Chapter 17
She had finally given in, admitted her love for him, and agreed to marry him.
But then, quietly, she had locked away the application form to join the medical aid in a drawer.
Benedict searched through the drawers in the master bedroom, and as he feared, the form
was gone.
He knew, without a doubt, that Odette had probably gone to South Africa to join the medical aid.
She had chosen to divorce, to cut ties with him, and to follow her calling.
Chapter 17
Benedict lay back on the bed they had shared, clutching her phone.
Desperately, he inhaled the pillow, hoping for a trace of her scent, only to find it was fading, slipping through his fingers like sand.
When did it start? When had he, like a fool, fallen into Millicent‘ s trap?
Once, twice, three times, had he truly neglected the woman he loved most for
Millicent?
The day after Odette lost her womb, Benedict secretly underwent a vasectomy, hiding the truth from everyone around him.
He swore to his parents that he would never father children.
Chapter 17
At that time, his love for Odette was
boundless.
But after marriage, a shift began to take place; Odette’s care seemed less, and gradually, Benedict sought excitement elsewhere.
Odette was perfect, yet she was a woman who played by the rules.
But Benedict, who had never once looked at anyone else since falling in love with her, began to feel a void.
Then came Millicent, with her constant allure, and soon, he began to think that a fleeting affair wasn’t such a big deal.
He thought he could hide it all and protect his
secret.
Chapter 17
Now, he realized how naive he had been; the truth was like a shadow, impossible to escape.
He had lost the woman he once loved with all
his heart.
While Benedict‘ s world crumbled, Odette had already set foot on South African soil.
She shared her first meal with fellow doctors and treated the first patients who were in desperate need of help.
From the moment her feet touched the
ground, it was as though she had erased everything about Benedict, leaving it all behind.
She walked forward with unwavering resolve, her eyes focused solely on those who needed her.
Chapter 17
In South Africa, many children suffer from blindness caused by poor medical care, infections, and injuries.
She felt a deep sorrow for the children, so young yet already robbed of the chance to see the vibrant world around them.
Odette worked late into the night, stealing only a brief moment to gaze up at the pristine South African sky, her mind lost in thought.
Before boarding the plane, she had only prepared a new SIM card, keeping her internet off, savoring the rare silence and
peace.
But soon, that tranquility was shattered.
“Dr. Clarendon, look, it seems you‘ ve become an internet sensation.”
Chapter 17
The voice belonged to Amadeo Davenport, a senior from Odette‘ s university, someone who shared the same mentor.
It was Amadeo’s third year in South Africa, and there was nothing more surprising than seeing a familiar face in an unfamiliar place.
With a grin, Amadeo handed his phone to
Odette.
Odette saw the trending topics flash across her screen, everything from the planned colorful lights to the handled plagiarism scandal.
She glanced at them briefly, her interest waning quickly as if the online chatter couldn’t hold a candle to the beauty of the starry sky above her.
6/7
Chapter 17
Seeing her lack of interest, Amadeo couldn’t
help but hand her a freshly baked flatbread.
“It’s really delicious. You should try it.”
“Thank you.”
Amadeo paused, then asked, “How could he let
you come here alone? Isn‘ t it dangerous?”
He hesitated, but the question escaped him before he could stop it.
“I divorced him. I don’t need his
permission,” Odette smiled softly.
Amadeo was taken aback, remembering how
extravagant their wedding had been.
