Chapter 17
Just then, Corbin ended his call and stepped out. He still looked
tall and elegant–the same refined man she remembered.
“What are you looking at?” Cecily asked curiously.
“Nothing,” she said.
As Cecily drove out of the underground parking lot, sunlight
streamed through the windshield. Clarinda smiled lightly,
“What beautiful weather.“”
“It really is,” Cecily agreed. “We haven’t seen the sun in days.”
No one could resist the warmth of a winter sun. Gripping the
wheel, Cecily glanced at Clarinda and arched an eyebrow.
“You’ve never been this happy when we traveled abroad before.
What’s different this time?”
“Ceci,” Clarinda said, rolling down the window. She slid the
wedding ring off her finger and tossed it out. “This time is
different”
Before going abroad this time, she was Corbin’s wife–his cover,
his fig leaf.
Chapter 17
But when she returned, she’d be no one but herself.
She’d be Clarinda Whitaker–only and utterly herself.
Clarinda walked up to the boarding gate and spotted Rudolf.
Dressed casually but sharp, he stood tall and lean, his features
striking.
He was also searching for her, and their eyes met head–on.
Even after all these years, seeing Clarinda bare–faced still
startled him with her beauty. He strode over and took her
backpack from her shoulder.
Then his gaze swept once more across her small face, his
professional instincts kicking in. “You haven’t been sleeping
well at the hospital these last couple of days, have you?”
“A little.”
A few days ago, a new patient had been admitted to the ward,
an older woman.
She was lovely company, except her snoring was thunderous.
It wasn’t until Clarinda boarded that she realized her seat had
been changed to first class.
Chapter 17
Rudolf caught the flicker of surprise in her eyes and lifted his
brow. “So you can actually get some rest. This trip is unpaid,
after all, the least I can do is make sure you’re comfortable.”
With that, he handed her some calming herbs.
Clarinda accepted it with a smile. “And will Clifton reimburse
you for this?”
“Don’t worry, I can afford it.”
“Then, thank you, Rudolf.”
Clarinda didn’t ask further.
Truth be told, Rudolf was hardly strapped for cash. His family
owned a renowned pharmaceutical group; opening a traditional
medicine clinic had always been just his personal hobby.
Unexpectedly, the patent medicine he and Clarinda had
developed together brought the clinic instant fame, and patients
came in droves.
Veyton was six hours ahead of Veltrana.
By the time they landed, the sun was shining bright.
The Traditional Medicine Research Institute had arranged a car
to pick them up and take them to their hotel.
Chapter 17
At her room door, Rudolf noticed her bare ring finger. “Weren’t
you always so protective of your wedding ring? Why aren’t you
wearing it this time?”
“Lost it.”
Clarinda shrugged and said plainly, “Rudolf, I’m getting a
divorce.”
Rudolf froze, then arched a brow in amusement. “So Clifton was
right after all. Corby never deserved you.”
Seeing the smile in his eyes, Clarinda asked, “Am I supposed to take that as you gloating?”
“Not at all. I’m genuinely happy for you.”
He smiled and carried her suitcase inside. “Get some rest. I’ll pick
you up tonight for dinner.”
“Alright.”
After a shower, Clarinda pulled out her phone.
The moment she powered it on, messages started streaming in.
Corby’s, in particular, stood out.
“Clara, something came up last minute. I can’t be there when
Chapter 17
you’re discharged.”
“Be good, I promise I’ll be home tonight so we can open gifts
together.”
Clarinda’s lips curved in a mocking smile.
Was it that he had plans or Adrienne did?
She couldn’t even be bothered to reply, instead opening Cecily’s
chat to let her know she was safe.
After that, with time to spare and having already slept enough
on the plane, she decided to go for a walk.
Cecily was in a meeting when the message came. Relieved to
know Clarinda was safe, she didn’t reply right away.
It wasn’t until she finished working overtime that she called
back, cutting straight to the point. “Did Corby see the divorce
papers yet? Has he given you an answer?”
By then, it was already the middle of the night back home.
If Corby hadn’t gone back on his word, he should have opened
the gift by now and seen the divorce papers inside.
Or perhaps he was just too used to her waiting quietly in that
empty villa, night after night.
Chapter 17
Clarinda no longer cared to guess.
She stood in Kavren Cathedral, gazing up at the sculptures as
she answered unhurriedly, “Don’t know. Not yet.”
Brief and to the point.
She wasn’t worried, but Cecily was. “My God, you’re really not
in a hurry at all, are you?”
“If the outcome won’t change no matter what, why rush the
process?”
Clarinda’s tone was calm. “What’s the point of hurrying?”
“Fair enough.”
Cecily sighed. “If only my bosses and clients could all be as
levelheaded as you, my job would be so much easier.”
“That’s impossible.”
Clarinda teased, “A paycheck is partly just compensation for the
mental toll.”
By the time she left Kavren Cathedral, the sky had already
darkened.
Seeing it was nearly time, she took a cab back to the hotel and
Chapter 17
bumped into Rudolf at the elevator.
Together they headed to the restaurant reserved by the
Institute.
It was a welcome dinner.
Clifton was a legendary figure in the field of traditional
medicine.
Since they were representing him, the Institute had made sure
every detail was handled with extra care.
The Institute’s host, also Aurivalian, was warm and
enthusiastic. “Mr. Archer, Ms. Whitaker, thank you for
traveling all this way. Please, sit.”
Rudolf was a natural at socializing.
Lateefa Khanam is a spirited writer who finds freedom in horse riding. She cherishes her mare and the newborn foal, calling them her little happy family.
