My Husband Betrayed The War Zone Surgeon Who Saved Him Chapter 02
Nothing More Than an Arrangement
I met Lily Monroe when we were children.
My mother used to fund scholarships for students from families who couldn’t afford private schools, college applications, or medical care.
Lily was one of them.
Back then, she promised my mother she’d grow up and help people too.
My mother died before she could see what Lily became.
So did the girl I remembered.
Two days after Ethan warns me not to touch his mistress, I attend his grandfather’s birthday dinner.
Not for Ethan.
For Arthur Sinclair.
He has treated me with more genuine kindness in three years than most of my own family managed in twenty.
The Sinclair estate is full by the time I arrive.
One of Ethan’s friends sees me.
“Evelyn.”
He grins.
“Finally. Ethan’s been looking at the door all night.”
Someone else laughs.
“You’d think the man actually liked his wife.”
A few people glance toward Ethan.
He’s standing across the room in a black suit, listening to his grandfather speak.
Our eyes meet.
For one second, something shifts in his expression.
Then I look away.
Later, a server spills wine across my dress.
I excuse myself upstairs to change.
When I step back into the hall, voices drift through a half-open door.
I recognize one immediately.
“Does Evelyn know about Lily?”
My hand stills on the fabric at my waist.
Another man answers.
“She does.”
“Damn.”
“Did she lose it?”
“No.”
A low whistle.
“That almost sounds worse.”
Then someone asks,
“Ethan, what happens if she tells you to cut Lily off?”
I don’t move.
Ethan answers at last.
“Lily has never asked me for a title.”
My fingers curl.
“If Evelyn is smart, she’ll understand the difference.”
Someone laughs quietly.
“I thought you were actually into your wife.”
“You remember how obsessed you were with everything she did after the wedding?”
Ethan’s voice is calm.
“It was an arranged marriage.”
“Nothing more.”
Another voice cuts in.
“Lily makes more sense anyway.”
“She actually understands him.”
“She volunteered in a conflict region.”
“Ethan spent years working in war zones.”
“That’s the kind of thing that changes you.”
Someone scoffs.
“Evelyn grew up rich enough that someone probably opened doors for her before she touched the handle.”
They have no idea.
No one in this world does.
My father told everyone I spent those years abroad studying.
It was easier than explaining why his daughter had chosen field hospitals over charity galas.
Another man says,
“Lily gets the part of Ethan the rest of us don’t.”
“Same scars. Same worldview.”
“That’s not something money can buy.”
A chair moves.
Then a different voice says sharply,
“Watch your mouth.”
I recognize Ethan.
The room quiets.
“You can say whatever you want about me.”
“But Evelyn is still my wife.”
“Don’t disrespect her.”
I close my eyes.
Once, that would’ve meant something to me.
Now I understand.
He isn’t defending me because he loves me.
He’s defending what belongs to him.
I leave before anyone opens the door.
I say goodbye to Arthur.
He holds my hand.
“You work too much.”
“I know.”
“Take care of yourself.”
Something in my throat tightens.
“I will.”
For once, I mean it.
When I get home, I go straight to my bedroom.
Open the bottom drawer.
Pull out the papers I’ve kept there since before the wedding.
Divorce agreement.
My lawyer prepared it three years ago.
Back when I still believed I might need an escape route.
I sit at the desk.
Turn to the last page.
And sign.
Evelyn Hartwell.
Then I open my laptop.
A saved application waits on the screen.
INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN MEDICAL DEPLOYMENT
REAPPLICATION FORM
I stare at it for a long time.
Three years ago, I left a war zone and became Ethan Sinclair’s wife.
Tonight, I click Submit.