Chapter 9

Mabel was taken to the hospital by the jewelry store staff—coincidentally, the very hospital where she once worked. Her leg injury led her to the orthopedics department, just like Wesley in the past, where she encountered her former mentor, Dr. Frank Fowell. After bandaging her wounds, Frank asked gently, "How are you feeling? Still in pain? "Where's your husband? Shouldn't he be here with you while you're hospitalized?" Mabel forced a smile. "It's fine, Dr. Fowell. I can take care of myself." Frank immediately understood. Marrying into wealth might sound glamorous, but the hidden suffering was known only to those who endured it. He patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry. If things don't work out, you can always come back to the hospital. You'll always have a place here." Warmth spread through Mabel's chest. "Thank you, Dr. Fowell. I've been away from medicine for too long, but once I've brushed up on my skills, I'll definitely return!" Frank nodded approvingly. "That's the right attitude! As doctors, we must always strive to improve. "By the way, did you know? The illness your mother had—there's a treatment for it now. "What a shame. If she could've held on a few more years, you wouldn't be alone today." Mabel froze, taking a long moment to process his words. "Dr. Fowell… are you saying that back then, with the medical conditions at the time, my mother's illness… was untreatable?" "Of course. Didn't I tell you? From onset to death, it would've taken no more than three months. "Ah—wait, no. I didn't tell you. I told another woman who said she was family. She was worried you wouldn't take it well and wanted to break the news to you gently." A deafening "buzz" exploded in Mabel's mind. She had no other relatives. The woman who had appeared at the hospital back then could only have been Pearl. Pearl had known all along that her mother's illness was incurable—yet she still offered her five million dollars for treatment, binding Mabel to Wesley's side. Her mother's death had been inevitable in Pearl's eyes. And Mabel, grateful for Pearl's "help" in her darkest hour, had chosen to stay with Wesley. Pearl had sacrificed Mabel's three best years just to motivate her son. She had given her heart and soul—only to end up like this. Ignoring Frank's shocked expression, Mabel covered her face and broke into heart-wrenching sobs. "Three years... What a joke these three years have been! I was so stupid, so unbelievably stupid!" She began hitting herself frantically, startling Frank, who eventually had to administer a sedative to calm her down. When Mabel woke up, she was eerily calm—like a puppet with its strings cut. Dragging her injured leg, she then went through the discharge procedures. As she turned to leave, she spotted Wesley in the hospital hallway, carefully supporting Anais with tender concern. Mabel walked past them without a glance, but Wesley suddenly grabbed her shoulder. "How can you walk past Annie without a word? Mabel, apologize to her!" Facing his furious demand, Mabel shook her head calmly. "I didn't push her. I won't apologize." Anais immediately burst into tears. "Wes, don't blame Ms. Myers! Maybe it wasn't on purpose!" Wesley shoved Mabel against the wall, his eyes blazing with anger. Through gritted teeth, he warned her, "Mabel, if you don't apologize to Annie, don't even think about coming home! "You're being so unreasonable. Let's see how long it takes for a homeless woman like you to come to your senses!" A bitter smile tugged at Mabel's lips. So Wesley knew she was homeless. But did he realize he was the reason? This time, she didn't cry weakly. Instead, her eyes burned with pure, unbridled hatred. Wesley froze, feeling somewhat stunned as he had never seen Mabel like this. Seizing his hesitation, she shoved him away and limped out of the hospital. Battered and bruised, she dragged herself to the airport and left the city for good. Before departing, she mailed Wesley his copy of the divorce certificate. Staring at the name she had once whispered countless times, she thought only one thing. "Wesley, this is goodbye forever."