My CEO HUSBAND sign the divorce novel Chapter 269

Chapter 269: Flashback

Information about my mother’s family.

Their hometown.

Rosewood Town.

The Whitemore family.

Whitemore Industries.

Their home address.

And finally...

A business card.

Uncle Herbert’s name was printed neatly across it, together with his personal contact number.

A bitter smile found its way onto my lips.

I still remembered that night.

The night I finally gathered enough courage to call him.

I had stared at that little card for what felt like hours, wondering whether he would believe a complete stranger claiming to be his late sister’s daughter.

Alexander had been in his study working that night.

After hesitating countless times, I finally dialed the number.

To my surprise...

Uncle Herbert listened patiently.

He believed every word I said.

I never mentioned Alexander.

Nor did I tell him why I truly wanted to leave.

I only told him that I wanted to meet my mother’s family.

He didn’t question me.

Instead, he promised to arrange everything.

And he kept that promise.

That was why Alexander never managed to trace me.

The plane ticket he found...

Had only been a distraction.

By then, I had already decided to leave after Grandma’s death.

The only thing keeping me there...

Was Grandma herself.

My fingers tightened around the business card.

The memory of our final conversation surfaced vividly in my mind.

...

Flashback

Alicia stood outside Roseline’s hospital room for several moments, her hand resting on the doorknob as she struggled to gather the courage to enter.

Taking a deep breath, she finally pushed the door open.

Roseline was lying quietly on the hospital bed. Though her complexion was pale, a gentle smile still appeared on her face the moment she saw Alicia.

"Come here, my dear," she called softly. "Don’t be scared."

The tears Alicia had been holding back immediately escaped.

"Nana..."

She hurried to the bedside and carefully held Roseline’s frail hand.

"What happened to you?" she asked, her voice trembling. "You promised... you promised you’d stay with me."

"You promised you’d hold my baby."

Roseline’s eyes softened with affection.

She knew better than anyone that once she was gone, Alicia would truly have no one left.

"My dear," Roseline said gently, lifting her trembling hand to wipe away Alicia’s tears. "This is life."

"We both knew this day would come."

"So don’t cry anymore."

"It’s not good for you... or the baby."

Alicia desperately tried to stop crying.

She truly did.

But the more she tried, the harder the tears fell.

She had spent months convincing herself she had accepted Roseline’s illness.

Yet now that this moment had finally arrived...

None of that acceptance remained.

"How can you ask me not to cry?" Alicia sobbed.

"You’re all I have left."

"No," Roseline interrupted softly.

"You still have Alexander."

"And now... you have your baby."

She paused for a moment before continuing.

"I know this marriage was forced you unto you..."

"It wasn’t."

Alicia shook her head firmly.

"You never forced me into anything, Nana."

"I chose this marriage."

"And you’ve never made a decision that wasn’t for my sake."

Roseline smiled faintly.

Only now did Alicia truly understand the reason behind that marriage.

Without Roseline...

The Blackwood family would no longer have anyone willing to protect her.

Marrying Alexander had never been about fulfilling Roseline’s wish alone.

It had been Roseline’s way of ensuring Alicia would still have a place in the Blackwood family after she was gone.

Seeing the understanding in Alicia’s eyes, Roseline smiled with relief.

"I’m glad you finally understand."

Alicia nodded through her tears before gently resting her forehead against Roseline’s hand.

"I understand."

"And no matter what happens..."

"I’ll never regret obeying your choices."

Those words made Roseline’s smile falter slightly.

The last thing she wanted was for Roseline to leave this world still worrying about her.

After a long struggle...

She finally nodded.

"I promise."

"I won’t cry anymore."

Roseline smiled weakly.

"And promise me something else."

"Live your life."

"Don’t let anyone make you lose yourself."

"Don’t let anyone take away your happiness."

Alicia nodded again, tears silently rolling down her cheeks.

"I promise."

Roseline gently cupped Alicia’s face before stroking her hair one last time.

"My good girl..."

At that very moment...

The heart monitor suddenly let out a rapid series of beeps.

"Nana!"

Alicia immediately stood up, intending to call the doctors.

But Roseline weakly held onto her wrist.

Alicia turned back.

Roseline slowly shook her head.

Then...

Her eyes gently closed.

The hand holding Alicia’s wrist slowly slipped away...

Before falling lifelessly onto the hospital bed.

"Nana..."

Alicia whispered in disbelief.

The doctors rushed into the room almost immediately.

Voices echoed around her.

"Move aside!"

"Prepare the defibrillator!"

"We’re losing her!"

But Alicia couldn’t hear any of it.

She stood frozen beside the bed.

Her eyes remained fixed on Roseline’s peaceful face.

As though...

If she stood there long enough...

Roseline would open her eyes again.

She never did.

End of Flashback