack my things and leave, I ran into Derek and Nina. Derek was clearly unhappy to see me. "Why are you still here?" I said nothing. As I walked past them, Nina tripped me, and I fell hard onto the floor. Derek just looked down at me with disdain. I didn't want to stay any longer. I quickly picked up my bags and headed for the door. Derek suddenly stopped me. "What's that painting you're carrying?" I froze. Derek took the painting from me. It showed a family of three from behind, their shadows stretching long in the evening light. He thought for a moment. "Let Nina use this for her competition." I refused without hesitation. "Absolutely not." Derek hadn't expected my refusal. He looked at me in surprise. Then, his expression darkened. "What are you going to do with this painting? Nina is trying to land a role as an artist, and this competition is very important to her." I shook my head again. I had painted this before Dad died. It showed Dad, Mom, and me, and it meant the world to me. "Blythe, can you just be reasonable for once?" Derek snapped. I gritted my teeth, unwilling to give it up. "Why should I? Your relationship with Nina is all over the news. Why should I be the one acting reasonably? "Derek, if you insist on taking this painting, I'll tell everyone exactly how fake this great love story of yours really is. "And I'll expose Nina for being the homewrecker who came between a married couple!" The moment I finished speaking, Derek laughed, clearly furious. "Blythe, are you threatening me now?" Chapter 4 Derek stopped speaking to me altogether. He seemed to think that I would do what I always did. He expected me to swallow my pride, try to appease him, and put the painting in his hands, begging him to take it. Instead, I calmly moved my things out and checked into a hotel. I booked two plane tickets to Fioren. Once our divorce was finalized, I planned to take Mom to Fioren. Then a call from the hospital shattered my hopes. When I got to the hospital, Mom was curled up in a corner, shivering in a thin hospital gown. Two large bodyguards stood beside her, watching her without a hint of concern. I rushed over, took off my coat, and draped it around her shoulders. Then, I helped her to her feet. When Mom saw me, tears filled her eyes, but she still forced a weak smile. "I'm okay. Don't worry. I saw how pale her lips were, and anger surged through me. I turned to the bodyguard beside her and demanded, "How dare you treat Mom like this! Was it…" But when I saw how sickly Mom looked, I swallowed the name. One of the bodyguards said coldly, "Since you're here, take her and leave. If you can't afford treatment, then don't get it. She might as well die. "That's what he said." My heart sank with dread. I clenched my teeth and helped Mom along as we went to find her attending physician. But I was told that her doctor was away for training. I asked them to find Mom another bed, even if it was only for one day. The staff exchanged uneasy looks and shook their heads. "I'm sorry, Ms. York. We're completely full." I knew it was an excuse, but there was nothing I could do. So, I had no choice but to take Mom back to the hotel. I called and visited hospitals all over the city, but I got the same answer everywhere—there were no beds available. I called Derek. He answered right away, sounding unconcerned. "What do you want?" I screamed, on the verge of breaking down. "Derek, you know Mom is sick. How could you do this? "You could kill her! She's always treated you well. How can you be so cruel? Are you doing this all because of a painting? "I'll give it to you. Please, take it out on me instead. Mom has done nothing wrong!" There was silence on the other end of the line. After a long pause, Derek finally spoke. His voice was icy. "I told you. If you pull anything else and hurt Nina, I'll stop paying for Susan's treatment. "You went online and spread lies, getting everyone to call Nina a homewrecker. She's very upset. "This is just a lesson." I froze. "Wasn't this because I refused to give you the painting? I didn't—" Derek ended the call before I could finish speaking. I quickly checked the social media. The hashtag was at the top of the trending list. My eyes narrowed when I saw it. The post named Nina in the hashtag, accusing her of being a homewrecker. It included a recording of a conversation from a distance, so the voices were muffled and hard to make out. But my voice was still recognizable. "And I'll expose Nina for being the homewrecker who came between a married couple!" I sank beside a flower bed outside the hotel. The winter wind was bitter, and my hands and feet were freezing. But I didn't dare go inside. I couldn't face Mom. After all, she was only suffering because of me. All I could do was call Derek, but he ignored every call. Just when I was losing hope, Derek finally answered. Faced with his silence, I asked him desperately, "What do you want me to do? Derek chuckled. "Go ahead and make a scene. Post our marriage certificate. Let everyone know we're married, and call Nina a homewrecker." I froze. "What?"