I quickly got changed, picked up my bag, and left the house.
I was worried sick. No one knew Edward Aesthete, the rich and powerful person who appeared at my wedding, was my only family. A couple of years ago, he was hospitalized due to a heart disease and had undergone countless operations.
I had always been worried about his condition.
The night breeze caused me to shiver. I quickened my pace and prayed that Grandpa would be fine.
After arriving at the hospital, I went straight to Grandpa's ward. Through the window, I could see him lying weakly on the bed. He was connected to a respirator, his eyes were closed, and his face was pale.
Ryan, who had always been Grandpa's attending doctor, was the one I relied on for reassurance. But with Ryan away, the emergency was now my responsibility.
Entering the ward, I checked on Grandpa and asked the nurse, "How's he doing?"
"The wound is bleeding, and his blood pressure suddenly dropped. We managed to stabilize him with fluids and a blood transfusion, but he's still barely conscious."
"Has his creatinine level been checked?" I asked.
"We're waiting for the results."
"Give him diuretics," I instructed, raising his legs slightly. "The swelling is too much. Treat it like acute kidney failure and avoid any harmful meds."
As the nurse replied, "Okay," the report came in. Handing it to me, she said, "His creatinine levels are high. Your diagnosis was right on point, Dr. Hailey!"
Bending down to check Grandpa's pupils, I softly asked, "Can you hear me? Do you recognize me?"
His responses were minimal.
"Get an MRI, prep for clot-busting treatment, and inform the neurologist on call. We need to protect his brain," I said.
The nurses followed my orders diligently. Initially in chaos when I arrived, the team was now organized thanks to my clear instructions.
With Grandpa's condition stable, a wave of relief washed over me. A nurse, relieved from the tension, hugged me. "I was afraid things might go wrong, but you've shown your expertise to everyone, Dr. Hailey!"
I phoned Ryan, who praised my quick diagnosis and professional management of acute kidney failure and stroke.
A lawyer to whom Edward had given full authority was waiting for me. Grandpa always called him Tommy, so that was what I called him as well.
"Uncle Tommy, Grandpa is fine," I said.
"I trust in your care for Mr. Aesthete and your medical skills."
Adjusting my collar, the middle-aged man in the suit calmed my anxious heart. Seeing Uncle Tommy eased my worries.
"I knew you were the one who had been handling the family's assets. I thought..."
"You thought I was here to confirm the will?"
With Tommy's professionalism, he wouldn't have said such words to his client's daughter, but he had been working with our family for almost 30 years and saw me grow up. Therefore, he wouldn't worry about too many things.
Seeing that I forced myself to turn around, Uncle Tommy quickly tried to attract my attention.
"Mr. Edward's awake. Do you want to go see him?"
I quickly turned around and saw Grandpa looking at me. The two of us locked gazes. I then pushed open the door and went inside.
Grandpa's gaze was getting cloudy, but I could still make out the love in his eyes. When he saw me come in, he smiled and reached out to grab my hand. His hands were warm but dry, and I could feel the warmth that he was trying to convey.
"Hailey, you're here." His voice was hoarse but warm. I could tell the concern in his every word.
"I'm here, Grandpa." I grabbed his hand, and my eyes were filled with worry and concern. Grandpa's hands felt especially weak in my hands, but I was still comforted by the warmth coming from it.
Grandpa gently patted my hand, worry etched on his face. "I made a mistake," he said, his voice strained. "To protect our family, I kept your parents and you hidden from the world. You're the sole heir to the Aesthete family, my granddaughter, yet you're just a medical intern here..."
I was rendered speechless. Tears welled up in my eyes.
"You've always been protecting me, Grandpa."
Grandpa sighed and continued, "I believe you can handle things with Leo. If you're hesitant due to Ryan's influence or a sense of debt for saving me, let Tommy take care of it. You don't owe them anything. And there's something else I need from you."
Concerned as he coughed from speaking so much, I agreed quickly.
After a brief pause, he spoke softly. "Hailey, the annual Aesthete family Gala is nearing."
I glanced down, biting my lip. "Yes."
"You used to love going with your friends when you were young. You mentioned the great food and how kind the guests were," he mentioned.
"I've grown up, Grandpa..." I muttered.
He sighed, his gaze full of love and worry. "Hailey, I know you fear another health scare for me. Don't worry. I want you to have fun. By then, Ryan will be back, probably he'll complain about you at the hospital."
Touched and saddened, I nodded. "I'll attend it, Grandpa."
Just as I was leaving to discuss Grandpa's condition with the neurology team, he called me back.
"Your birthday is coming, dear."
He mentioned something that I had forgotten. "If my condition improves, I'll bring a gift for you in person. If my condition doesn't improve, Tommy will give you the gift on my behalf. I hope you'll like it."
I turned and looked at Uncle Tommy, who was standing outside the ward. He nodded at me as well.
While walking in the corridor, I heard news about the upcoming Aesthete family Gala on television. Only the elite received invites, and the guest list was a closely guarded secret each year. It was known as a socialite's dream—a sanctuary of wealth and influence built on the Aesthete family's legacy.
Feeling disconnected, I remembered how as a child, I dragged my friends to that glittery event. All I cared about back then was the delicious food and the kind people there. Nothing more.
Tommy walked me to the doctor's office and suddenly asked, "Miss, have you met Mr. Ethan?"
I didn't understand what that meant. Why would Tommy know who my neighbor was? Seeing that I was puzzled, Tommy's smile widened.
"It seems you don't remember the things from when you were little."
With that said, he accompanied me into the office.
Uncle Tommy's words puzzled me, but I knew I couldn't dwell on them. Grandpa's sudden health issue stemmed from his heart bypass surgery, bringing a host of urgent matters to the forefront.Having previously consulted with Dr. Ryan in detail, the medical team had worked tirelessly to manage Edward's condition. Despite their best efforts, a heart transplant remained the optimal, if not sole, solution.I had no spare time or energy for Leo's disruptions. Alongside my daily responsibilities, I juggled contacting various hospitals and health organizations in search of a matching heart for Grandpa. These tasks weighed heavily on me. Immersed in work during the day and fielding polite yet regretful rejections over the phone during meals, I persisted in urging them to continue the search for a suitable heart for the transplant.Leo's pathetic schemes paled in comparison to the urgency of these matters.Whenever I went to see my grandpa's condition, he always rem
Ethan seemed to have a special talent. Whenever he showed up, one could only see him and nothing else.Elisa finally realized that she should keep her cool. It was probably because the man who had his arm wrapped around my waist was way better than the man by her side who didn't know what to do. This made her feel a little embarrassed. Therefore, she threw the coffee cup in her hand away and turned around to leave.Lily clenched her fists and shouted behind Elisa. "You should fucking apologize to Hailey!" I squeezed Lily's hand. "This is not something that a school teacher should say. Watch your language." Lily looked at me in disbelief.I then added, "Hey, Lily, stay cool! There's a handsome guy watching us."Lily and the man behind me shared a look and erupted into laughter. That was when I felt something shaking behind my back. Ethan was chuckling as well.Ethan released his hold on me and remarked, "I'm here to p
The comment caused a commotion in the hall, prompting surprised and curious glances from those nearby.It was surprising that someone recalled such a small incident from two years back. Leo appeared visibly taken aback, but he skillfully concealed his shock. He quickly regained his composure and replied, "I had no genuine feelings for that medical intern. She was impulsive and always forced me to compromise. You know how some women, who achieve nothing and are blindly in love, can act recklessly... I agreed to marry her out of pity. But now, I've found true love with Elisa. I'm ready to be brave for her!"He then concluded, "That medical intern will soon be my ex."The crowd resumed their murmurs. Leo's act had them fooled, and some began to speak ill of the "impulsive medical intern," casting me as the antagonist.Others whispered about Leo and Elisa, while a few approached them, engaging in lively chats.Despite my hesitation to acknowledge it, L
If I ever thought a heart-to-heart could mend things between Leo and me, those naive hopes were now shattered. As I got to know Leo better, trust dwindled. I viewed him and Elisa as detestable figures that needed to vanish from my world.Elisa witnessed Leo's anger—the fury of a man whose claim had been violated. She couldn't fathom Leo's pretense of being a husband to me, fueling her frustration to the brink.Ethan stepped in, grasping Leo's hand as Leo lunged for me, holding on so tight that I thought I heard a snap. Leo paled in pain, eventually releasing his grip. I regarded Leo coolly; his actions no longer had any sway over me."Indeed, we should talk," I addressed Leo. He smirked, but his expression froze as I continued, "Right here."I continued, "It's simple. You cheated on me, I want a divorce, and you agreed. Anything else?"Leo panicked, seizing my hand hastily. "Divorce? Why? We never...""You just said you'd be brave for once,
"Could we meet later, Duncan? Maybe around 3:30 in the afternoon?" I inquired politely."Sure thing. What's the meeting about?" he asked."He's been cheating on me. I want to file for a divorce." My emotions transitioned from anger to urgency, then to a composed demeanor. "Got it," Duncan responded succinctly. "I'll see you at 3:30."Although I had a lawyer appointment at 3:30, I decided to stop by the bank first. I needed to check our family trust account and close the account Leo had been using.There was a long queue at the bank. The concierge staff scrutinized clients with sharp eyes. My worn-out T-shirt and cheap handbag clearly didn't meet their standards. With time to spare before 3:30, I chose to wait in line. Finally, it was my turn. The teller inquired, "How can I assist you today, ma'am?""I'd like to close my account," I stated.Such requests didn't benefit the bank and dampened the teller's enthusiasm. "Alright," he reluctantly agreed to assist me i
Hailey's POVI'm Hailey, a 28-year-old medical intern. Little do people know, I'm the sole inheritor of the Aesthete family.I lost my parents at a young age. Memories of them were blurry, mostly them calling me their little princess. After their departure, my grandfather Edward became my pillar. His shaky embrace and the thought that I might never see the two people who loved me most in this world lingered with me.Ever since, my main concern had been my grandfather's well-being. A few years ago, his heart issues worsened. Opting to be a cardiac surgeon proved a fortuitous choice, allowing me to stay by his side and tend to him. Each successful recovery post-surgery brought solace. My sole focus was my grandfather's health, as he was my sole kin. Hence, I remained a medical intern; I knew advancing to an attending physician would entail more obligations and less time for him.Yet, life's trials extended beyond the hospital and my grandfather—there was also my marriage.
Ethan's POV"I want to see her." I'd repeated this sentence countless times since my return to Idalia at 16. My siblings never took me seriously. They couldn't fathom that my mother, the scorned "mistress," had sent me to the US when I was 5, where I was connected to Edward, the head of the Aesthete family. Had they known, they might have wished for my demise during that flight to the US. They would have whispered my name at the Christmas table, masking their smirks behind false sympathy.However, it was Edward I encountered first.My only skill was fighting. So when Edward inquired about my abilities, I promptly replied, "I'm Sicily's finest fighter, Sir."His eyes crinkled with amusement. "How old are you, kiddo?"I proudly declared my age as five."Well, young lad, would you like a new responsibility? Your mother entrusted me with your care before her passing. It seems you're quite capable of looking out for yourself."With a sense of pride, I stood tall. "Ye
Hailey's POVAs the door swung open, a hushed silence befell us. I took a step to the side, allowing Ethan to enter without a word. Accustomed to seeing Ethan donning a bright smile, his serious gaze now felt both unfamiliar and dangerously alluring."I brought wine," he murmured in a low tone, presenting a bottle of red wine. His eyes roamed from my forehead to my eyes and then to my lips. My heart raced, and my breath hitched as our gazes locked once more."Just one bottle?" I inquired.His unwavering gaze met mine as he replied suggestively, "I can fetch more if you'd like."My tolerance for alcohol remained dismal. By the time the bottle was drained, I found myself barefoot with a wine glass in hand, transitioning from the sofa to the floor-to-ceiling window."I remember how much of a little troublemaker you were when we were kids," I remarked, settling by the window with my robe loosely draped, fixating on my complaints. "You'd ignore my pleas, show off in front of the