Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 289

Meanwhile—

The clinic nurse, as usual, brought Tricia her lunch. She slid open the service hatch and called out to the woman lying on the bed, “Time to eat!”

But the patient didn’t move. No answer.

The nurse called her name twice more.

Still nothing. A flicker of worry crossed the nurse’s face. She hurried to unlock the main door with her key.

If something happened to this patient, she’d be in serious trouble!

She approached the bedside, reached out—and in that instant, Tricia stabbed a syringe into her neck, injecting the contents in one swift motion.

The nurse’s pupils widened. “You—”

She never finished. Within seconds, her body went slack, and she collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

Tricia scrambled off the bed, staggering as she rushed to shut the door. Gasping for breath, she kicked the used syringe into a corner, then quickly stripped the nurse’s uniform and changed into it herself.

When she finished, she dragged the nurse onto the bed, arranging her to look like a patient under the covers.

Staring at her own trembling right hand, Tricia’s eyes blazed with frustration and fury.

She had to get out. No matter what.

…

By midday, Charlotte had assisted in two surgeries—nothing too major, just supporting roles. The last procedure didn’t wrap up until nearly half past two.

The lead surgeon this time was Professor Grant, a respected figure who hadn’t picked up a scalpel in years. Charlotte had never met him before today.

If it weren’t for the patient—a challenging case, an eight-year-old with a brain infection caused by parasites—Professor Grant probably wouldn’t have come out of retirement.

“I hear you studied under Old Mr. Carstairs,” Professor Grant remarked once they finished scrubbing out. “You’ve made it to lead surgeon at such a young age. That’s impressive.”

“You’re always singing his praises in front of me, aren’t you?”

“Please, would you say that to his face?”

“No way—I’m not looking for trouble. But I’ll say it here if I want.”

The two of them went back and forth, bantering as always—their bickering had practically become an office routine.

Charlotte just shook her head and smiled helplessly. Then her phone rang: an unknown number.

She hesitated, then stepped out into the hallway to answer.

A familiar voice came through. “Charlotte, it’s me.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened in surprise. “Vera?”

“Yes. I kept the number you gave me. You told me to call when I was ready. I think…I’m ready now.”