Chapter 2

Ryan immediately got me a private room.

"We need to observe you for a few days."

He handed me warm water, the pills resting in the bottle cap.

"The wound might get infected, so be extra careful these next few days..."

He spoke at length.

I didn't respond.

His voice was very soft.

"I'll buy you your favorite macarons, okay?"

Seeing I still didn't react, he stood for a moment, then turned and left.

When he returned, he was carrying macarons and a box of sliced fruit.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway, and several doctors in white coats stopped at the doorway.

The one leading peeked in and smiled.

"Well, Dr. Miller, you're here even earlier than us?"

Ryan's ears turned slightly red, and he pressed his lips together.

"Heard you arranged an operating room for a family member in the middle of the night yesterday, that's against regulations, isn't it?"

Another person winked at him.

Even though he knew they were teasing, he explained seriously.

"Everyone was busy yesterday, it was an urgent matter, so I used my discretion. But if the hospital decides to take action, I'll cooperate fully."

Everyone burst into laughter, then, understanding the situation, left.

He lowered his head, ears bright red, not daring to look at me.

He was like this the first time he confessed his feelings to me.

He was like this the first time he held my hand.

He was like this when he said 'I do' at our wedding.

How wonderful those times were.

I closed my eyes, curling up in the blanket.

He called my name a few times, but I ignored him. He just stayed by my side.

As I drifted into a drowsy state, I heard someone push the door open.

Their voice was cheerful.

"Dr. Miller, I'm here to apologize to Lily. Yesterday really wasn't on purpose, I was just so nervous. With you watching, Dr. Miller, my hands were shaking."

I cracked my eyes open, looking in the direction of the voice.

I saw Ryan grabbing her arm, trying to push her out.

"Who let you in?"

"The door was open."

She took a step closer, almost pressing against his chest.

"And I genuinely want to apologize... You snapped at me yesterday, I went home and cried all night."

As she spoke, she raised her hand, her fingertips subtly brushing against Ryan's name tag on his chest.

Under his white coat, he was wearing a thin, dark grey shirt today.

"Chloe."

Ryan's voice was deep and low, a warning.

"Hmm?"

She leaned in even closer, her lips almost touching his ear, whispering.

"Dr. Miller, your heart is beating so fast..."

I pushed myself up to a sitting position on the bed.

"Why don't you two go outside? Or perhaps I should leave and make the bed available for you."

Ryan abruptly pushed her away.

Chloe stumbled back a couple of steps and landed hard on the floor.

"Ryan, you—"

Her eyes immediately welled up.

"Get out."

Ryan's voice was icy.

Chloe scrambled up, shot me a furious glare, and ran out, covering her face.

Ryan stood rooted to the spot, his back to me.

His shoulders rose and fell a few times before he finally turned around.

"Lily, I..."

"My apologies for interrupting your little make-out session with your mistress."

I lay back down, turning my back to him.

He stood there for a long time.

Then his phone vibrated.

He didn't answer the first time.

On the fourth ring, he picked it up.

"Hello?"

Crying came from the receiver, intermittent and starkly clear in the quiet hospital room.

"I got hit, that old guy on the motorcycle, he won't let me leave. Dr. Miller, I'm scared."

Ryan was silent.

"Can you please come? Just by the hospital's back entrance, please."

The crying grew louder, and there was a man's angry shouting in the background.

Ryan silently hung up the phone and glanced at me.

He walked to the bedside and called out softly.

"Lily? I'm going out for a bit, I'll be right back. She's my colleague, after all..."

As he spoke, his phone rang again in his pocket.

He hung up again.

Then I heard the doorknob press down.

Ten minutes later, I pulled out my IV needle and checked myself out.

The wound on my knee hadn't healed yet.

But that pain, it didn't matter anymore.