THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 746

"Okay," Flavia nodded.

The cleaning process was indeed painful, lasting for nearly ten minutes, but Flavia didn't make a sound. She didn't even flinch. Dr. Tina was astonished. In her three years at the castle, she never would have guessed that the seemingly fragile Mrs. Vance possessed such incredible fortitude. Anyone else would have cried out in pain.

Suppressing her surprise, Dr. Tina felt a new sense of respect for the woman. After cleaning the wound, she bandaged it carefully. "Ma'am, please avoid spicy or cold foods for the next few days."

"I will," Flavia agreed.

"Also, ma'am," Dr. Tina added, packing up her supplies, "you appear to be somewhat malnourished. You should try to incorporate more quality protein into your diet, like eggs, milk, and lean meats."

Flavia smiled faintly. "I've been a vegetarian for twenty years."

"Some people thrive on a vegetarian diet, but others don't," Dr. Tina explained gently. "Given your current condition, it's not suitable for you to continue." Flavia had been in a serious accident years ago and had never fully recovered. Decades of a nutrient-deficient diet had taken their toll. If she didn't make changes soon, her health would collapse entirely.

"It's fine," Flavia said, waving off the concern. She was used to it. Besides, if the Dowager could do it, so could she. She glanced at the old woman on the bed. "Are you sure my mother-in-law is alright?"

"Don't worry, she's fine."

Just then, the door swung open, and a figure strode into the room. It was a woman in a chic white trench coat, her makeup immaculate. This was Quinton's sister, Rosemary Vance.

"Rosemary, you're back."

"Yes," Rosemary said curtly. She went straight to the bed. "Mother, are you okay?"

"Miss Rosemary, the Dowager is fine," Dr. Tina interjected. "She just needs to rest."

Rosemary shot her a sharp look. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Dr. Tina picked up her medical bag. "Mrs. Vance, I'll take my leave now. If you need anything, just send for me."

"I understand," Flavia whispered, and walked towards the hall.

As she pushed open the heavy doors, a beam of sunlight fell across her, warm and inviting. She looked up at the sun, a bitter smile on her lips, then glanced back at Rosemary inside the dark room.

*When will this life ever end?*

The Vance ancestral hall was vast, lined with memorial tablets for generations of ancestors. At the center was a large photograph of Quinton. Flavia stared at his picture, trying desperately to recall something, anything, about their life together. But no matter how hard she tried, her mind was a blank slate. It was as if God had surgically removed that entire period of her life.

Worse still, because of the amnesia, she felt no great love or longing when she looked at his photo. He was a stranger to her. In all these years, she had never once dreamed of him. The only emotion she felt was a crushing, all-consuming guilt. She had killed him. If it weren't for her, the Dowager wouldn't be like this. She was a sinner.

Flavia sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face.

"Quinton," she choked out, her voice raw with pain, "why did you save me? Why did you leave me here to suffer alone?"