Chapter 2

Seeing her take out a tourniquet, the man sat down.

She unwrapped the silk scarf from her bag, secured it above his wound, then added the tourniquet with a slip knot, using a pen to tighten it.

With practiced ease, Kaylee pressed her fingers against his brachial artery. "If you can't reach a hospital, loosen the pen every forty minutes for five minutes, then tighten it again."

Only then did she notice his unbuttoned shirt. In the dim light, his muscled physique was clearly defined, his chest rising with each heavy breath. A harsh scar ran from his shoulder to his back - an old wound that would never fade. Another lighter scar marked his abdomen.

Before she could look away, he stood and pulled his clothes together, fastening just two buttons with his bloodied hand. Then he grabbed her wrist as she reached for her bag.

"What are you doing?"

Kaylee looked up into his dark eyes and felt something cool drop into her palm.

His calloused fingers closed around hers as he said hoarsely, "Until we meet again, Miss Lawson."

Then he was gone.

Kaylee stared at the cufflink in her palm, suddenly realizing he had known her name!

She rushed out, but the dimly lit hallway was empty, only the scent of blood lingering in the air.

Leaving the bar, she called her best friend Wendy Watson before heading back to Alex's villa.

While he was out, she packed her things. The villa was filled with expensive luxuries, designer clothes - but those were all Alex's. Her belongings filled just one small bedroom: some clothes, shoes, toiletries, and her medical textbooks.

An hour later, everything was packed and the room restored. As she carried the last stack of books out, Wendy pulled up.

"Planning a six-month cold war with Alex?" Wendy asked, eyeing the pile of books.

"No, this time I'm breaking up with him for good." Kaylee loaded another stack into the trunk.

Wendy knew her friend. Through all their fights, Kaylee had only ever talked about cooling off. She'd never mentioned breaking up. If she was saying it now, she meant it.

Helping with the suitcase, Wendy said, "I totally support you. Stay at my place as long as you want!"

—

The next morning, Alex was awakened by his alarm clock, head throbbing from last night's drinking.

Walking to his walk-in closet, he immediately spotted two perfectly coordinated suits hanging in the first wardrobe.

Kaylee had picked them out. Alex had never been good at coordinating outfits. For years, she'd chosen his clothes for different occasions, even preparing labeled outfits for his business trips.

In Alex's mind, regardless of his feelings for her, Kaylee was the perfect wife material. He knew that no matter who else he dated, she was the only one he'd eventually marry.

She was a pushover. Threatening to break up yesterday, yet here she was today - back to picking his clothes and making breakfast.

Alex went downstairs after getting dressed.

"Mr. Morgan, your breakfast is ready. Would you like me to serve it now?" Marianne, the housekeeper, emerged from the kitchen.

"Marianne?" Alex frowned. "Where's Kaylee?"

For four years, unless she had night shifts, Kaylee had always prepared his breakfast. As the eldest Morgan grandson, Alex was pampered about his food. Kaylee had memorized all his preferences, creating varied breakfast menus.

"Miss Lawson messaged me around midnight to prepare your breakfast today," Marianne hesitated. "She said she won't be living here anymore. If you need daily breakfast service, I can come earlier."

Alex's expression darkened.

"You'll live here from now on," he paused. "Clean out the downstairs room and make breakfast for two."

Alex checked his watch. 8:37 AM.

He'd give Kaylee twelve hours. If she didn't contact him by 8:30 PM, Lucy would become the new lady of the house.

-

Busy at the hospital, Kaylee had no idea about this deadline.

During those twelve hours, she assisted in two surgeries.

At eight, Wendy's car was waiting, heading straight for their reserved restaurant.

They poured wine, and Wendy raised her glass. "Here's to leaving that jerk and embracing single life!" She eyed Kaylee suspiciously. "You're serious this time, right? I'll be angry if you pack up and go back after one phone call!"

"Never again," Kaylee said firmly.

Wendy relaxed. "I'm so happy for you. I never liked Alex anyway. He's got no real skills, only surviving on his uncle's influence. Even if you owe the Morgans, it's not worth sacrificing your future."

"The hospital just gave out mid-year bonuses. After the year-end bonus, I can repay them everything."

Kaylee kept a notebook tracking every expense since third grade. Though she'd earned scholarships through top grades and supported herself with internships in college, the Morgan family had still spent about $170,000 on her.

"Oh, don't bother - I can lend you the money," Wendy offered.

"No need, I've almost saved enough."

The friends enjoyed their meal until nearly eleven. As they reached the street, three black cars pulled up across the road.

"Look!" Wendy exclaimed, pointing at the middle car. "That's the limited edition Bentley from last year - there's only one in the country!"