Chapter 2

My scalpel slipped during surgery, slicing into my own wrist.

Even then, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I'd asked my colleague multiple times if it could be a coincidence—a case of someone with the same name. But she insisted: in this region, he was the only person with the surname Maynard.

After the operation, I forced down my anger and rushed to the site. I needed to confront Scott.

But the moment I arrived, I saw him placing a flower crown on Piper's head. She was wearing the only white dress I owned, her cheeks tinged with a bashful blush under the sunlight.

A crowd gathered around them, singing unfamiliar blessings in a language I couldn't understand.

They danced together beneath the sun, moving in perfect sync, like a couple deeply in love.

For a moment, I felt like I had fallen into an ice pit. It was July, but I couldn't breathe.

When Scott turned and saw me, he instinctively pulled his arm away from around Piper.

Panic filled his face as he jogged over to me. "What are you doing here?"

I glanced at the lipstick stain on his shirt collar and gave a cold, bitter laugh. "Came to give you a wedding gift."

At my words, his brow furrowed, as if trying to suppress his frustration. "Don't make a scene. I'll explain everything when we get back."

I actually laughed—really laughed, because I couldn't believe it.

My boyfriend was holding a wedding ceremony with another woman, and now I wasn't even allowed to ask why?

Looking at the man in front of me, so calm and composed, I felt like I was hallucinating. Wasn't this the same person who had held me not long ago, whispering about marriage?

Grievance surged in my chest, and tears spilled from my eyes before I could stop them.

Seeing me cry, Scott panicked. "Mia, I was wrong. But I can explain. Don't overthink it. I'll explain everything later, okay? Please don't make a scene."

He reached out to gently wipe my tears.

I pushed his hand away and turned to leave without another word.

Scott made a move to follow me, but Piper called out behind him, "Dr. Maynard… don't leave me…"

Watching my retreating figure, he hesitated for a long moment, then didn't come after me.

I sat alone in our home until the early hours of the morning. It wasn't until then that Scott finally returned, reeking of alcohol.

He used to never drink a drop.

Seeing my expression, he instinctively reached out to hold my trembling body.

"Piper's condition has been unstable. She's been having memory lapses lately," he said. "I'm just helping her recover. We're doctors. You understand, don't you? We can't just stand by and do nothing when a patient needs us. There's no such thing as male or female in the eyes of a doctor—only patients."

When I didn't respond, he cupped my face in his hands, gazing into my eyes with sincerity.

"Mia, I gave up everything to come with you to this foreign land. How could you doubt me like this?"

There was even disappointment in his eyes.

He sounded so earnest… and yet, I couldn't bring myself to believe him.

Because it was absurd.

Seeing my expression hadn't softened, he gently took my hand and slipped a ring onto my finger—one made from a soda can tab. Then he lowered his head and kissed it.

"Mia, let's get married when we return to our homeland, okay? You're the only woman I'll ever love. I'll give you the grandest wedding, make you the most beautiful bride."

I leaned into his embrace, my fingers tracing the makeshift ring.

The doubts in my heart eased a little.

Maybe… Piper really was just his patient.