The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 359

Rosemary was worried sick, pacing frantically. She would bring in soup, but Quinn would take two sips and push it away. They called in the family doctor, who ran tests and declared there was nothing physically wrong—it was simply extreme emotional exhaustion.

Whenever Rosemary asked her what had happened, Quinn just shook her head, pressing her lips together and refusing to utter a single syllable.

A few days later, Rosemary couldn't stand it anymore. She practically dragged Quinn out of bed, insisting the weather was beautiful and that she needed to take a walk with her.

Unable to resist, Quinn threw on a casual coat and followed her out the door.

The sun was shining brightly, and the peach, apricot, and crabapple blossoms along the street were in full bloom, painting a perfect picture of spring.

Rosemary linked arms with her, chattering casually as they walked. She mentioned that Archie had grown taller again, and that she had the housekeeper pickle the radishes Quinn loved as a kid, which would be ready to eat in a few days.

Rosemary truly viewed Quinn as her own daughter. Seeing her this sick genuinely broke her heart.

Right at that moment, a figure stepped into their path.

Rosemary looked up to see a woman in a sharply tailored, dark gray trench coat. She had short hair, strikingly sharp features, and an aura of competence that carried an undeniable, commanding edge.

"Are you... Miss Quinn Foster?" the woman offered a polite smile.

Quinn paused. She vaguely felt the woman looked familiar, but after a closer look, she was certain they had never met.

"I am. And you are...?"

The woman politely handed over a business card. It read: Vanessa Vaughan, Senior Official at the Ministry of Health, Honorary Vice President of The National Cancer Center.

Quinn looked down at it.

They each ordered a hot coffee, which was brought over quickly.

Vanessa took a seat on the sofa, draped her trench coat over the armrest, took a sip of her Americano, and smiled.

"Ms. Foster, I'm not one to beat around the bush, so I'll get straight to the point—I'm actually here to talk to you about Garrison."

"Garrison?"

That name struck the most sensitive nerve in her heart. Quinn's brow furrowed.

Vanessa set down her coffee cup, resting her crossed hands on her lap. She leaned forward slightly, a bright, candid smile playing on her lips, looking exactly like two old friends casually catching up.

"Yes. I was wondering... if you'd be interested in partnering with us?"