Chapter 622 Taylor: Samuel, Let's Get a Divorce 3
Samuel frowned. "Taylor!"
Taylor let out a cold laugh that gradually faded as she looked at Samuel like he was an unreasonable stranger.
"Please address me as Dr. Montague. And Mr. Collins, I suggest you remember your place. In the Montague Group hospital, you're nothing more than a patient's family member—and not even a legitimate one at that. If her biological father showed up, he could rightfully call you the other man."
Samuel was stung into blurting out, "Zenobia is divorced."
The words hung in the air, and the office fell into a deathly silence.
After a long moment, Taylor spoke quietly, "Well then, I'd be happy to help you both out. Let's file for divorce this afternoon. Not only will I make way for you two, but I'll also treat the child."
She was willing. Samuel wasn't.
He genuinely felt for Zenobia and Thalassa, but he wasn't crazy enough to end his marriage for them.
More importantly, he wasn't sure what tricks Taylor might pull after a divorce—she could potentially destroy his reputation, tank SamZen Tech's stock price, and ruin everything he'd worked for his entire life.
He wasn't willing to gamble on that.
As the two faced off, two security guards appeared at the door, knocking. "Dr. Montague, are there any unauthorized personnel who need to be escorted out?"
Taylor continued eating, her voice flat. "Please escort Mr. Collins out."
The two guards looked over.
Holy hell!
It was Samuel himself.
The guards shifted uncomfortably, addressing Samuel with forced politeness. "Mr. Collins, this puts us in an awkward position, but we do have to follow Dr. Montague's orders."
Samuel stared at Taylor. "Are you really not going to consider our marriage at all?"
Taylor set down her fork, looking at the food on her plate as she asked quietly, "Our marriage? Samuel, you're never home for more than two months at a time. What marriage do we even have left? Besides, that child was transferred from another hospital—the Montague Group has no obligation to take her. I'm not even opposing it, am I?"
Samuel's expression grew cold. "I never realized you were this heartless."
The moment he finished speaking, Taylor hurled her lunch tray at him, food and all. Samuel's pristine suit was instantly splattered with a rainbow of colors, leaving him looking utterly disheveled.
The guards wanted to laugh but didn't dare, barely containing themselves.
Samuel quickly stripped off his jacket, glaring at Taylor. Her expression was even colder than his as she told him to get lost. Unable to stand the mess covering him, Samuel was promptly escorted out by security.
After Samuel left, Taylor remained seated in the same spot. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, bathing her in golden light, but it brought no warmth. A wave of desolation washed over her.
She no longer loved Samuel, but this marriage had left her exhausted.
Samuel refused to divorce, and now he'd brought his former lover to parade around the Montague Group hospital. Soon the entire hospital would be buzzing with gossip. Samuel only saw Zenobia as pitiable, but he never considered Taylor's position. She was a hospital director, not a janitor hired to clean up his romantic messes.
At the door, she heard the soft sound of it opening.
It was her secretary, Molly Walker.
Molly entered to find chaos on the floor and Taylor looking utterly drained. She'd never seen Taylor wear such an expression and couldn't help feeling sorry for her.
As she cleaned up, she said considerately, "Let me have another lunch sent up. You performed surgery for four hours this morning—a few bites won't sustain you."
Taylor sighed softly. "Sorry for the trouble. I don't have much appetite."
Molly didn't push.
After cleaning the office, she retrieved some snacks from her desk drawer for Taylor to nibble on. This time Taylor didn't refuse—she had two patient consultations that afternoon.
Samuel changed clothes and headed to the VIP ward in the inpatient department.
The Montague Group hospital staff all recognized him. Samuel was Taylor's husband, yet here he was with another woman and child. The nurses were all speculating that Thalassa was Samuel's illegitimate daughter, just unable to acknowledge her publicly due to his position.
And that woman Zenobia was clearly putting on an act—the moment she saw Samuel, she became this helpless, fragile creature. Any man would eat that up.
Samuel ignored the stares and approached Zenobia, guilt written across his face.
Zenobia immediately understood that Taylor had refused. She said softly, "She won't take Thalassa, will she? Samuel, I told you she hates me. How could someone with such hatred in her heart save Thalassa? Forget it. We should keep our distance from now on. I really don't want to hurt an innocent woman. Even if she's cruel to Thalassa, I don't blame her. I really don't."
Zenobia's face was the picture of sincerity—what man could resist that?
Samuel gently pulled Zenobia into his arms, offering comfort. But Zenobia kept crying, and Thalassa hugged his leg, softly calling him Mr. Collins.
In that moment, Samuel felt a surge of hatred toward Taylor. He thought she was heartless—a doctor who would refuse to save a life.
Samuel's voice was hoarse. "She's demanding a divorce before she'll treat Thalassa."
Zenobia froze.
Then she could barely contain her joy. She'd assumed a man like Samuel would be someone Taylor would cling to desperately, never imagining she'd want a divorce.
Zenobia composed herself and said carefully to Samuel, "Samuel, for Thalassa's sake, what if you went through with a fake divorce with Dr. Montague? After Thalassa recovers, you could win Dr. Montague back. I think if you showed real sincerity, she'd definitely reconcile with you."
Zenobia looked utterly defeated. "Samuel, I'm out of options."
Samuel was stunned.
Before today, he'd never considered divorcing Taylor for Zenobia's sake. He'd always thought that if he and Taylor couldn't make it work, it would be between them as husband and wife—no one else would be involved. But now was he really going to divorce Taylor for Thalassa?
Deep down, he knew there was no such thing as a "fake divorce." Given the Montague family's status and Taylor's personality, once those papers were signed, he'd lose her forever.
If he was honest with himself, he and Taylor had shared some good years together, but they'd both been too busy with work to have children. Now they were both getting older.
Though Samuel didn't agree, Zenobia could see his resolve wavering.
That evening, Samuel prepared to leave.
Thalassa clung to him reluctantly, calling "Mr. Collins" several times in her sweet voice, each word making Samuel's eyes well up. He genuinely cared for Thalassa—every time her heart troubled her, he'd lie awake all night.
Over time, he'd developed the illusion that this child was actually his own daughter.
But this was the Montague Group hospital, and Samuel still needed to maintain appearances.
As he left, Zenobia grabbed her purse and followed.
Her gentle face brightened as she said softly to Samuel, "I was just going to the market to buy some ingredients to make a nourishing soup for Thalassa. Samuel, let me walk you out."
No man could refuse such consideration from a former lover.
Samuel was no exception.
At dusk, the setting sun painted the sky gold.
The sunset bathed half the city in brilliant orange, a magnificent sight.
Samuel and Zenobia walked side by side, quietly discussing Thalassa's condition and treatment plan.
Samuel gently assured Zenobia not to worry, saying he'd arrange everything. Zenobia responded with a tender smile.
Just then, a street sweeper truck passed by, and Samuel quickly pulled Zenobia aside.
Zenobia tumbled into his arms.
Though accidental, the solid embrace of a man and woman stirred memories of the past—they had been intimate before. The warm contact in the romantic twilight added an undeniable tension to the moment.
"Samuel." Zenobia's voice was soft and breathy, like a lover's whisper.
Samuel looked down, his Adam's apple bobbing as he struggled for control. Just as he was about to push Zenobia away, he caught sight of Taylor's car in his peripheral vision.
Taylor drove a white Bentley.
She sat inside waiting at a red light, her long hair down instead of in her usual professional style. She was looking down at the diamond wedding ring on her finger—the one Samuel had placed there himself on their wedding day. In Taylor's gaze was a trace of longing.
That longing proved she had once loved Samuel.
Samuel's heart lurched as if he'd been caught doing something shameful. He quickly pushed Zenobia away.
Fortunately, the light turned green and Taylor drove off without seeing Samuel and Zenobia's embrace.
Samuel breathed a sigh of relief.
Only then did he realize his back was drenched in cold sweat.
Zenobia was naturally hurt by being pushed away. She'd seen Taylor too and, fearing Samuel might hesitate about the divorce, put on a wounded expression. "Samuel, you must really love her."
Samuel didn't want to discuss his marital privacy with Zenobia.
He remained silent.
Not wanting to let him go, Zenobia asked him to accompany her to the market to pick out ingredients. She said Thalassa loved Samuel's creamy mushroom soup—just a little would ease her pain every time.
Samuel's heart melted.
But he never expected to run into Taylor at the market—along with an unexpected man.