Loretta stood there, stunned after being scolded. She was just about to snap back when Sean and a housekeeper, drawn by the commotion, hurried into the room.
“Laurinda!” Sean rushed over, panic in his voice. He saw Charlotte pressing on Laurinda’s philtrum, trying to revive her, while Loretta clung to his arm. “Dad! It was her! That woman hurt Mom! She’s just after Mom’s jewelry—that’s why she did it!”
Sean’s brow furrowed as his gaze fell on the scattered jewelry across the bed. His wife almost never brought those things out—they were meant only for their daughter.
“What do you think you’re doing to my wife?” Sean demanded, stepping forward to pull Charlotte’s hand away.
But as Charlotte looked up, Sean froze, his grip loosening. There was something about her face—it bore a striking resemblance to how his wife looked in her youth.
He stared for several seconds, then glanced at Loretta. She looked nothing like Laurinda…and not much like him either.
“Mr. Rayburn, I’m a doctor. Mrs. Rayburn fainted suddenly; I wasn’t harming her as Miss Donovan claims.” Charlotte met Sean’s eyes calmly. “Besides, you brought me here yourself. I’ve known Mrs. Rayburn for a while. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Julian.”
Loretta scoffed. “Oh please! You’re just some doctor from Riverspire—how would you even know my brother or my mother?”
“Miss Donovan, if you’re that confused, maybe you should book a neurology appointment. I’ve told you—if you still don’t believe me, just ask Julian and Mr. Rayburn.”
“You—!”
Loretta fumed, her face turning green with anger. Clutching Sean’s arm, she complained, “Dad, she’s just trying to upset me! She has to be lying!”
Sean’s hand tightened at his side. He’d only just found his daughter—how could he let her be wronged? Still, even though the young woman before him looked so familiar…he would only trust evidence.
“Someone, please show this lady out.”
“Mr. Rayburn!” Charlotte protested.
Sean turned away, unwilling to meet her eyes. “This is a family matter, and we have our own doctor. Your help isn’t needed.”
VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle