Chapter 9 Not Ready, He Respects Her
“Do you want this?”
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Houston’s low, seductive voice vibrated in his throat–but in the end, he only pulled the robe tightly around her. Her body instantly stiffened like a bow pulled taut.
Rose, you’re not ready. You’re nervous, he said gently.
Rose burned with frustration. This damned guarded nature of hers–wasn’t that exactly what had made her lose Ethan? She didn’t want to fall into the same trap again.
Houston picked her up and carried her upstairs. He placed her gently on the bed, kissed her forehead, and said, “Rose, I know how you feel. But don’t force yourself. I’ll wait.”
She stared at him, dazed.
room. Call me if you need
He tucked her under the covers. “It’s late. Just stay here tonight, don’t go back. I’ll be in the next ro anything.”
Rose nodded obediently.
But once in bed, sleep wouldn’t come. Restless, she sat up and aimlessly scrolled through news articles on her phone.
Then, her best friend–Selina Wade–called her nonstop.
Sighing, Rose picked up.
“Rose,” Selina’s voice blazed with anger, “what is going on with you and Ethan? At the class reunion tonight, he told everyone you two broke up ages ago because the long–distance wore your love thin. He claimed Vivian helped him through his darkest days, and that’s how they ended up together. Everyone believed him! Now they think you were the one being immature and unreasonable
She paused, then added sharply, “Rose, I know you. You’re loyal and stubborn to a fault. There’s no way you were the one to walk away.”
Kose leaned back against the headboard, resigned. “Selina, Ethan is dead to me now. Don’t mention him again.”
Once, Ethan’s name brought her nothing but joy. Now, it brought only bitter disappointment.
Selina caught the hint “You just deleted all your photos of him this morning. So you guys only broke up recently, didn’t you?”
Rose didn’t deny it.
Ethan wasn’t a child–le needed to take responsibility for his own choices.
Selina exploded. “Vivian’s at least five months along. That jerk cheated on you and still spun the story to make it look like your fault? Does he even have a conscience?”
She calmed herself and asked gently, “Rose are you okay? Want me to move in for a while? Keep you company?”
“I’m fine, Rose said quietly.
She suddenly remembered what Houston had told her: You only lost someone who didn T love you.
Selina sighed. “You dodged a bullet. With your future! You don’t need to be dragging around some loser like Ethan. Be real- he was never on your level. Thirty years old, nothing to his name, morals in the gutter. You spent ten years holding him up and made the whole Walker family look good for free. Guys like him? Life always catches up.”
Rose gave a bitter smile. “I still hope he ends up well. At least that would mean my judgment wasn’t entirely terrible
“You’re too kind. Selina muttered
The next morning, Rose woke up to find Houston already gone.
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Chapter 9 Not Ready, He Respects Her
He had left her a note: “Rose, by the time you read this, I’m probably on the plane. So here’s an early good morning Breakfast is in the warmer. Please eat on time. Also, since you don’t have any spare clothes, I picked up two dresses for you. Hope you like them.”
On the couch sat a small mountain of boxes.
Inside were two elegant, feminine dresses–along with matching handbags and accessories.
Rose’s heart filled with warmth. Houston’s quiet thoughtfulness washed over her like spring rain, cleansing the grime Ethan had left behind.
She texted him back: “Thank you for the gifts. I really like them. But with your kindness and generosity, how could I ever repay you?”
After breakfast, she put on the rose–pink dress with the sharp collar, slipped on the delicate gemstone jewelry, and instantly looked like a brand new woman.
Soft but strong.
Elegant, yet still innocent enough to seem like the girl next door.
She grabbed a white shoulder bag and rushed off to the hospital.
Today was her turn to follow Dr. Noel and the other physicians on rounds, so she had to arrive thirty minutes earlier than usual.
But since she wasn’t familiar with the new route, she barely made it on time.
As she stepped into the department, dressed in her civilian clothes, all eyes were on her. Even the typically stone–faced Dr. Noel couldn’t help teasing:
“Psychologists should all dress like Dr. Marshall. Graceful, professional, and full of energy. If our patients saw her walk in like this, their depression might vanish on the spot,”
Gisselle chimed in with a grin, ‘Sure, Dr. Noel. Rose looks amazing today. But the rest of us poor office drones still have rent to pay. That outfit she’s wearing? Probably costs more than a few months‘ salary.
Dr Noel’s eyes widened. “It’s that expensive?”
Gisselle nodded. “Guaranteed. That dress is from Paventon’s top–tier luxury line.”
Ethan, skulking in the group, listened with a sour expression.
He hadn’t expected that just days after their breakup, Rose’s lifestyle would leap to a whole new level.
Just then, Kose jogged over in her white coat. Gisselle raised her brows. “Dr. Marshall, looking like that–are you sure you
don’t have a hot date today?”
Rose shook her head. Her husband was overseas. Pho would she even dater
Ethan glanced at her, thisreading her appearance entirely. A knowing smile tugged at his lips. She must be dressed up for me.
“Let’s begin,” Noel said. Instantly, the team got back into work mode and headed toward the patient rooms.
In psych, rounds were all about communication. Doctors had to speak with patients, evaluate mental states, and build trust.
Ethan, trying to stand out, took every cluance to talk to patients like he was one of them.
He paid special attention to one particularly picky VIP–an older woman with money and a sharp tongue. Ethan coddled her endlessly, even promised her he’d personally cure her
The woman beamed under the attention.
Then, Ethan pushed Rose forward. “Madam, this is Dr. Ruse–our most empathetic psychologist. With her helping you, I’m sure you’ll get better in no time.”
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Chapter 9 Not Ready, He Respects Her
Offering her u
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Rose glared at him. She hated how he’d use anything and anyone just to climb the ladder.
Coldly, she snapped. “Ethan, what the hell are you doing? Since when does an intern get to assign my responsibilities?”
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