Chapter 5.

Selene:

I never imagined I'd find myself facing Maximus Hemsworth. The man who turned my world upside down. The one who broke my heart and left me feeling abandoned and alone.

He's stunned, speechless, as he sees me. But I’ve already built my walls. I was a fool once, but I won’t make that mistake again.

I promised myself that when fate brought Maximus and me back together, I wouldn’t let my heart betray me. I won’t be that naive girl anymore. The one swept up in an arranged marriage, falling in love with him while he gave nothing in return.

I’m stronger now, more determined than ever. And what I want? It’s no longer Maximus Hemsworth.

When I hear that his mother is in the hospital, I’m tempted to walk away, to refuse to treat her. After everything, I have no obligation to help. This woman made my life a nightmare. She never accepted me, always seeing me as nothing more than a gold digger.

She constantly threw it in my face, reminding me that the only reason I was with Maximus was for his money. She humiliated me every chance she got.

And when I couldn’t give him a child, she made sure to look down on me, as if that was all I was good for.

This is pure karma, and I’m loving every moment of it. The distressed look on her face is so satisfying.

None of them would ever expect Selene Norman to be the one to help them out.

"Selene?! Oh my god, you’re Dr. Andrea! I haven’t seen you in years. I—"

I ignore Maximus, not caring about whatever he wants to say. I’m not in the mood to entertain him.

I’m still standing next to Cecelia, who’s staring at me in complete shock. The urge to yell at her is almost overwhelming. I want to taunt her for all the years she made my life hell, but I know that would be a waste of time.

My fight isn’t with her—it’s with her son.

“The patient’s name is Cecilia Hemsworth. She passed out. We’ve run some tests, but she insists on seeing the most skilled doctor we have. Here’s her medical chart, Dr. Andrea.”

I stare at the chart the nurse holds out to me.

No matter what she’s done, I’m a doctor, and it’s my duty to save lives, even if I hate the patient.

“You passed out from exhaustion and dehydration, Mrs. Hemsworth. I recommend you take a break from any strenuous activities and avoid stressing yourself too much. Stay hydrated to prevent this from happening again. One wrong move, and you could end up back in this hospital. I’ll have the nurse give you some IV fluids—they’ll help restore your energy.”

I close the chart in my hands.

Throughout my years as a doctor, I’ve never lacked empathy when speaking to a patient. I always make them feel at ease, no matter how small or serious their ailment. But with Maximus’s mother, I couldn’t care less if she passed out from a stroke.

I can’t stand the way she keeps staring at me. I know she has a lot to say, but she’s too stunned to speak.

I recognize that look in her eyes. Shame and embarrassment.

“Selene, I know I’m in no position to beg for your forgiveness after everything I put you through, but I’m truly sorry.” She lets out a deep sigh, glances at Maximus, then back to me. “I guess I was blinded by anger. I never saw what a rare gem you are. I thought you weren’t good enough for my son, but I was wrong. It hasn’t been the same since you left.”

“You treated me like a mother, even though I kept pushing you away. I said so many hurtful things to you that I regret to this day, five years ago."

"I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. And I’m not just saying this because I’m lying in a hospital bed."

She tries to reach for my hand, but I pull back, as if her touch is contagious.

The hurt is clear on her face. Now she understands exactly how I felt all those years ago when I stood outside their house, pleading for them to listen.

I’m going to make them feel what I felt. A simple apology isn’t going to move me.

I press my lips into a thin line before parting them to speak. “I don’t know who you think I am. My name is Dr. Andrea, ma’am. I don’t know who Selene is, and honestly, I don’t care to know. You’re just a patient in my hospital, anyways.”

“The only reason I treated you is because I’m a doctor, and I never turn away patients.” I glare at her.

She looks taken aback by my words, clearly not expecting me to say that. What did she think? That I’m still the same Selene who begged her son not to divorce her? The Selene they tossed out of their house like garbage?

I glance at her son, who’s been quiet the entire time, before deciding to leave the room. I don’t want to spend another minute with these people.

Seeing them brings back too many memories, and I’m not about to cry. I won’t let them see me weak.

I’m done crying over Maximus. My life is perfect now. I’m happy where I am. I’m finally living my dream job and raising two adorable kids who mean the world to me. I don’t need Maximus ruining everything I’ve worked for.

“Selene, please, let’s talk.”

I roll my eyes when Maximus suddenly grabs my forearm, stopping me from taking another step into the hallway.