CEO's Regret After I Divorced-Chapter 372 The Quinn Family

Author’s POV

Maya’s heels clacked sharply against the floor as she was escorted out by hospital security. She struggled against their grip, stamping her foot with frustration. The door closed behind her with a hollow bang, leaving a vacuum of silence.

Serena exhaled slowly. Relief should have followed, yet something inside her twisted uncomfortably.

"Mrs. Lancaster," the nurse apologized at once, flustered. "I’m terribly sorry. It won’t happen again. We’ll make sure no unauthorized visitors enter your room."

Serena’s voice came out hoarse, edged with irritation. "See that you don’t. When can I be discharged?"

"The doctor recommends another few days of observation."

Serena waved a hand, restless. "Just keep the strangers out. I don’t want anyone disturbing me again."

"Of course, ma’am."

When the door clicked shut, stillness settled over the room like fog. Outside, dusk had already begun to fall, painting the walls in soft grey shadows. The clock’s ticking grew louder with every beat of her uneven heart.

Her thoughts darted in circles—snared and frantic. She tried to push them away, but Maya’s desperate face refused to fade.

She knew the woman, at least vaguely. Maya used to be in the same social circle—Ryan’s wife’s close friend, later married into the powerful Quinn family. Her husband, Ethan Quinn, now the head of the family’s vast empire. The kind of woman who moved through high society with ease—elegant, poised, untouchable.

Someone like that didn’t make random accusations.

She either had been deceived... or she was telling the truth.

And that second possibility frightened Serena.

She massaged her temples, fatigue creeping in. It was absurd. Impossible. But that didn’t stop her thoughts from tangling into tighter knots until the sedatives finally dragged her down into uneasy sleep.

Morning sunlight slipped through the blinds when she woke. Pale gold stripes crossed the bed sheets, warm and deceptive. Serena had made up her mind.

She was leaving.

When she told the doctor, he frowned, then sighed in defeat. "Medically, it’s not ideal," he said. "Your throat injury still requires rest. Strain it now, and the damage could worsen permanently."

"I’m not returning to work right away," Serena murmured, wrapping her scarf around her neck. "I’ll rest at home."

The firmness in her tone left no space for argument. The doctor hesitated, then nodded and began the discharge paperwork.

By the time the forms were signed, the hospital had informed Cedric Lancaster.

He arrived twenty minutes later—sharp suit, steady stride, the scent of crisp cologne preceding him. His expression softened when he saw her, but his eyes flickered with faint worry.

"You don’t look well," he said, taking the bag of medications from the nurse. "Didn’t you sleep?"

Serena shook her head, avoiding his gaze. The doctor’s warning echoed in her mind; her throat burned, raw and tight, so she didn’t speak.

Cedric’s concern poured out in his usual restrained way. "This place is nothing like home. Once we’re back, I’ll have the family physician visit daily. You’ll recover faster there."

He smiled faintly. "Come on—the car’s waiting."

Down the elevator they went, past the sterile corridors and murmuring nurses. Serena focused on her breathing—steady, even—but her pulse wouldn’t calm. A strange feeling rippled in her chest, a mixture of anticipation and dread, as though something inevitable waited just beyond the glass doors.

The moment they stepped outside, the world blurred into chaos.

"Serena?" a man’s voice called. "Serena, it really is you!"

Cedric froze midstep. Serena turned, startled, to see Ethan Quinn barreling toward them. Maya trailed behind him, trembling but determined.

Serena felt her stomach drop. The hospital had given her peace for one night, and already chaos had chased her out the door.

"I’m Ethan!" The man’s breath came fast as he reached them, raw emotion burning in his eyes. "I’m your brother, Serena!"

Before she could react, his hand closed around her arm.

Cedric’s posture hardened instantly. He stepped forward, prying Ethan’s hand away and placing himself between them. "You’ve mistaken her for someone else," he said, voice clipped. "This is Serena Lancaster."

A muscle worked in Ethan’s jaw. "Mistaken? You think I wouldn’t recognize my own sister?" His voice rose, shaking. "Cedric, I thought we were friends. And all this time—you’ve been hiding her!"

"Ethan—" Cedric began.

"Do you know," Ethan cut him off, face flushed, "that the Quinn family has been searching for her for three years?"

The words punched the air. Serena felt it in her chest—the weight, the accusation, the impossible familiarity of it.

Cedric inhaled slowly, the way he always did before regaining control. But a flicker crossed his face—something fleeting, guilty, before his expression smoothed into ice.

"Ethan," he said evenly, "you need to calm down. She is not your sister."

"You liar!" Maya’s voice cracked as she stepped forward. Her hands latched onto Cedric’s sleeve. "This is her! She’s just lost her memory. What have you done to her, Cedric?"

Her cry gathered curious glances from people nearby.

She tugged on Cedric’s sleeve—the smallest plea: Let’s go.

He turned to her, then nodded once. "We’re leaving," he said quietly, and guided her toward the parking lot.

But Maya wouldn’t relent. She followed, tears streaking her face. "Serena, please! Don’t you remember Dreamland Jewelry? We built it together! You were accused of plagiarism—and then you vanished. You carried that lie for three years!"

Every word hit Serena like a tremor. Even her breath faltered. Dreamland Jewelry. The name was a ghost, echoing in a corridor she couldn’t find.

Maya caught Cedric’s arm again. There was a small struggle, then a sharp shove. She fell hard onto the pavement.

"Cedric!" Serena gasped, but the sound scraped her throat to pain.

"Cedric Lancaster, have you lost your mind?" Ethan’s face contorted in fury as he knelt beside Maya. "She’s pregnant—!"

The world tilted.

Pregnant.

Serena’s eyes widened as she stepped back, horrified.

Cedric grabbed her wrist. "We’re leaving." His voice brooked no argument. He all but pulled her into the car, slamming the door shut behind them.

As the vehicle surged forward, Serena stared through the rear window. Ethan was holding Maya upright; her lips had turned bloodless, her eyes fluttering shut. The image carved itself into Serena’s mind.

"Why did you do that?" she whispered, her throat cracking. "Why did you push her?"