“Lydia, do you really not feel anything for me? Not even a little?” Eugene asked, still clinging to a thread of hope. “Just a little, that's all I’m asking.”He had tried so hard, done everything he could, and still, it was as if he couldn’t melt Lydia’s heart.“And we've already been involved. I want to take responsibility for that. I'm not trying to play around. Lydia, please think this over carefully. We slept together!”“Do you hear yourself right now?” Lydia sighed, her patience running thin. The more he clung to her, the more determined she felt. It was clear they couldn't even remain friends.With a final attempt at patience, she said, “That night is behind us, Eugene. Stop bringing it up. According to your logic, since I have a child with Quincy, he and I should be bound together forever. But that's just not how things work.”Eugene clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. “Lydia, don’t say things just to push my buttons.”The thought of Lydia and Quincy reconciling made E
Eugene and Lydia had hardly even held hands, let alone discussed something as specific as her wrist size.“Do you have any adjustable bracelets?” he asked.“We do, but the options are limited. The more popular designs are sized,” the associate replied, eyeing him thoughtfully. It seemed odd. On one hand, he was picking out the most extravagant pieces, but on the other, he didn’t know basic details about his fiancée. By this point, most couples would have had a bit more familiarity, right?“No problem. I’ll take this one,” Eugene said, picking out the most expensive bracelet available. “And add a necklace, too.”Money wasn’t a concern for him. He wanted Lydia’s parents to see just how serious he was, so he chose the priciest pieces he could. By the time he finished, the associate’s smile was almost frozen in place. He had singlehandedly hit her monthly sales quota in one go.Next, Eugene bought a selection of fine cigars and spirits before heading over to Lydia’s parents' house,
Marriage was no trivial matter, and Mrs. Fay couldn’t make such a decision for her daughter so casually. She exchanged a glance with Mr. Fay, who quickly poured Eugene a cup of tea. “Eugene, you’ve been talking since you arrived. Take a moment to relax and have some tea,” he said.“Mr. and Mrs. Fay, I genuinely want to marry Lydia. Our families are well-matched, and I assure you she would be well taken care of. My parents would treat her as their own daughter. Please, just give me your blessing.” Eugene took the tea but didn’t drink it, his eyes fixed on them with hope.Mr. Fay hesitated. “Eugene, I still think this is all a bit rushed. Before any talk of marriage, we should meet with your parents and discuss the details thoroughly. So, take these gifts back for now, and let’s set up a time to visit.”Eugene could sense the hesitancy in Mr. Fay’s tone. He had pushed as hard as he could. Short of dragging Lydia down to the courthouse to get a marriage license, he had run out of opt
Mrs. Fay also felt Eugene had acted inappropriately, though she didn’t see it as a character flaw. “Eugene likely just got anxious and ended up making some mistakes.”“It doesn’t matter how rushed he feels. I’m not going to be with him,” Lydia responded firmly. “I was drinking that night, and something was added to my drink. Otherwise, things never would have gone as they did. I don’t intend to throw away my future over one night.” She was resolute. No matter how much pressure her parents put on her, she wasn’t about to fall into that trap. Getting into this was easy, but getting out would be nearly impossible. In addition, Eugene’s habit of running to others with every issue, was just too immature. “Lydia, it’s your choice whether to marry him or not,” Mrs. Fay assured her. “We wanted you to get to know him, but that doesn’t mean you’re bound to marry him.”To Lydia’s surprise, her mother was firmly on her side. Her father, after finishing two cigarettes, echoed her mother’s sen
But why had Lydia returned to her cold, distant self, shutting him out completely after that morning?“Hit me, yell at me, make me kneel on nails outside your door if that’s what it takes. I’ll take it without a word. Just please, Lydia, don’t ignore me,” Quincy pleaded, desperation clear in his voice.He had never lowered himself like this for anyone. Even the toughest clients hadn’t driven him to this point. But for Lydia, he was willing to lose everything except her.Lydia wanted to walk away without looking back, but his voice stopped her, making her eyes sting as her feet felt glued to the ground. She shook her head, unable to turn and face him. She knew that if she did, she might never find the strength to leave.“Quincy, we’re over. Even if we have to meet again, it shouldn’t be here,” she said, her voice steady but final.Their last meeting should be at the courthouse, signing divorce papers. Then they would part ways for good.“We may be over, but we can start again. I k
The elderly lady's expression turned serious. “Oh, dear, it looks like you've been out here for quite a while, and she still won’t see you? Young man, I’ve lived a long time, and I’ve got some advice if you’re willing to hear it.”Quincy assumed she was going to advise him to give up. If he were in someone else’s shoes, he might say the same thing. But only those in love knew that true feelings would not just vanish like dust in the wind.To his surprise, the elderly woman took a different approach. “When I was young, I went after my husband even though he didn’t like me at first. And his family? They thought I was just a country girl, plain and uncultured. But so what? I knew what I wanted. I was set on him, so I kept at it until I won him over.”She chuckled, her eyes twinkling with pride.Quincy instinctively asked, “And after you got together, did his family still treat you the same way?”“Of course not. Parents just want their kids to find a good partner. They’re not trying t
"Yes, we have one! The next tour leaves tomorrow morning. It's a seven-day trip to the grasslands with horseback riding, milk wine tastings, and all expenses covered!" The college girl was so thrilled she could barely get the words out. It was her first day at this part-time job, and she had already made a sale! With this paycheck, she could finally send money for her grandmother’s medical expenses."Then I’ll book that one," Lydia replied, not caring much about the destination. As long as it took her far from Quincy and Eugene, it was enough. After paying, she added the guide as a contact. Rather than going back home, Lydia booked a hotel close to the departure point and settled in for the night. Once in her room, she video-called her parents, "I’m joining a tour group and heading out tomorrow. I’ll be back next week.""Sounds good! This is the perfect time for you to explore," her mom encouraged. "Travel broadens the mind. Did you pack everything you need?"Lydia shook her hea
“Is there really any difference between him and a desperate fool right now? Is Lydia really worth all this?” Tiffany thought.Quincy ignored Tiffany entirely, his back turned, treating her as if she wasn’t even there. Tiffany knew her words had no effect, so she resorted to calling for backup. Less than half an hour later, Mrs. Perez showed up.Seeing her, Quincy almost lost it. “Mom, you’re not in good health. You just had surgery. What are you doing out of the hospital?”“Good thing I came. Who knows how long you would’ve stood out here acting like an idiot if I hadn’t shown up?” She tapped his forehead hard, her voice sharp with frustration. “Quincy, I’m practically on my deathbed. Can’t you just let me have a little peace?”If Lydia’s background had been ordinary, Mrs. Perez would have gladly paid her to leave. But Lydia wasn’t just anyone. She was the daughter of the influential Fay family.Mrs. Perez couldn’t interfere directly with them, so she had no choice but to pressure
Karina felt the need to clarify. “It’s not because of what they’re saying about me. It’s… something else.”She left the rest unsaid, but Wilfred had already pieced it together. He had seen the trending posts online, and after hearing the truth from her a few days ago, everything made sense.The online rumors didn’t just accuse her of secretly taking photos. They delved into her past, exposing videos and photos of her working multiple part-time jobs day and night. The posts claimed she came from a poor background and insinuated that her position at the hospital was only secured by leveraging a powerful benefactor.It didn’t take much to infer that the “benefactor” in question was him.Karina’s past wasn’t common knowledge in the hospital. Even Wilfred only learned about it through her explanation. The only people who could expose such private details were her own family. Wilfred’s gaze softened with an almost imperceptible hint of pity. She had sacrificed her youth working hersel
Karina’s grip loosened instantly, her eyes filled with disbelief. “What did you just say?” How could they possibly know... Could it be the intern? But hadn’t she already left the hospital?The nurse smirked and shook her hand dismissively. “Oh, you didn’t know? Go check online yourself. Someone’s already exposed all your shameful secrets.” Boom! Karina staggered back, her face pale as a sheet. It took all her strength just to steady herself. With trembling hands, she pulled out her phone. Her movements were frantic, her urgency barely concealed. In her mind, she prayed over and over again, begging it not to be true. But reality wasn’t kind. Karina unlocked her phone, and an overwhelming flood of messages and trending headlines popped up. The words “secretly taking photos” leapt off the screen, stabbing her like a blade. Her limbs turned to jelly, and she nearly collapsed under the weight of the revelation. One of the nurses sneered, her voice dripping with m
Karina had never seen that particular look in Wilfred's eyes before. The emotions were subtle, hidden beneath the surface, almost imperceptible unless one paid close attention. Having spent so much time by his side recently, she had grown adept at reading his subtle expressions.“Sorry, Dr. Wilfred, have I caused trouble for you again?” she asked hesitantly, her guilt written all over her face.Wilfred lifted his gaze, ready to deliver a prepared response. Yet, faced with her earnest eyes, his words faltered, and what he finally said was, “From now on, you don’t need to call me ‘Dr. Wilfred’ every time.”“Then what should I call you? Mr. Wilfred?” she asked tentatively.“Just my name.”Wilfred’s voice was calm as he used his knife and fork to cut into his steak. His dark lashes framed eyes that seemed to glimmer with depth, as if they held secrets untold. Despite his cool demeanor, Karina felt a small surge of satisfaction and smiled. “Alright. At the hospital, I’ll call y
Karina handed the menu to Wilfred. “Take a look and let me know if there’s anything you can’t eat.”Wilfred’s reply was brief. “No.”Relieved, Karina took the menu back and carefully selected a few dishes she could afford within her current budget. “How about this?”Wilfred glanced at the choices. His expression was calm as always, but Karina felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. She couldn’t even lift her head. She had invited him out for dinner, confidently saying it was her treat, yet this was all she could afford. “He must think so little of me,” she thought. But before her thoughts could spiral further, Wilfred withdrew his gaze. “This is fine, but you don’t need to factor in my preferences so much. Order whatever you like.” Karina flushed, realizing he had seen right through her. She had indeed chosen the dishes based on what she thought he would like. The food arrived quickly. Karina, ever attentive, handed Wilfred a set of utensils. “This restaurant h
“Send me forty thousand. I need to upgrade to a better wheelchair.”Karina frowned. “Didn’t you just get a new wheelchair recently? Let’s be real, it’s not for the wheelchair, is it? You’re just going to blow it on something else.”Caught off guard, Kieran’s voice rose in anger. “Cut the crap! Just tell me, are you giving me the money or not? Give me forty thousand, and I’ll stay out of your life for a while. Deal?”Listening to his voice through the phone, Karina gripped her phone tightly, regret and frustration bubbling up inside her. No one knew how much she regretted that day. If only she hadn’t gone out, hadn’t gotten into that car, or if she had been the one to die instead. At least then, she would be free. Instead, she was stuck, drained by this family like a parasite that wouldn’t stop until they had sucked her dry.Exhaustion weighed heavily in her voice as she responded, “I told you last time, I don’t have any more money. No matter how many times you ask, the answer wo
Dr. Kerr was quickly taken into custody for investigation, and the truth emerged not long after. What happened to the girl was no accident. He had secretly swapped the liver source.The originally matched donor liver had been replaced, leading to the rejection that ultimately cost the patient her life. Following the revelation, the hospital paid a substantial settlement for Dr. Kerr's actions, though no amount of money could ease the pain of the grieving family. A life lost was irreplaceable.For Karina and Wilfred, the outcome was bittersweet. They felt the sorrow of the situation but could do little more than reflect on it. After Wilfred's name was cleared, he followed through on his promise to Karina. He assigned her to an important research project, one of the hospital's most significant undertakings. The decision was met with resistance.Many colleagues believed Karina was too young and inexperienced for the role. But Wilfred stood firm, defending her. “I chose her. If th
Karina was startled and quickly grabbed Wilfred's hand, rummaging through her bag for a wet wipe. “How did this happen? Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”Wilfred gently brushed her hand aside, his cool demeanor and tired expression softened under the streetlight. “It’s nothing. Just a small injury. It’ll heal on its own.”“That’s not okay!” Karina shot back, ignoring his resistance as she took his hand and cleaned the wound with the wet wipe. She then pulled out a bandage, her movements precise yet tender.Wilfred watched her in silence, his gaze inscrutable. For a fleeting moment, something flickered in his eyes, as if his thoughts were both present and absent at the same time. Beneath the cold glow of the streetlamp, the air seemed to soften. Wilfred let himself linger in the moment, indulging in the rare warmth of being cared for.*The next day, they confronted Dr. Kerr, a prominent figure in organ transplantation. Dr. Kerr had narrowly lost the hospital's directorial po
Wilfred’s back was smooth and unblemished, his skin noticeably fairer than most, making the bruises stand out starkly. However, Karina wasn’t distracted and her entire focus was on carefully applying the medication. But for Wilfred, maintaining his composure was far more challenging.The warmth of her breath and the faint tremble of her fingertips felt like a persistent feather brushing over his senses, teasing his composure. For the first time, Wilfred realized just how sensitive his back was, and the discovery filled him with regret. His fists clenched as he silently endured. Suddenly, Karina leaned closer and gently blew on the bruised area. “Does it hurt? I’ll blow on it to make it better.” His entire body stiffened, and in one swift motion, he grabbed his shirt and shrugged it back on, quickly pulling his lab coat over it. His voice came low and firm. “That’s enough. No need for anything else.” Karina froze, her eyes darting around the empty office. It was just t
Seeing the two men gearing up to strike again, Karina instinctively reached for Wilfred, ready to pull him away. A little humiliation was better than getting hurt, she thought.The blow Wilfred had taken earlier still made her heart pound with fear just thinking about it. She couldn’t imagine the state of his back now. It was likely bruised and swollen but there was no time to sit down and check. Without hesitation, Karina reached out and grabbed Wilfred’s hand. His wide, warm palm enveloped hers, though she didn’t seem to notice. “Dr. Wilfred, let’s go. The police will handle this when they arrive,” she urged, tugging him gently. Karina didn’t pay attention to the moment, but Wilfred did. Her hand felt so small, so delicate in his, as if he could completely enclose it with just a slight movement. A strange warmth crept into his chest, unsettling him. He pulled his hand free, his voice calm but firm. “There’s no need.” Before Karina could argue, the sound of sirens p