Part 2Putting My Wife on Trial

Seeing that my expression remained a cold mask, the director’s patience finally wore thin.

"Mr. Hayes," he said, his tone scolding, "you have no evidence. What right do you have to suspect an affair?"

The others chimed in, their voices a chorus of condemnation.

But then, Elena raised a hand, cutting them off. "That's enough. This is my family's business. It's not your place to interfere."

They all stared, stunned. They couldn't believe she was still defending me.

Her assistant stomped his foot in frustration. "Dr. Hayes, what are you doing? He's the one being unreasonable! We're on your side!"

"I said, leave." Elena's gaze swept over them, her voice now hard and unyielding. "He is my husband. No one else gets a say."

There was nothing more they could do. Fuming, they left.

Elena let out a sigh of relief and turned to me, her voice soft again. "Steve, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have given blood to Leo without talking to you first. I promise, I'll never speak to him again. As long as you don't divorce me, you can punish me however you want. Hit me, scream at me, I'll take it."

I turned away, deliberately avoiding her eyes. "Do you remember my first year at the lab? Leo spilled diluted acid on my hand during an experiment. You were so worried. You said you'd never let him near me again." I paused. "Now you're saving his life. Tell me, shouldn't I want a divorce?"

The color drained from her face. Her eyes darted around the room as she stammered, "I… I remember now. But it was an emergency, I forgot. I promise, Steve, I will keep my distance from him."

Just then, my phone rang.

"Hello? I'll be right down."

Downstairs, my friend was waiting in his car. He handed me a package from the passenger seat. I took it, and tears immediately welled in my eyes.

A few minutes later, after I'd wiped my face, I saw the director's car pull back up. The door flew open, and the assistant grabbed my arm, his voice frantic.

"Mr. Hayes, come with us! Quickly! Dr. Hayes collapsed from blood loss!"

When I didn't move, his panic turned to anger. "You left the door open when you left! A neighbor saw her on the floor and called an ambulance! She's in the emergency room right now! You have to go see her!"

The director stepped forward, his tone pleading. "Steve, please. She just gave blood. Her body is weak. This could be serious."

A cold smile touched my lips. "If I go to the hospital, the only thing I'll be talking about is the divorce. Aren't you afraid I'll just push her over the edge?"

The director was speechless with rage, pointing a trembling finger at me. He gave the assistant a look, and together, they practically dragged me into the car.

We had just reached her hospital room when a nurse came rushing out. "Who is Steve Hayes? The patient in the next room, Mr. White, is awake and is demanding to see an Steve Hayes."

The assistant pointed at me, and the nurse grabbed my arm, pulling me into the room.

Leo White sat up in bed, his face pale, an IV line in his arm. The moment he saw me, his expression grew urgent.