THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 831

In that moment, the noise of the banquet hall faded into nothingness for Carey.

She sat on the floor, staring at the young woman before her, almost completely unresponsive.

It was the first time she had ever seen Caitlin, yet her eyes, her features—everything felt so familiar, as if she had seen this child countless times before.

It was a feeling she couldn't quite explain.

A storm surged within Carey's heart. Her eyes reddened instantly, and her lips began to tremble.

She wanted to cry. Desperately.

She couldn't control it. She didn't even understand why her emotions were in such turmoil.

It was just a profound, inexplicable sadness.

As their eyes met, Caitlin froze, taking in Carey's face.

Was... Was this Carey? Her mother, Carey?

Caitlin had known she would uncover something by coming to Vance Castle tonight. The identity of Mrs. Vance, Flavia Cartwright, was shrouded in too much mystery.

But she never expected to find Carey here.

They had searched for so long, combing through every database in Eldermere. They had even begun to brace themselves for the possibility that her mother was no longer alive.

And now, here she was, alive and real, right in front of her.

Words couldn't describe the whirlwind of emotions Caitlin felt. Her eyes welled up with tears. Without even stopping to question how Carey could be here, a wave of grief washed over her. She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Carey, her voice choked with emotion. "Mom... Mom... I finally found you... It's been twenty years. Grandma, Dad, and everyone... they've all been waiting for you to come home. We've all been waiting for you..."

Caitlin fought to keep her voice down, trying not to draw attention from the partygoers, but tears streamed uncontrollably down her face. Fortunately, they were in a corner near the exit, a blind spot from the main hall.

"Mom? This girl is calling me Mom..."

As Caitlin held her, a sharp, splitting pain shot through Carey's head, making it almost impossible to breathe. Tears fell like broken pearls from her own eyes, but her mind was a complete blank.

It was as if her memories had been stolen.

The harder she tried to remember, the more her head ached.

"Young lady, I... I think you have the wrong person." After a long moment, Carey finally managed to speak, taking a deep breath and looking up at Caitlin, her voice hoarse. "I... I don't have a daughter..."

Even though she felt an inexplicable, deep connection to Caitlin, she couldn't recall a single memory of her. It had to be a mistake.

Caitlin shook her head firmly. "I haven't made a mistake. You are my mom! You're my mother, Carey."

Dowager Vance was right. She was just an orphan, with no parents to speak of. After marrying Quinton, she had brought him nothing but death. How could she possibly deserve such a beautiful, young daughter?

She wasn't worthy.

"Listen to me. You are not Flavia Cartwright. Your name is Carey!" Caitlin squeezed Carey's hand. "I am your daughter. My name is Freya!"

"Freya?" The name slipped from Carey's lips before she could stop it.

Caitlin nodded instantly, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks. "Yes, yes! I'm Freya! Mom, it's me, Freya!"

Carey's expression remained blank. Calling Caitlin 'Freya' hadn't been a conscious memory, but a gut reaction.

Caitlin pulled Carey to her feet and wiped her own tears away. "Mom, this isn't the place to talk. Come with me. I'm getting you out of here."

Caitlin had medical training. She could tell just by looking at Carey that she was suffering from trauma-induced amnesia. The Vance family had held her captive for years. The most urgent task now was to get her away from this predatory place.

This was Vance territory, after all. On their home turf, a direct confrontation was impossible. She would settle her score with the Vance family later, piece by piece.

"Okay."

Carey nodded. She didn't understand what was happening to her, but she found herself unable to refuse the young woman. As Caitlin led her away, she followed without question. Though they had just met, she didn't doubt for a second that Caitlin meant her harm.