2
My hand, clutching the papers, was slick with sweat. It’s just a coincidence, I told myself, a simple mix–up of
names.
But when I returned to the hospital, I found my colleagues gathered around, each holding a small box of wedding candy. They were showering Chloe with congratulations on her marriage.
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And Ethan… Ethan was leaning against the far wall, a soft, tender smile on his face as he watched the girl at
the center of the crowd.
In that moment, it felt like a scalpel had plunged straight into my heart. The pain was so sharp I couldn’t bre-
athe.
He turned, and his eyes met mine. He saw the tears welling up, the crimson blush of betrayal on my face, but there wasn’t a flicker of sympathy in his expression. Just a cool, detached inquiry.
“You’re back already? Did you get it signed?”
My gaze swept over the laughing crowd, then back to him. I slapped the documents against his chest.
“Which one are you talking about?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Mine? Or Chloe’s?”
My accusation made him frown. “Can we talk about this at home? I’ll explain everything. Everyone’s having a
good time right now. Don’t make a scene and ruin the mood.”
A scene? Ruin the mood?
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. I couldn’t believe it. The man who was whispering “my wife” in my ear just a few nights ago was now standing here, humiliating me.
Perhaps my laughter stung him, because a flash of guilt crossed his face. He softened his tone. “Look, I’m
sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t overthink things.”
surgery now
He glanced at his watch. “I have a I’ll come to your office as soon as I’m done, okay, Audrey?” He reached out, his hand gently patting my arm in a placating gesture.
I flinched away, wiping the corner of my eye with the back of my hand as I turned to leave.
“Fine,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Ethan started to call after me, but he stopped himself.
I waited in my office, staring blankly at a patient’s chart, the words blurring into meaningless shapes. I don’t
know how much time passed before a knock came at the door.
“Come in.”
Ethan entered, holding a cup of coffee. “Brought you this. I heard you have a long surgery later. This should
help.”
I glanced at the cup. It was blank. No note. I gave a quiet “mmhmm.”
“Chloe is my junior from medical school,” he began, his voice earnest. “Her family is very traditional, and
they’ve been pressuring her to get married. A few days ago, her mother threatened to kill herself over it. She
asked me to help her out, just for a little while.”
He paused, watching my reaction. “I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d misunderstand.”
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And Ethan… Ethan was leaning against the far wall, a soft, tender smile on his face as he watched the girl at the center of the crowd.
In that moment, it felt like a scalpel had plunged straight into my heart. The pain was so sharp I couldn’t bre-
athe.
He turned, and his eyes met mine. He saw the tears welling up, the crimson blush of betrayal on my face, but there wasn’t a flicker of sympathy in his expression. Just a cool, detached inquiry.
“You’re back already? Did you get it signed?”
My gaze swept over the laughing crowd, then back to him. I slapped the documents against his chest.
“Which one are you talking about?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Mine? Or Chloe’s?”
My accusation made him frown. “Can we talk about this at home? I’ll explain everything. Everyone’s having a good time right now. Don’t make a scene and ruin the mood.”
A scene? Ruin the mood?
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. I couldn’t believe it. The man who was whispering “my wife” in my ear just a few nights ago was now standing here, humiliating me.
Perhaps my laughter stung him, because a flash of guilt crossed his face. He softened his tone. “Look, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t overthink things.”
He glanced at his watch. “I have a surgery now. I’ll come to your office as soon as I’m done, okay, Audrey?” He reached out, his hand gently patting my arm in a placating gesture.
I flinched away, wiping the corner of my eye with the back of my hand as I turned to leave.
“Fine,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Ethan started to call after me, but he stopped himself.
I waited in my office, staring blankly at a patient’s chart, the words blurring into meaningless shapes. I don’t know how much time passed before a knock came at the door.
“Come in.”
Ethan entered, holding a cup of coffee. “Brought you this. I heard you have a long surgery later. This should
help.”
I glanced at the cup. It was blank. No note. I gave a quiet “mmhmm.”
“Chloe is my junior from medical school,” he began, his voice earnest. “Her family is very traditional, and they’ve been pressuring her to get married. A few days ago, her mother threatened to kill herself over it. She asked me to help her out, just for a little while.”
He paused, watching my reaction. “I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d misunderstand.”
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I sipped the coffee, listening in silence. Finally, I asked, “So, you two are legally married?”
He hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. Seeing the look on my face, he rushed to explain.
“Don’t worry. As soon as I meet her parents and they’re satisfied, we’ll get a divorce. Chloe’s not the clingy
type. She promised.”
He sounded so sincere, but the whole story was just… insane. I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
Seeing my continued silence, he reached into the pocket of his white coat and pulled out a small box. He dropped to one knee, his eyes locked on mine.
“Trust me, Audrey. You’re the only one I love.” His voice was a low, desperate plea. “I know this is hard on
you. But once this is all over, I promise I’ll give you the grandest wedding you’ve ever seen.”
Before I could even think to refuse, he slid a diamond ring onto my finger. Then he took out the matching
band and put it on his own.
The brilliant sparkle on my hand seemed to calm the storm in my heart, just a little.
Maybe… maybe he really was just helping a friend.
