Chapter 6 Stirred by Love, Shameless Ex
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Houston held her tightly and murmured. “If you don’t want to go public with us just yet, I’ll respect that. But in private. shouldn’t you at least call me “hubby?”
Rose blushed so hard her heart almost burst out of her chest.
“1” she stammered, unable to finish.
Houston looked down at her flustered face and couldn’t help but chuckle.
He’d been surrounded by bold, flashy women for years–women who chased him without shame. But Rose’s soft, shy demeanor? That was something rare. Precious.
He let her go without pressing. “Don’t forget to think about me.”
Rose nodded. “Okay”
Houston gave her one last look, then got in the car and drove off.
She stood there, palms still covering her burning cheeks, cursing herself. Why didn’t I just call him hubby? He is my husband, after
Her three–day holiday was over. The next day, she returned to work.
At the entrance of the psych department, she ran into her supervisor, Dr. Noel Carter, who was rushing toward the conference room but stopped when he spotted her.
“Dr. Marshall,” he said with a hint of hesitation, “we’ve got a new PhD intern. Admin’s keeping a close eye on him. You know we’re short–staffed–if he performs well, they’re planning to offer him a permanent spot. I’d like you to mentor him.”
Rose gave a calm nod. “Sure.”
She had an awkward status in the department–unmatched in both expertise and reputation, yet still just a regular attending physician. No overseas degree, no connections. Just pure skill. And yet, whenever a knowledge problem popped up. management always turned to her.
Noel walked a few steps, then suddenly turned back. “Oli, right–he’s twenty–nine, male, handsome, and brilliant. Honestly. we all think you’d make a good match. Ever consider not being single!
Rose froze. Back when she dated Ethan, he never once came to her workplace. No wonder Noel assumed she was single.
“Dr. Carter, I’m engaged,” she said, choosing her words carefully. She had no intention of explaining her surprise marriage.
Noel blinked. “Oh I see” He scratched his head, clearly embarrassed.
Rose let out a quiet breath of relief.
As Noel disappeared down the hallway, she turned toward her office–and stopped cold.
There, standing in the dim corridor in a white coat, was Ethan.
Tall and thin, he stared at her with a shadowed, unreadable expression.
In a sudden flash of clarity, she realized the intern Noel had mentioned, was him
Ethan’s low voice echoed through the empty hallway, tinged with anger. “Rose, how could you just abandon my mom and sister at the hospital? You know they didn’t have the money to pay. Do you know how panicked they were?”
She stood frozen, stunned.
She wanted to walk past him and never look back. But her savings were still with him. That alone forced her to hold back the disgust and step closer.
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Chapter 6 Stirred by Love, Shameless Ex
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“Ethan, on what grounds do you think you get to scold me? I’m nothing to you anymore. Your mom’s medical bills? Why should they come out of my pocket?”
Ethan hadn’t expected this. The Rose he used to know would’ve accepted it all without a fight. This version–fierce. calculating–threw him off.
“Even if you were heartless enough to dump them, I still appreciate that you brought my mom in. I don’t like owing anyone favors. So.. are you free tonight? Vivian and I want to treat you to dinner.”
e sarcasm in his voice was thick.
The
Rose rolled her eyes so hard she almost saw her brain. “If you’ve got money for dinner, how about paying me back first?”
Ethan’s tone turned sour. “Why are you so obsessed with money now? We were together ten years–was it all just about money? Stop bringing it up every time you see me. I’ve started my internship. Once I get a salary, the first thing I’ll do is pay you back
Rose snapped. “What else do we have besides money?” She stormed off, face dark.
But Ethan called after her. “Rose-”
She paused, part of her still foolishly hoping for something.
When she turned around, she instantly regretted it.
“I’m serious about Vivian. We’re getting engaged soon. So I hope you understand–we’re never getting back together. Stop telling people I’m your fiance. I don’t want Vivian getting the wrong idea.”
Rose let out a sharp laugh.
“Don’t flatter yourself. My fiancé has nothing to do with you.”
A flicker of doubt crossed Ethan’s face. “Don’t tell me… you’ve already found someone else? Rose, that’s not like you”
Ethan had always seen her as the loyal, devoted type. She was–right up until he betrayed her.
She stared at him, heart twisted in bitterness. This man knew how deeply she loved, and he still chose to betray her
“You know what, Ethan? I f*cking regret ever meeting you.
She walked off without looking back.
–
During lunch break, Rose got held up treating a patient and missed the cafeteria hours. She planned to grab some cheap noodles outside–she hated noodles, but she just needed something in her stomach.
But before she could leave, a stream of deliveries started arriving
One after another, delivery workers came into her office: roses, a warm lunch, gourmet fruit snacks for later. Her desk was quickly covered.
The spectacle caught the attention of her coworkers–and Ethan, who happened to be nearby.
“Dr. Marshall, your admirer sure went all out,” someone teased.
“Well, who can blame him? Dr. Marshall’s gorgeous, elegant, kind.. guys would line up around Crestview just for a chance”
Ethan’s face darkened. The flowers were an eyesore.
He’d never given Rose anything this extravagant. She wasn’t the flashy type–she’d always been serious, practical She probably hated this kind of thing right?
But then he saw her pull out one of the cards.
He didn’t know what it said, but for the first time in forever, he saw her smile. A real one–sweet, a little shy, radiant.
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Chapter 6 Stirred by Love, Shameless Ex
He’d never seen Rose look like that. So soft. So beautiful.
Then her colleague, Gisselle Young, snatched the card from her hand and read it aloud-
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