Chapter 3

Leon sat on the couch and was dressed in the same custom-made gray suit he'd worn in the morning for the divorce proceedings. His demeanor exuded a sense of laziness and indifference. At that moment, he was making idle conversation with Leslie and was clearly unaffected by the divorce. When he noticed Victoria's arrival, he looked up at her. Victoria's hands clenched at her sides as her eyes filled with unmistakable disdain and loathing. "You're here," Leslie greeted her. Victoria shifted her gaze and responded with a hum. "I explained everything over the phone, and here's a breakdown of the monthly costs. Take a look. "If everything's okay, just fill in your information and sign." Leslie handed her the itemized bill. As Victoria took it. Her heart sank slightly at the sight of the five-figure monthly medical expenses. If Wayne hadn't swindled away her premarital assets, she could've managed for a few more months, but now she had nothing. Given her financial situation, there was no way she could sustain such an enormous cost. "If the expenses are too much of a burden, you can choose from one of these alternative plans." Noticing her hesitation, Leslie pulled out another document and handed it to her. The new plans were significantly cheaper but still required over ten thousand dollars per month. Seeing her deep in thought, Leslie instinctively glanced at Leon, who gave him a look. Leslie immediately understood and got up with his phone in hand. "Take your time to review these plans. I'll check on the patients. If none of these options work, we can discuss it again when I'm back." Victoria was focused on the treatment plans. "Alright." Leslie soon left and made sure to close the door behind him, leaving only Victoria and Leon in the room. The room was filled with intense pin-drop silence. "No matter how long you stare at those papers, you simply don't have the financial ability to afford your mother's expensive medical costs," Leon finally said. His voice was casual and utterly indifferent. Victoria's anger flared, and her gaze filled with fury. "Not to mention, you need to rent a place and raise Edwin," Leon added. Victoria glared at him. "What exactly are you trying to imply?" "I consider the divorce as just you throwing a tantrum." Leon got up and stepped toward her. "As long as you never bring it up again, I'll continue covering your mother's medical expenses, and you'll still be my wife." "What about Eva?" Victoria questioned in return. "You two won't interfere with each other. If you don't like seeing her, I can make sure she says out of your sight." Victoria let out a mocking laugh. "Well, should I thank you for your thoughtfulness?" "You should know which choice benefits you the most. You've lived a wealthy life long enough to understand it'll be tough to adapt to a frugal life," Leon responded and was unbothered by her sarcasm. His tone was calm as if he were negotiating a business deal. Of course, Victoria understood. She'd never experienced hardship in her life. She'd never had to worry about money before the Smith family's downfall. And even after everything happened, she hadn't had time to feel the financial strain because Leon married her. He'd given her unlimited access to his cards, so she had never had to concern herself with money. By all accounts, she should be satisfied. Even if Eva and Leon were a couple, Leon would never mistreat her. He'd still give her everything she needed and treat her with the same meticulous care as before. But life wasn't just about money. Dignity and self-respect mattered too. "Dignity and respect won't put food on the table. The outside world isn't as easy as you think," Leon harshly commented as he saw through her thoughts. "Given your current situation, you'll struggle with each step you take without me." Victoria snapped, "I don't need your concern. Mind your own business." "Victoria." Leon didn't understand why she was being so stubborn. "If you have nothing else to say, please leave. I have things to discuss with the doctor, and I don't have time to listen to your lectures." For the first time, Victoria talked to him in such an unwelcoming tone. Instead of getting mad, Leon simply stared at her. Victoria's mental defenses started crumbling under his scorching gaze. Clenching the papers, she forced herself to meet his eyes and endured the pressure as if to win the silent battle of wits. "You have one minute to reconsider. I'll let everything go within this one minute, but you'll just be Victoria Smith after that. If you come begging me then, I might not agree to whatever it is you want." She turned to look out the window and silently gave him her answer. Leon didn't linger. Once the one minute was up, he left without another word. He figured she didn't know what was good for her and would only learn her lesson after hitting a dead end. As the door slammed shut, Victoria's heart shuddered. She'd once believed that though her relationship with Leon wasn't dramatic or passionate, it was a long-lasting genuine love. But now she wasn't so sure anymore. Leslie returned before she could sort out her thoughts. Before he could speak, Victoria adjusted herself and said, "Dr. Zane, I'll take these home and think it over before giving you an answer. Would that be okay?" "Of course. But you need to decide soon; preferably ten days before the next billing cycle." Leslie readily agreed. "Got it. Thank you." Victoria grabbed the documents and left the hospital. Her next priority was finding a job. If there was a high salary offer, she could keep her mother, Laura Smith, in the hospital. That hospital was private under Quigley Corporation and offered the best medical equipment and specialists in the country. Leon was the reason Laura had received top-notch care all these years. If she were transferred away, she might not receive the same level of treatment. Laura was the only person in the world who truly loved Victoria. Victoria couldn't afford to have anything happen to her. With these thoughts in mind, Victoria left the hospital and returned home. Along the way, she thought about how to tell Edwin about the divorce. He'd always been intelligent beyond his peers and had a high IQ and EQ. She rarely had to worry about him, but a divorce wasn't a trivial matter for a child. She was worried he might not take it well. But her worries paled in comparison to what Leon did. Just as she got home, she stepped into the house and was met with a nauseating sight. Eva and Leon were sitting on the couch. They were leaning against each other. Eva looked slightly uneasy and asked, "This is still Victoria's home. Is it okay for me to be here?" "It's fine," Leon replied in a deep voice. "But…" Eva bit her lip. "She'll be moving out soon. After that, you'll be the lady of the Quigley family." Eva looked up at him, and their eyes locked in an intimate gaze. They were so engrossed in each other that they didn't even notice Victoria had returned.