Chapter 9

Post-surgery, according to protocol, I needed to stay in the observation room for an hour.

Seeing that all my vital signs were good.

Julian's composed expression returned.

The entire space was left with just him and me.

Aside from the brief conversation at the hospital clinic after the car accident.

We hadn't been together for more than an hour in a very long time.

He whispered in my ear, "I never thought these hands would one day perform surgery on you, Audrey."

My anesthetic wore off quickly.

That was thanks to the System's settings.

I opened my eyes and mocked him.

"I never thought your hands would one day peel shrimp for someone else."

In this world, I was an orphan, just like him.

I earned my tuition bit by bit.

I remembered when we first graduated.

We were so poor we couldn't even afford a washing machine.

Southern winters were damp and bitingly cold.

Every time I washed clothes, my fingers would turn bright red from the cold, but I never let him touch the water.

"No need for you here. Your hands are for holding scalpels, for saving more lives and families."

"Audrey, do you have a filter for doctors or something?"

"Yes."

In my original world, doctors had saved my life too.

"Okay, I promise I won't let your admiration down, Audrey."

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Julian seemed to be choked by my words.

After a long while, he sighed softly.

"Audrey, Scarlett is dying. Can you please, not hold a grudge against her?"

I chuckled, "I'm dying too. Why shouldn't I hold a grudge against her?"

Julian's eyes instantly darkened.

"You won't die. Don't you trust my skills?"

Perhaps realizing I was now also a patient.

His voice softened a bit.

"When did you get this illness?"

"The day you asked for a divorce, and didn't believe I would disappear."

He was choked up again, so he changed the subject.

"I know you care about your looks, so I stitched the incision beautifully. The scar will be very light."

I didn't respond.

The silence in the air became so thick it made him uncomfortable.

He wanted to say something else.

Chloe, the nurse, came in. "Dr. Hayes, your phone has been ringing off the hook."

"Audrey, I need to take this call."

After a while, Julian returned, his expression somewhat awkward.

"Audrey, I have an urgent matter to attend to. I'll have the nurse take good care of you."

Of course, I knew what he was going to do.

His original plan was to divorce me this morning.

And then, in the afternoon, have a garden wedding with Scarlett Reid.

Dr. Hayes, truly quite the time management expert, he was busy.

"Julian Hayes, I have less than two hours left in this world."

"Are you sure you don't want to say your final goodbyes to me?"

Honestly, I didn't want to spend much more time with him either.

But if he stayed.

It would be his last small gesture of sincerity towards our years of shared feelings and marriage.

Then I, too, would have been more understanding.

Easing his guilt just a little.

But he didn't want to.

Julian stood up, and even after three hours of intense surgery, he still looked energetic and graceful.

The frantic emotion he'd shown when he realized I was his patient had vanished completely.

"Audrey, after you recover, I'll personally schedule you for a therapy session."

That composed, non-negotiable tone.

Honestly, I really disliked it.

I let out a cold laugh, "Dr. Hayes, I hope you don't regret this."

Julian's expression was calm, as if he thought I was just acting out.

He glanced at me, a slight smile playing on his lips, "I won't."

"Audrey, you need to rest now."

With that, he disappeared through the door.

Because his phone, in his pocket, had been ringing with urgent calls for him.

By now, his wedding should be bustling with guests.

Scarlett Reid probably couldn't wait any longer.

I felt a sense of release.

Julian Hayes, this was your choice.