CEO Ex-Husband, Don't Bother Me-Chapter 88 - 86: Fatal Misunderstanding 5

The aftereffects of the shipwreck left her living in constant fear during the first year, on top of all the discomforts of pregnancy. In the second year, Joy was born, and raising her alone left her utterly exhausted every day. In the third year, just as she was about to seek help for Joy, her daughter was diagnosed with autism. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

At the orphanage, she met a girl named Willow Summers. She was a very lively and cheerful person who seemed completely carefree. Anna heard she was a web novelist who specialized in writing romance. She was very talkative and always liked to chat with her.

Later, Willow disappeared for a few months, then suddenly reappeared. Last weekend, when Anna was volunteering at the orphanage again, Willow Summers suddenly asked her secretively,

"How come I haven’t seen you wearing that Sandalwood Bracelet you used to have?"

Her heart skipped a beat, but she answered calmly,

"Oh, it got too old, so I threw it away. It was just some cheap thing anyway, not worth anything."

It was a good thing she’d been in a hurry that day and had forgotten to wear it. After that, she put the bracelet away and never wore it again.

Willow Summers looked very disappointed, but her cunning eyes stared at Anna without blinking.

"A few days ago, I went to a friend’s house from Thailos and saw that he was wearing a Sandalwood Bracelet identical to yours. I thought there might be some connection between you two!"

She gave a faint smile.

"Bracelets like that are very common. You can buy them anywhere on the street!"

"True!"

Willow Summers sighed.

"I just saw that my friend really treasures that Sandalwood Bracelet and thought I might be able to help him out. I guess I came up with nothing!"

She made a noncommittal sound and said nothing more, continuing to bandage a small child’s scraped arm.

The moment Willow Summers spoke, Anna knew who that "friend" was. The Sandalwood Bracelet was a limited edition; besides her and Julian Donovan, no one else would have one.

She just never thought the world was so small that she would hear news of him from such a seemingly unconnected person. A scornful smile touched her lips. ’Why is he treasuring that bracelet so much? Didn’t he refuse to accept it back then?’

Ever since Willow Summers started prying, she’d had a bad feeling. To be honest, after waking up from the shipwreck three years ago, she had decided to make herself forget everything from her past. She’d even told her rescuers that she couldn’t remember anything.

She had also imagined what it would be like if they met again one day. She had thought she would definitely pretend not to know him.

Perhaps because she had rehearsed this scene in her mind so many times, she had acted very normally today. She just hadn’t expected him to say something like that.

The little girl in her arms was frightened by the sight of her tears. She snuggled uneasily into her embrace, then raised a small hand to wipe the tears from her face and, in a rare moment, called out to her.

She felt a rush of emotion, both moved and apologetic, and kissed the little girl. Then she wiped her tears away. ’I promised myself I wouldn’t cry for him anymore. From now on, I really won’t.’

Downstairs, her phone rang just as she got out of the car. She answered it. The voice on the other end was very respectful.

"Excuse me, is this Ms. Quinn?"

"This is she. How can I help you?"

The person said,

"I’m a doctor from the psychiatry department at Mercy Hospital. Our director would like you to come in again tomorrow. He said your daughter’s case is quite complex and he wants to conduct a detailed diagnosis for her personally."

"Really? Thank you so much! I’ll definitely be there tomorrow!"

She was overjoyed. She had long heard about the exceptional skills of Mercy Hospital’s director. Now that he was willing to see Joy personally, she was sure Joy would get better.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Her gloomy mood from running into that man began to lift with the phone call. Holding her daughter, she got out of the car and immediately saw a man leaning against a car in front of the building. He was as warm and gentle as the autumn sun, completely dispelling the last trace of gloom in her heart.

Her spirits high, she smiled and walked over, holding Joy.

"Sean, why didn’t you go inside?"

The man was her savior, Sean Donovan. She had to admit that fate was a wondrous thing. They had met once, years ago, at Donovan Hospital, and years later, he had saved her life.

If his boat hadn’t been passing through that area of the sea during the shipwreck back then, she would have long since perished there.

Sean Donovan smiled and took Joy from her arms.

"I just got back from a trip down south. I felt like I was about to grow mold, so I came out to get some sun!"

She pressed her lips into a small smile. He was always like this, saying witty things to make people feel happy and relaxed.

The house belonged to Sean Donovan. He had a key, but he never entered on his own when she wasn’t home.

Sean Donovan turned and instructed his driver,

"I’ll have dinner here before I leave. Come pick me up later tonight."

The driver, seemingly used to their familiar dynamic, acknowledged the order and drove away.

She walked ahead while Sean Donovan followed behind, holding Joy. A car accident in his childhood had left Sean with a leg injury that still gave him trouble walking. It tended to flare up, especially on rainy or overcast days, and when it was severe, the pain would be so bad he couldn’t move and needed a wheelchair.

Of course, it didn’t affect his ability to carry a light child like Joy. At first, she wouldn’t let him carry her, afraid it would cause him discomfort, but he insisted. He even joked that he was a man, not a porcelain doll, so she stopped trying to prevent him.

But even though Sean had a chronic leg problem, it didn’t diminish his overall charm in the slightest. He was still the dream man of every socialite and heiress in Wincastle, thanks to his wealthy family background, his own tall, handsome, and gentlemanly demeanor, and his status as an internationally renowned Pharmacist.

Inside the house, Sean Donovan placed Joy on the sofa, then walked over and took Anna’s slender hand. He asked with a smile in his eyes,

"Why aren’t you wearing the ring?"

"I’m still not quite used to it..."

She looked at him apologetically and honestly expressed her feelings.

"Also, the diamond on that ring is just too big. It’s too flashy..."

Just a few days ago, before Sean Donovan had left for his business trip down south, she had accepted his proposal. After experiencing such a heartbreaking and desperate relationship, she didn’t want much—just someone who would love her and her daughter with all their heart.

The engagement ring was beautiful, custom-made just for her. She loved the design, and the diamond was dazzling. But she really wasn’t used to wearing a ring; she hadn’t worn one in all these years. In that six-year relationship, that man had given her countless pieces of jewelry, but never, not once, a ring.

’Once you truly understand the meaning of a ring, you know a man shouldn’t give one lightly, nor should a woman accept one so easily.’

"Habits are formed over time. If you accept my gift but don’t wear it, I’ll be hurt!"

Sean Donovan sighed, feigning sadness as he stroked her fair, smooth ring finger.

"Alright, alright, I’ll put it on tomorrow!"

She pulled her hand back with a soft laugh. Sean was such a cheerful and gentle person; she felt her own personality had become much brighter and lighter, as if influenced by him.

Seeing that she had agreed, Sean Donovan curled his lips in a satisfied smile. She turned and headed for the kitchen.

"You haven’t had dinner yet, have you?"

"Not yet. I came straight here after getting back from my trip."

Sean Donovan followed her to the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe, watching as she tied up her long hair, put on an apron, and began to prepare dinner. The serene and warm sight made him unable to resist walking over and gently embracing her from behind. He whispered softly,

"Anna, when are you and Joy going to move in with me?"

She now went by Anna Quinn, taking her mother’s surname. It was a new name for a new life, a wish to put her entire past behind her and live in peace and safety from now on. The moment she woke up, she had resolved to start over completely, even abandoning her old name.

Sean Donovan’s words made her stiffen. His voice continued,

"Don’t worry. Even though you’ve accepted my proposal, I won’t cross any lines before we’re officially married. And even after we’re married, if you’re not willing, I will never force you..."

She looked down, busying herself with the ingredients in her hands, and remained silent for a long moment before saying softly,

"You must be tired from your trip. Why don’t you go rest for a bit? I’ll call you when dinner is ready."

’I know it’s my fault,’ she thought. ’I just can’t break through that mental barrier.’ It had taken her a long time to mentally prepare herself just to accept his proposal. As far as she was concerned, she had already forgotten that man from her past. But accepting Sean... that might still take some time.

Seeing her evade the topic once again, Sean Donovan released her with a sense of helplessness and turned to walk out of the kitchen.