Chapter 222
“Do you think it’s a bit late to start playing the good mother role now?” Gwendolyn asked, her voice heavy with emotion.
I’m sorry, Gwen.”
After over twenty years, Gwendolyn finally heard a sincere apology, but it was too late, barely causing a ripple in her now calm heart. Gemma lingered, her words filled with concern, before she finally, reluctantly, gathered her child to leave.
Gwendolyn slipped a bank card into the baby’s blanket. It contained all her savings from the recent months she had been away for treatment. The last time she spoke with Marina, the subject of the Sawyer family’s bankruptcy came up, so she had prepared for this moment.
She would consider it a severance, a childcare support for Gemma. From then on, their paths would diverge, no more ties to bind them. After Gemma left, the living room quickly fell silent.
Gwendolyn sat still, stiff in her chair, for a long time, before she picked up her phone and called the hospital. “Hello, I’d like to volunteer for the free clinic.”
Two days later, the volunteer medical team from Bayridge Hospital was ready. Two buses set off toward the remote townships under Bayridge City, with Gwendolyn assigned to the most impoverished area, Honeysuckle Hollow.
It took a grueling four to five–hour drive before Gwendolyn arrived. When she got off the bus, her cell phone signal became spotty, messages spinning as they tried to send.
A young male doctor lamented. “Man, the reception here is awful. I can’t text my girlfriend to let her know I’m okay.”
The embarrassed town mayor explained, “We’ve had heavy rain recently. It took out the cell tower. When the weather clears up, the company will send someone to fix it. Please bear with it, for now, doctors. I’ll show you to your rooms.”
Despite the poverty, they had clean bungalows to stay in, one for each person. The village had even arranged for locals to cook and clean for them.
The clinic and equipment were set up in the nearby school.
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While stepping off the bus, Gwendolyn heard the announcements over the loudspeaker, informing villagers of the free medical check–ups the next day and asking them to attend on time.
The young doctor chuckled. “You guys value this, huh?”
“We don’t have much out here, and going to big hospitals isn’t something we dare to do often. But now you’ve come to us!” The town mayor smiled warmly. “It’s a real blessing!”
Gwendolyn’s lips curved into a smile. The shadows and burden of a love gone wrong had vanished from her heart.
To serve the world when called upon, to heal the people when stepped back. If not a great politician, then at least be a great physician.
“Perhaps this is the true meaning of practicing medicine.” She thought.
“Dr. Quigley, dinner’s ready!”
“Coming!”
The next day, the group emerged from the Tranquil Tides Hotel, led by a tall, distinguished man radiating an air of nobility.
“Quentin, the phone,” Howard demanded, and Quentin placed the device in his hand.
Howard scrolled through the call history, frowning. “No calls from home?” He was asking about Gwendolyn.
For the past few days, the Turner family’s illegitimate son had set up signal jammers in the hotel, fearing any mishaps. The Chadwick family, looking to expand their turf, had to play by their rules.
“None,” Quentin replied, his voice low, hiding his unease.
Howard dialed Gwendolyn’s number without hesitation.
*Sorry, the person you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please try again later.” The busy tone from the phone made Howard’s face darken.
He called Nathan right afterward. “Where’s Gwendolyn?”
Roused from a haze of debauchery and drunken dreams, Nathan responded with surprise, “You don’t know? Gwen’s gone to do some volunteer work in the countryside. She’ll be out for three or four days. Didn’t she tell you?”
