Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 77

Audrey’s POV

Dr. Bennett pulled out her medical equipment. The familiar scent of antiseptic filled the air – a scent that had become all too familiar these past few months. Her movements were precise, professional, but I could see the concern in her eyes as she glanced up at me.

*I remember asking you to get your stomach checked at the hospital months ago,” she said, “Did you go? What were the results?

The memory of that dinner with William months ago flashed through my mind the moment I’d coughed blood into my napkin, trying to hide it, and Dr. Bennett’s sharp eyes catching everything. Her insistence that I get checked had led to the diagnosis that shattered my world.

I forced a calm smile now, the lie sliding from my lips. “I got checked. Nothing just

Dr. Bennett’s eyes narrowed slightly. Are you sure that’s all?”

She reached for my wrist, clearly intending to have a check. I jerked back instinctively, perhaps too quickly.

Rather than argue further, I lifted the edge of my shirt, redirecting her medical curiosity to where it wouldn’t uncover secrets I wasn’t ready to share. “William asked you to check the injury on my stomach.”

Dr. Bennett’s lips pressed into a thin line, clearly not finished with her questions about my stomach issues. But the moment the fabric revealed the angry purple–black mark spreading across my abdomen, her professional concern overwhelmed her suspicion.

but even the lightest touch sent waves of pain through my

in closer,

a silent nod, biting my lip

silence until she finally straightened. “Fortunately it’s just external bruising. But it’ll be painful for a

she knelt to examine my legs. Her sharp intake of breath told me everything I needed to know about how

voice carried a mix of horror and anger. “Was

the stairs this

kicked you?” Her

flashed through my mind – the

eyes, the sudden shove, the sickening sensation of

Dr. Bennett observed, her clinical assessment carrying an

a tube of prescription–strength ointment, her touch surprisingly gentle as she applied it to the angry bruises mapping my legs and abdomen. The relief was immediate but fleeting – like everything else in my life

pen and began making detailed notes

hand shot out before I could reconsider, fingers closing around her wrist. Her

the door, lowering my voice. “Could you…

glasses up her nose, fixing me with a penetrating stare. “Tell me exactly

up, surprise. evident