Chapter 7
At six o'clock sharp, the alarm clock on the bedside table emitted its harsh sound.
Caroline's eyelids fluttered, her biological clock—consistent for seven years—bringing her to instant wakefulness.
She propped herself up, the collar of her nightgown slipping to reveal a pale neck.
By routine, she should already be in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the two children.
After they finished eating, she would drive them to school, then return home to tidy up and prepare Arthur's dinner...
These mundane tasks were programmed into her very being.
But just as she was about to lift the covers and get out of bed, she suddenly remembered the hospital follow-up notification that had appeared on her phone screen last night.
Despite her plans to divorce Arthur, the children were innocent in all this.
Caroline took a deep breath, reached for her phone on the nightstand, and found Arthur's number in her contacts.
The phone rang for a long time before he answered. "Hello, what is it?"
"Arthur, it's me," Caroline's voice was calm. "I have something to attend to today and can't take the children to school. Could you—"
"It's fine, no need—" Before he could finish, a clear, gentle female voice suddenly came through the receiver, "Arthur, how much longer for the fried eggs?"
Caroline's fingers tightened around her phone. That voice was all too familiar. It was Heidi.
There was a rustling sound from the other end, followed by silence, then the sound of a door closing.
Caroline said nothing, just pressed the phone closer to her ear.
Arthur continued, "Since you've decided to live elsewhere, there's no need to go back and forth. Heidi will drop the children at school on her way to the office. It's on her route."
Caroline's lips curved into a bitter smile, but before she could respond, she heard the children's bright cheers through the receiver. "Daddy, are you and Ms. White taking us to school together today?"
It was Logan's voice, filled with childish excitement.
The sound pierced Caroline's heart like needles, causing a dense, spreading pain.
Taking the children to school with Arthur had been her wish ever since they were born.
And Heidi had effortlessly fulfilled it.
She had always believed the children depended on her, needed her.
But now it seemed they were happier without her. With just a few fried eggs, Heidi had easily claimed seven years of Caroline's devotion.
Caroline closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, the turmoil in her eyes had settled into a dead calm.
She spoke flatly into the phone, "Thank you. I appreciate it."
Without waiting for Arthur's response, she hung up.
As the phone screen darkened, Caroline stared at the blackness for a few seconds, then reached out to find the alarm that had faithfully rung at six every morning for seven years, and without hesitation, deleted it.
Seven years. She could finally stop tensing at this hour.
She lay back down, wrapping herself in the blanket.
When she woke again, it was nearly ten o'clock.
Caroline rose slowly, performed a simple morning routine, and changed into a loose-fitting beige coat. Wrapped up tightly, she grabbed her bag and left.
The hospital always carried that mixture of disinfectant and medicine—cold and oppressive.
After registering, Caroline sat on a bench in the waiting area, watching the names scroll on the electronic screen, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the medical record book in her coat pocket.
Three more people ahead of her.
She looked down at her hands. The pads of her fingers had thin calluses, and there was a shallow scar at the base of her thumb—a burn from boiling water that had splashed while making soup for Arthur.
Just then, the name "Heidi White" appeared on the electronic screen.
Caroline's heart contracted sharply, and she instinctively looked up.
Heidi was walking in through the waiting area entrance, arm in arm with Arthur.
She wore a light pink dress with a white cardigan, her long hair flowing smoothly over her shoulders. A faint smile graced her face, and she looked exceptionally healthy.
Arthur, whose lips were usually pressed tightly together, now had a slight upward curve at the corners. His eyes carried a tenderness Caroline had never seen as he lowered his head to speak with Heidi.
Caroline felt a buzzing in her ears, her gaze fixed on them as if nailed in place.
Seven years. She had been married to Arthur for seven years, yet never knew he could look at someone with such gentle eyes, listen to someone so patiently, or smile at someone's laughter.
It wasn't that he couldn't be tender—that tenderness had simply never belonged to her.
She didn't want them to see her, especially not now.
Heidi's examination finished quickly. Arthur continued to hold her waist attentively as they walked toward the exit, chatting and laughing.
Caroline kept her head down until their footsteps completely disappeared down the corridor before finally lifting her head and letting out a long breath.
"Caroline Hamilton." The nurse's voice sounded beside her.
Caroline quickly sniffed, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and stood to follow the nurse into the consultation room.
Heidi was about to exit when she seemed to hear a familiar name behind her and paused slightly.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Arthur immediately asked with concern.
"Didn't my results show I'm perfectly healthy? Don't worry, let's go."
Heidi just smiled slightly, dismissing the familiar name from her thoughts as she continued walking with Arthur.
Caroline's examination went smoothly, but the results were not encouraging.
The doctor looked at the scans, his brow furrowing slightly. "Ms. Hamilton, your condition isn't good. You must rest during this period and avoid overexertion."
He paused, his gaze falling on Caroline's ringed hand resting on the table, and sighed. "Look at your hands. They clearly show years of housework—quite rough. That's the problem with housewives—too much worry, which isn't conducive to recovery."
Caroline's lips twitched, wanting to smile but failing.
The doctor, perhaps feeling he'd spoken too harshly, changed his tone to something more consoling. "You know, the lady who came in before you—her health is excellent, without any issues. Her husband accompanied her, and they looked just like newlyweds, so affectionate."
He seemed to remember something and added, "That lady is clearly a pampered wealthy wife. Her hands are so well-maintained, and her husband treats her wonderfully. You should talk with your spouse when you get home. Don't let yourself become too exhausted."
Caroline laughed bitterly. She wondered what the doctor would think if he knew the man with Heidi was exactly her husband.
When she walked out of the consultation room, the sunlight outside was perfect.
Caroline stood still, looking at her shadow on the ground—thin and solitary.
She slowly raised her hand, examining it. The wedding ring on her right ring finger suddenly seemed foreign to Caroline.
These hands had washed countless shirts for Arthur, prepared countless meals for the children, managed this home for seven years.
Yet in the end, all she received was a comment that her efforts were "not conducive to recovery."
She sighed softly and removed the diamond ring that had imprisoned her youth for seven years, placing it in her bag.