After We Left, My Husband and Father Went Insane

“You’re finally awake, Sabrina!” Ava sat by my side, gripping my hand tightly.

Ever since I had fainted in the restaurant’s private room, I had been unconscious. When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself lying in a hospital bed. Beside me sat Ava and my mother.

“Daughter, you’re finally awake,” my mother said, her voice filled with worry. “If Ava hadn’t gotten you here in time, your life might have been in danger.”

“Sabrina, why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant?” Ava handed me the medical report. “Luckily, the baby is fine, but you scared me.”

I had planned to keep it a secret and surprise everyone. But instead, it had turned into a fright.

“There’s no need anymore,” I said calmly. “Cooper is determined to divorce me. There’s no point in keeping the child.”

The doctor had already bandaged my hand and ankle. When my mother saw my pale face, her eyes welled up with tears.

“It’s all my fault for letting you marry that bastard Cooper,” she cried, clutching me tightly as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Now he dares to abandon his wife and child.”

“He’s made his choice. Since he’s so determined to marry Dixie, I don’t want anything more to do with him either,” I said, trying to soothe her.

It had been so long since I’d last seen her, and now she looked completely worn down. Her face was gaunt, and a clear slap mark stood out on her cheek. After my repeated questioning, she finally broke down and told me the truth.

“The voice you heard was Demi Collins, Gaten’s lover. He’s set on divorcing me. While you weren’t home, he kept giving me the cold shoulder. He flirted with Demi over the phone inside our house, and even brought her over...”

“Demi heard that I owned a pearl necklace worth a fortune and wanted it for her daughter’s wedding. So she came today to take it. That necklace was the most precious gift your grandmother left me. When I refused, Gaten slapped me hard.”

At that moment, my mother’s sobs finally broke free, raw and uncontrollable.

For my sake, she gave up the necklace. From her tearful account, I learned the truth: Demi and Dixie were mother and daughter.

After losing her husband early, Demi began searching for a new partner. By chance, she and my father had been long-time business associates. She knew exactly how to play him; she saw that he loathed business conflict and admired all things artistic.

To my father, my mother had been nothing but a tool for profit, someone he married to secure wealth and shares. Demi, however, was his so-called “soulmate.”

“Sabrina, if your father and I separate, it’ll affect you too. But I’ll manage,” my mother said gently, shifting the conversation. “Your baby will be born soon… I’m truly looking forward to that.”

As I spoke, my eyes lingered on the scar at the back of her neck.

She had never wanted me to worry. Even when Dad beat and belittled her time and again, she chose silence, enduring everything just so I wouldn’t be burdened.

Tears welled up in her eyes, her emotions finally spilling over. After a long pause, she nodded. “In that case, I’ll make things clear with Gaten and reclaim what’s rightfully mine.”

While I was still recovering in the hospital, the attending physician came in to check on me. His gaze landed on my mother’s tired face, and his voice slowed in surprise. “Annie Simmons ? Is that you? You don’t look well.”

My mother turned around, startled.

“Tanner Timberlake? Is it really you?” A faint light returned to her weary expression. “Thanks to you, my daughter’s safe.”

For the first time in days, there was a trace of warmth on her face.

My mother explained everything about Tanner. He had once been her classmate and later her colleague at the hospital. They both studied medicine, and after graduation, Tanner stayed behind, continuing in the same field alongside her. But after marrying my father, my mother gave up that job.

My grandmother had never approved of her becoming a doctor. With her fragile health, she often fainted during her shifts. It was always Tanner who stepped in and helped her avoid serious accidents.

Even after leaving the hospital, my mother remained in touch with her old colleagues. Every year, Tanner never failed to send her New Year’s greetings.

That day, Tanner called her outside. “You haven’t looked well lately. Are you alright?” he asked gently, concern softening his voice.

“It’s just the old illness acting up again. Nothing serious. My daughter, she’s alright, isn’t she?” Her only worry was me. Once he reassured her, she finally eased a little.

“Let’s meet up sometime. It’s been so long.”

“Definitely next time. I’ve got more pressing matters to take care of now.”