---- with my head and getting in the way of my work." I threw her own words back at her. Alice's face went white. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. She just gazed at me, stunned. I turned on my heel, stormed into the guest room, and slammed the door shut. The next morning, Alice was already off to work. Ihad my lawyer drop off the divorce papers. Isigned them, left them on the coffee table, and walked out with my bags packed. I had not wasted a moment during my three-day hospital stay; I had sorted everything out. That afternoon, my plane touched down. I powered up my phone to a barrage of missed calls from Alice. I did not call back. Instead, I texted her. [Sign the divorce papers, let's end this amicably.] (If you don't sign, I'll have my lawyer push for a divorce.] ---- Back at the branch office, I dove into work, all business. Two days later, Alice showed up in Greenwood. She came bearing a huge bunch of roses and hada couple of people with her, holding up a banner that read, 'Dear Richard, please forgive me.' She stood her ground outside the company, despite the security guards' efforts to shoo her away. Ihad warned my staff during a meeting: anyone who Jet her in would be out of a job. Thus, they avoided her like the plague. Alice was relentless, camping out at the building's entrance day and night. However, on the third day, when the Greenwood chill set in, Alice could not take it anymore. She collapsed. Security rushed her to the hospital. When she came to, her first move was to call the cops onme. Standing before the officer, I clutched the divorce ---- papers, my face a mask of detached indifference. " Sign it, and let's end this cleanly." Alice, perched weakly on the edge of her hospital bed, shook her head in a daze. "I won't sign, my love. I've ended things with Yoel, and told him to stop looking for me. We're not in touch anymore, please... can't you forgive me?" I was well aware she had cut Yoel off. He had been. bombarding me with messages, unhinged, cursing meat all hours. (Richard, did you make Alice leave me?] (So, fate hit you with stomach cancer?] (Wow, you're craftier than I thought, playing the long game to get Alice back. I underestimated you.] His rants were met with my calm response that read, [ Frankly, I'd be thrilled if you two were stuck with each other for good. If you can get her to sign the divorce, you'd have my thanks. ] A week later, Jack rang me up. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!