After Divorce, She Bloomed

The chance encounter didn't bother Vanessa for long and later when she and Lorraine settled in the private sector of the hospital munching on their salad, she filled her friend in on all that she had found on Ethan's Mistress.

"No way!" Lorraine gasped when Vanessa told her the mistress's name.

"Serene Vans? Like 'the' Serene Vans?" She asked.

Vanessa nodded her head as she took a bite of her burger, The chance encounter didn't bother Vanessa for long and later when she and Lorraine settled in the private sector of the hospital munching on their salad, she filled her friend in on all that she had found on Ethan's Mistress.

"No way!" Lorraine gasped when Vanessa told her the mistress's name.

"Serene Vans? Like 'the' Serene Vans?" She asked.

Vanessa nodded her head as she took a bite of her burger, don't know about her divorce scandal."

Serene Vans had been married?

Vanessa thought as she collected Lorraine's phone and scrolled through the post, a look of surprise on her face.

She truly didn't know. Unlike Lorraine who always seemed to be up to the latest trends and gossip, despite her busy time, Vanessa was different. Although she was a doctor, a successful one at that, her schedule didn't always give her much free time. And when she did have free time, she didn't waste it on following the lives of other people, she'd rather catch up with a movie, take a long hot bath, or spend time with Ethan.

Ethan, just the thought of him had her grip on the phone tightening.

"So just because she got cheated on by her husband, she dimmed it fit to cheat with another woman's husband?" Vanessa nonchalantly asked as she handed the phone back.

Lorraine, knowing it was a rhetorical question, kept silent.

But she couldn't help but worry for Vanessa. Based on her feats during the divorce, Serene Vans was not an easy one to deal with.

Even Michael Hayes couldn't save his reputation safely from that witch.

Lorraine didn't want Vanessa to end up that way.

"Nessa," She called out to her friend, waiting till she had her attention before she continued, tentatively.

"Don't you think...it's time to contact your family? Ask them for help?"

As expected, Vanessa shook her head.

"No. You know I can't do that Lorraine, at least not before regaining my pride first. A Reeds never go down without a fight."

"Then," Lorraine joined her as she stood up to trash her used food container. "Don't you think you need any helper?"

"Helper? I think l've got enough.

Cole and Daniel will help me."

"Come on, Nessa," Lorraine couldn't help but hold her friend's hand. " Just in case the worst case, you need a stronger helper, who knows your enemy well just as you know about Ethan."

"A stronger helper?" Vanessa raised her eyebrow in confusion.

Lorraine then added, "I meanSerene's ex-husband, Mr. Hayes.

He'd definitely want revenge as you."

Vanessa couldn't help but laugh and shook her head to her lovely friend, "Are you even listening to yourself, Lorraine? We don't even know the face of the man."

Michael Hayes, his face was the opposite of his famous and well-known name, hidden.

He was not the kind of person that made his appearance on the front page. In fact, not many knew what he actually looked like, apart from the few that were close to him.

Even though he had a big name, he didn't like to make a big fuss over it. He'd rather focus his time and effort in growing his business, rather than being in the public eye.

"Maybe...We could..." Lorraine's voice trailed off as her mind failed to come up with a solution.

Vanessa gently patted her on the shoulder, commending her for how far she had come.

"I appreciate your suggestion Lori, but even if I did know how he looked, I wouldn't jump at the chance of an alliance, at least not until l'm certain he isn't like those tabloids say."

Lorraine opened her lips to speak but was interrupted by the sound of Vanessa's phone ringing.

"Sorry, a minute," She held up a finger as she turned to answer the phone. "Kathleen, what is it?"

She went silent for a few minutes, listening intently to what her assistant nurse had to say. After a while, she nodded her head. "I understand, I'll be there soon."

With that, she ended the phone and turned to Lorraine. "I gotta go, Lori, the hospital's got an emergency." She informed.

"Oh, sure, go ahead. I'll join you shortly." She said and Vanessa departed after a hug and a quick goodbye. When she arrived at the hospital, Kathleen was already waiting for her at the reception with what she assumed was a clipboard containing the patient's information.

"Welcome back Mrs. Bennett." Kathleen greeted.

Although she no longer liked the ring of her last name, Vanessa shrugged it off, choosing to focus on more important matters instead.

"What have I said about abrupt appointments, Kathleen?"

Kathleen smiled nervously, rubbing her temple as she apologized. "I'm sorry Mrs.Bennett. It was out of my control."

When she finally arrived in front, she collected the patient information and gave Kathleen a stern stare.

"Don't let this repeat itself again." "Yes, Mrs. Bennett."

With that, Vanessa walked into her office and shut the door behind her. However, when she turned around, she was surprised to see the person sitting across from her.

'It's him!' The arrogant handsome stranger at Dana's restaurant.