Chapter 2

The Snow and Chance families went back a long way. Madeline and Isaac had grown up together, and their bond was strengthened by their promise to marry. At one point, they'd been the model couple of Shorestone City.

While growing up, they had never expressed their feelings for each other. However, Isaac had always been there for her whenever she'd turned to look for him. He'd protected and supported her like a guardian angel. It seemed natural that they would get married once they were of age.

Things had changed when Madeline had turned 16. Her parents had died in an accident, and her shameless uncle and aunt had seized the Snow family's fortune. They'd barged into her parents' villa and treated her like a maid, even going as far as abusing her.

Isaac had protected her when her life had been at its darkest. He'd taken her back to the Chance residence and cared for her, which was how she'd completed her education and even become a doctor.

After graduating college, Madeline had thought it was time for her and Isaac to marry. She'd wanted to have an actual family that she could call hers.

Yet Isaac had become busier after taking over his family business. He kept telling her to wait, but six years had passed since then.

Isaac had gone from his initial patience to frowning whenever the engagement was mentioned. Madeline had thought it was because he was exhausted from work and told herself to be more accommodating. She shouldn't pressure him too much. It wouldn't be an issue for her to wait as long as he loved her, right?

That was what her mindset had been like before Rachel had come into the picture and destroyed all her fantasies.

It turned out Isaac could make arrangements for another person's life without losing his patience or finding it troublesome. It also turned out that he was capable of asking about every detail of someone's daily life because he was afraid of her getting bullied.

These were things he'd never done for Madeline.

Madeline's phone suddenly rang, interrupting her trip down memory lane. As the bitterness spread through her, she looked up at the lights to prevent her tears from following.

Then, she answered the call. It was from a nurse on duty. "Dr. Snow, the emergency room has just received a patient with a liver hemangioma rupture. All the other experienced surgeons are occupied. Could you take over if you have the time?"

Madeline immediately got to her feet. "Prep for surgery. I'll be right there."

It was 9:00 pm when she arrived at the hospital. Due to the severity of the patient's condition, she had to perform a partial liver removal surgery. When she emerged from the operating theater, it was past 2:00 am.

Madeline was physically and mentally exhausted after focusing all her attention on the surgery for such a long time. She returned to her office and immediately fell asleep on the cot there.

She didn't know how long she'd been asleep but was awakened when she vaguely sensed something being placed over her. She opened her eyes to see Heather Walden, the hospital dean, standing before her.

"Did I wake you up, Maddie? I thought of covering you with something when I saw you curled up like that. I didn't expect to wake you up. Honestly…" Heather looked upset with herself.

Madeline wasn't bothered. "It's okay, Ms. Walden. I've had enough sleep—I'll just take a nap when I get home after making my rounds."

Heather was Madeline's superior and also her mother's friend. She'd seen how hard Madeline had worked over the years. She was proud yet also sympathetic.

"Alright, then. Hurry up and make your rounds so you can go home." After that, she turned to leave.

Madeline hesitated before stopping her. "Ms. Walden, I… I want to tender my resignation."

Heather immediately turned back, her surprise evident. "Why? And so suddenly, too."

"I've gotten married."

The realization dawned on Heather when she heard that. She smiled and said, "Ah, yes. Your husband is the young man from the Chance family, right? Congratulations, Maddie. I'm glad to see your relationship with him has come to fruition after so many years."

Madeline forced a smile at Heather's misunderstanding but didn't explain.

Heather didn't notice this and continued excitedly, "Your grandmother's always wanted to see you get married, right? She'll have one less thing to worry about now."

Madeline's gaze softened at the mention of her grandmother, Shirley Green. This time, her smile was genuine. "All I want is for her to be happier."

It was Shirley's final wish for her to marry a nice man and start a family. If not for that, she wouldn't have been so hasty in marrying Elijah. His family had also been on his back about getting married.

She hoped Shirley would be pleased when she visited the latter and showed her the marriage certificate.

Madeline and Heather chatted some more before the former headed to the administrative department to tender her resignation. Then, she made her rounds before heading home.

She'd been up late last night and hadn't gotten much rest in her office, so her head spun with fatigue as she took a cab home. All she wanted to do was hit the sack and catch up on her sleep.

However, when she got home and entered the master bedroom, the scene that greeted her made her blood boil. Her anger burned away all her fatigue.