The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 267

Her own marriage and romantic history were a complete disaster, and she had raised a son who was a thirty-year-old emotional blockhead. Who was she to try and play matchmaker?

Forget it. Let nature take its course.

The two of them ate in comfortable silence, occasionally making small talk about the weather, the golden oak tree outside, and the quality of the hospital food. The atmosphere was warm and entirely relaxed.

Evelyn scooped up a bite of a wildly tart pickled vegetable medley and popped it into her mouth.

Her fork paused.

Then, she went back for a second bite.

And a third.

Noticing this, Isabella glanced at the pickled dish and smiled. "Do you have a craving for sour food?"

Evelyn nodded, taking another generous bite. "Yes. The dressing on this is fantastic. The acidity is absolutely perfect."

Watching Evelyn eat with such relish, Isabella found the girl's appetite incredibly endearing. She took a bite of her own food, steering clear of the fiercely sour pickled medley.

A while later, Evelyn finally set her fork down.

Isabella glanced at Evelyn's plate—she had barely touched her potatoes, only taken a few sips of the consommé, eaten two small bites of the sea bass, and managed exactly one piece of asparagus.

The only plate that had been entirely decimated was the wildly tart pickled vegetable medley.

"Evie," Isabella asked, her brow furrowing in concern. "Why did you eat so little? Was the food not to your liking? Or are you just exhausted?"

Evelyn shook her head. "No, everything was wonderful. It's just..."

She paused, her fingers subconsciously brushing over her lower abdomen. She offered a somewhat sheepish smile. "It's getting close to my time of the month. My appetite is a bit off."

Isabella blinked, quickly understanding. She nodded sympathetically. "Make sure you grab some warm tea and avoid anything cold. Try not to push yourself too hard over the next few days."

"I know. Thank you," Evelyn replied softly.

Just as she finished speaking, her phone vibrated.

Evelyn checked the caller ID and looked apologetically at Isabella. "I need to take this. I have a specialized consultation scheduled for this afternoon. It might be the hospital calling."

"Go right ahead," Isabella waved a hand dismissively. "Work comes first."

Evelyn picked up her phone and stepped quickly out of the room.

The door clicked shut.

The suite descended into silence.

Isabella looked at the feast spread across the table, most of it completely untouched, and then down at the polished-clean plate of pickled vegetables. She felt a twinge of guilt. Was the girl just being polite about the food? She had only managed to stomach the pickled dish and barely glanced at the rest.

Isabella shook her head, keeping her thoughts to herself.

Just then, the doctor knocked and entered the room. "Isabella, it's time for your routine checkup."

Lance quickly finished packing up the food containers. "I'll get going now. Mr. Thorne said he'll drop by after work to see you."

"Alright. Drive safely," Isabella nodded.

As Lance slipped out of the room, the doctor began prepping his instruments.

Isabella leaned her head back, her gaze drifting toward the golden oak leaves outside the window.

The crazy thought flashed through her mind once more, but she quickly forced it away.

It was impossible.

She was so young, how could she possibly...

The doctor's gentle voice interrupted her swirling thoughts. "Please lie back, we're going to start by checking your blood pressure."

Isabella shifted down into the pillows, cooperating with the examination.

But for some inexplicable reason, the image of that completely decimated plate of wildly tart pickled vegetables refused to leave her mind.