Chapter 1A Valentine's Prescription for Divorce

David took me out for steaks and whiskey.

It felt off. David has a sensitive stomach; he’s always adhered to a bland diet. He won’t touch anything spicy, even when I cook it. Since when did he crave heavy, greasy restaurant food?

Seeing my hesitation, he gave a soft chuckle.

"Occasionally, it's good to change things up."

…

* * *

"Welcome, right this way, please."

The hostess was young, clean-cut, with a voice like honey.

David recognized her instantly.

"Amber? What are you doing working here?"

The moment Amber Hartley saw David Sterling, a flash of surprise rushed through her eyes. Then she looked down, fidgeting nervously with the hem of her apron.

"I needed a part-time job to help with tuition."

"Dr. Sterling, what a coincidence. You still love the ribeyes here, I see."

Amber, the new intern at David’s hospital, spoke casually as she deftly set the table.

"Since you brought Mrs. Sterling today, I’ll have the kitchen send out a few complimentary appetizers. On me."

My heart sank.

David didn’t love ribeyes. In fact, he despised restaurant food, viewing it all as unhealthy garbage.

I managed every aspect of his diet and daily life.

As the Chief of Cardiac Surgery, he suffered from ulcers and maintained almost obsessive eating habits. Low sodium, low fat, zero soda—even red meat was restricted to less than twice a week.

But now, he just gave a curt nod. "That’s very kind of you."

Amber insisted on staying to serve us personally.

She held the tongs, expertly flipping the steaks on the sizzling grill.

The grease popped.

Amber carved the ribeye and NY strip, placing the best pieces onto David’s plate, one by one.

"Dr. Sterling, you work so hard in surgery every day, you need the protein. These cuts are the finest on the animal."

Then she glanced at me, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.

David set down his fork, naturally swapping my empty plate with his full one.

He looked at me with an indulgent smile. "Eat up, honey. You look like you’ve lost weight recently."