Chapter 1

Denise, the head nurse, was walking behind me. When she caught the look on my face, she asked carefully, "Dr. Grantham, is something wrong?

"Is there... a problem with the men's health clinic?"

I forced back the coppery taste rising in my throat and pulled myself together.

"No, nothing. I've seen enough of the layout here."

I glanced at my watch.

"It's getting late. Let's wrap up today's walkthrough.

"Go ahead and get back to work. Have the inspection report on my desk this afternoon."

With that, I practically fled toward the elevators.

I was afraid that if I stayed one more second, I'd lose control, storm in there, and confront that man.

Back in my office, I locked the door.

The composure I'd been forcing collapsed the moment it closed behind me.

I never thought Vivienne would actually come back.

My mind drifted back ten years, whether I wanted it to or not.

At school, Miles had been practically worshiped, and Vivienne was the darling everyone adored.

The whole school agreed they were made for each other.

But right when they were most in love, Vivienne left the country without a word of warning.

Miles's whole world fell apart.

I was the one who stayed by his side—as nothing more than a friend—and helped him work through it.

It took me three years before he finally looked at me as more than that.

That night, he smiled and said, "Lydia, will you go out with me?"

I thought I could become the person he leaned on.

Only now did I understand. I'd just been a piece of driftwood he grabbed onto to keep from drowning after his heartbreak.

I gave a bitter laugh at my own expense.

On our wedding night, he'd been rough, and the pain got so bad that I shoved him away.

When we turned on the light, I was bleeding.

Thankfully, it wasn't serious. He waited on me hand and foot for a week, and I healed.

But afterward, whenever I tried to get close to him, he'd lower his head in embarrassment and say he couldn't perform.

My heart ached for him. I figured that night had frightened him too.

So I hired top specialists in men's health to treat him. I even bought him the luxury watches and cars he loved, just to see him smile.

Only today did I learn that the man I'd been so careful to protect was a liar through and through.

Maybe I'd heard wrong?

An absurd thought surfaced in my mind.

Or maybe he'd just been joking with the doctor?

He loved me. He loved our home. How could he ever do something like this?

I couldn't believe the man who'd shared my bed for six months would deceive me so cruelly.

I was desperate to know the truth, so I called him.

Miles's voice came through, a little tired. "Hello? What is it?"

The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I hesitated. "Miles, I... I have an emergency surgery tonight. I might be home late."

"Oh. Okay."

His tone was cold.

I paused, then tested the waters. "I heard... Is Vivienne coming back soon?"

There were several seconds of silence on the other end.

Then his voice turned guarded. "Who told you that?"

My heart sank like a stone. His reaction had already given me my answer.

"No one. I think somebody mentioned it at the last class reunion."

I made up an excuse on the spot.

"Oh."

Miles sounded relieved. "Really? I wouldn't know. We haven't been in touch for years."

"All right. Get some rest," I said.

Then I hung up in a hurry.

The office was eerily quiet.

If I hadn't heard that conversation with my own ears today, I would've believed every word he said, just like countless times before.

But now, his words were seared into my brain like a brand, burning over and over.