Part 3The Surgeon's Final Cut，Walking Away from the Billionaire

His threat was clear as day.

This time, I was done enduring it. "Get out."

"Natalie," he snapped, scowling darkly. "Do you really want to burn every bridge?"

"Yes."

"Fine. Have it your way."

He gave me a chilling grin, grabbed Chloe's hand, and walked out.

I knew Tristan was petty enough to retaliate, but I never imagined he could be this vile.

By noon the next day, intimate photos of me were blasted across the hospital's main WhatsApp group, accompanied by a caption: "One hundred bucks a pop."

In a single instant, I became the hospital's biggest joke.

Colleagues who had long envied my rapid promotions and surgical skills pounced on the opportunity, reporting me to the board: [We suspect Dr. Hall of engaging in sexual favors for administrative advancement.]

Cracking under public scrutiny, the hospital board launched a so-called "internal review," which was nothing more than a formal setup to pin the blame on me.

In the end, my medical license was suspended and I was fired.

The vice president of surgery, who was rumored to be my alleged partner, publicly turned around and claimed I had coerced him.

Shaking with fury, I confronted him, asking why he would frame me like this.

Instead, he looked at me with disgust. "You have the nerve to ask me, Natalie? What sick game are you and your husband playing? My wife doesn't believe a word I say and wants a divorce! Get away from me!"

Listening to his accusations, I trembled from head to foot.

I knew Tristan had pulled the strings, but I hadn't realized he would go so far as to destroy my entire career just to vent Chloe's frustration.

He had personally stepped in to make sure my reputation was dragged through the mud.

True love, wasn't it?

He used to fight like that for me.

Thankfully, my lawyer called later that afternoon with good news: our divorce decree was finalized.

Once those papers were in my hands, Tristan Hayes would be nothing to me.

Terrified that my parents would catch wind of the scandal online, I rushed to the care facility to check on them.

When I arrived, I saw them being escorted out the front gates, their belongings packed into battered suitcases.

They hadn't made a scene. They had simply taken their things and walked out in silence.

Hiding behind a pillar, I heard my father's heavy sigh.

"Our girl is at the end of her rope with Tristan. We can't let ourselves be a burden to her."

My mother nodded silently. "I know."

The two of them, their backs hunched with age and worry, shuffled down the sidewalk.

Following them from a distance, I pulled out my phone and dialed my mother.

I choked back my sobs while they pretended everything was fine.

Just as I was about to hang up, my mother asked tentatively, "Sweetie, you and Tristan..."

"We're divorcing, Mom," I said, tears spilling over. "The papers are signed. I've already booked your flights. Can you..."

"We'll leave right now," she answered without hesitation.

Without another word, I sent them the flight details.

Watching their taxi disappear down the street, a massive weight lifted off my chest.

Given Tristan's obsession with Chloe, there was no telling what he might do to my parents next.

Getting them far away was the only safe option.

That evening, instead of heading to the hospital apartment, I returned to our marital home.

All my personal belongings were still there.

When I pushed open the front door, I froze.

Chloe and Evelyn were sitting in the living room.

Evelyn's face instantly hardened. "You already took my money, and you're still clinging to my son?"

"I'm here for my things."

Ignoring her, I marched upstairs to pack.

They followed me like prison guards, watching my every move.

When I reached for my skincare bottles on the vanity, Chloe smirked. "Ms. Hall, didn't Mr. Hayes pay for all of this?"

I ignored her, but with every item I packed, another snide comment followed.

Finally, I spun around. "And whose money are you spending right now? The ink on our divorce papers isn't even dry yet. Legally, every penny Tristan has spent on you is marital property—and I have the right to claw it all back."

"You..." Chloe stomped her foot in fury.

Then, without warning, she threw herself onto the floor.

"Ms. Hall, I only offered to let you stay a few more days! Why did you push me? Do you really hate me that much?"

"Natalie!"