Chapter 44 The Divorce Papers Are Already Signed
After Gabriel dealt with the hospital executives, he closed his eyes to rest.
The doctor had said he needed to be hospitalized, and he'd initially wanted to refuse. This chronic stomach issue of his—some medication would do the trick. Hospitalization was so dramatic and unnecessary; word getting out would be embarrassing.
But just as he was about to decline, his eyes caught sight of a familiar figure entering the emergency room. His thoughts shifted, and he nodded in agreement.
Arabella reluctantly approached the hospital bed. Seeing his face still pale, lying there with furrowed brows and an IV drip already attached to the back of his hand, she pursed her lips and hesitantly asked, "How are you feeling? Any better?"
Gabriel pressed his lips together, remaining silent. He didn't even glance at her, turning his head away instead.
Arabella felt rebuffed, not understanding what this childish, ridiculous behavior was supposed to accomplish.
Samuel quickly completed the admission paperwork, so Arabella had no choice but to follow along with the medical staff as they transferred Gabriel to his room.
It was getting late, and she was worried about the two children at home. Plus, she still hadn't eaten dinner and was famished.
She needed to handle things at the hospital quickly so she could leave soon.
After the nurse settled everything, she mustered courage once more and approached, "What would you like to eat? The doctor said your stomach pain was from hunger. You need to maintain a regular, bland diet these days to recover properly. What would you like? I'll go get it."
Hearing her considerate tone and gentle voice, Gabriel finally deigned to acknowledge her. He turned his head to look at her and said, "My stomach pain was caused by your anger. I fainted because you pushed me. Don't try to shirk responsibility."
Arabella's eyes widened in disbelief, staring at him speechlessly!
So this was why he'd been giving her the cold shoulder all along!
How ridiculous!
She pressed her lips together, struggling to find the right words, before angrily and indignantly defending herself, "How... how did I make you angry? You're the one whose behavior was inappropriate, creating all these scandals and turning everything upside down. I'm a victim too! Yet you're shifting blame onto me. You're simply..."
She was so furious her brain short-circuited, and she couldn't find words to describe this bastard!
Gabriel said unhurriedly, "Just talking about tonight's incident—isn't it your responsibility? Why bring up other things?"
"You..." Arabella was left speechless.
No! She couldn't stay any longer, or she feared losing her rationality and rushing forward to smother him with a pillow.
Wasting her entire life on such an irresponsible scumbag who blamed others for everything wasn't worth it!
"Fine! Whatever you say. Say whatever you want—I can't stop you from talking anyway!" Laughing bitterly in her fury, she quickly regained her composure, nodding with an angry tone as she gave up completely.
Without waiting for the man's response, she turned and walked away.
Gabriel called out urgently, "Where are you going?"
"None of your business!"
"Arabella, we're not divorced yet! Your husband is hospitalized—shouldn't you, as his wife, be here taking care of him?"
The woman who had already grasped the door handle turned back around and stated bluntly, "I've already signed the divorce papers. I was planning to give them to you tonight, but then you—never mind. I'll bring them tomorrow, and you can sign them immediately!"
Before her words had even faded, she heard a disapproving voice behind her, "Hasn't Gabriel been good enough to you? You've tormented him to the point of hospitalization, and you're still demanding a divorce!"
Arabella whipped around to see Joanna and her husband hurrying over.
Their eyes met, and Joanna shot her a vicious glare before rudely pushing past the door and brushing by her.
"Gabriel... what's wrong with you? They said you collapsed—you nearly scared me to death!" One second, Joanna had been scolding Arabella, the next she was at Gabriel's side, instantly transformed into a worried, gentle mother.
James Sterling remained standing by the hospital room door.
Withdrawing his gaze from Gabriel, he looked at Arabella in front of him and, after a moment's consideration, nodded slightly, "Arabella, come outside with me for a moment."
Arabella's heart trembled. Facing the Sterling family's male patriarch, she instinctively felt nervous and flustered.
In the two years since marrying into the family, she'd had very little interaction with James.
She only knew he had heart problems and diabetes. After major cardiac surgery several years ago, he'd focused primarily on recovery, stepping back from active company management and only offering opinions on major issues.
James walked a few steps away before stopping and turning around.
Arabella also stopped, her nerves gradually tightening.
"Arabella, I want to know—why do you want to divorce Gabriel?" James's tone was calm, but the dignity accumulated over the years made his presence commanding.
Arabella's heart shrank into a tight ball, and she didn't even dare meet his eyes directly.
After several seconds of silence, she told the truth, "I come from humble origins and was never a good match for the Sterling family. It was Mr. William who, feeling sorry for me being alone in the world, arranged for me to marry into the Sterling family. Such social climbing has always made me feel uneasy."
"Furthermore, Gabriel has someone he loves. Forcing him to spend his life with someone he doesn't love is torment in itself. His unhappiness in this marriage only increases my anxiety."
"When we married, we agreed it was just to fulfill William's wishes and give him peace of mind during his illness. Now that he's gone, there's no need for us to remain tied together, making everyone miserable."
James listened to her methodical explanation and nodded, showing understanding.
Mainly because everything she said was true.
They were completely from different worlds—neither could truly integrate into the other's social circle or class. Forcing them together was indeed torture for both parties.
"I understand your concerns, but the problem is, you now have children. Two children who are still so young—can you really bear to leave them?"
"I..." At the mention of Henny and Isabella, Arabella's eyes immediately moistened. She quietly took a breath to force back the tears, and when she spoke again, her voice was hoarse, "I can't bear to... but there's no choice. I can't provide them with a good life. Besides, even if I had the capability, Gabriel would never give me Henny and Isabella. There's no point in pointless confrontation."
James looked up at her, surprise evident in his expression.
He hadn't expected her to think so rationally and long-term, without the narrow-minded pettiness typical of some women.
After a brief silence between them, James considered for a moment and said, "Marriage isn't a joke. I still hope you'll think this through carefully. Over the past two years, Gabriel has indeed wronged you. That you're hurt and disappointed, wanting a divorce—this is all understandable. But you have children, two of them, which makes divorce far from simple."
"Of course, if you're determined, his mother and I won't make things difficult for you. We just hope you can handle this calmly and part amicably. After all, with children involved, you'll never be able to completely sever ties. If you destroy each other, when the children grow up, they'll be caught in the middle between their parents."
Arabella felt deeply moved.
In all her time with the Sterling family, this was the first time since William's passing that she'd felt genuine warmth from the Sterlings.
She'd never realized before that Gabriel's father was so reasonable and approachable.
As long as everyone considered things from the children's perspective, the divorce wouldn't become too ugly, and it could provide maximum protection for both children.
"Yes, thank you. I'll have a good talk with him." Arabella had wanted to call him "Dad," but thinking about the impending divorce, calling him that seemed somewhat ironic, so she simply bowed respectfully.
James waved his hand, indicating she needn't be so formal, then added, "You haven't eaten dinner yet, have you? Go home. Someone will take care of him at the hospital—don't worry."
"Alright, I'll... I'll come by tomorrow." Since they were aiming for an amicable separation, with her husband hospitalized, she, as his wife, should certainly come to care for and visit him.
James nodded, watching her leave before turning to enter the room.
Gabriel stared hopefully at the doorway, but seeing only James enter alone, his brow furrowed, "Where is she?"