Chapter 1

“I’ve already canceled the wedding banquet at the hotel. Make sure you notify your relatives and friends.”

The moment Rowan heard that, he slammed on the brakes.

“Wylie, are you seriously doing this? What? Now you don’t even believe your own little brother and your best friend?”

He turned to look at me. His expression darkened completely.

“Maybe you really should see a therapist. This isn’t what a normal relationship looks like.

“You don’t even believe your own brother. How am I supposed to prove my innocence?

“If there isn’t even the most basic trust between us, then what’s the point of getting married?”

The moment he finished speaking, his phone rang.

When he saw who was calling, the coldness in his eyes instantly softened.

“I have something to take care of. Go home and think about what you did. I’ll pretend nothing happened today.”

His black Mercedes sped away without hesitation.

I refused to give up, so I stopped a taxi and followed him.

Half an hour later, the location tracker on my phone stopped at a seaside restaurant.

Through the glass windows, I saw a lively first-month celebration for a newborn taking place inside.

The room was filled with familiar faces, and the sound of clinking glasses and laughter echoed throughout.

The woman surrounded by everyone was wearing the pearl necklace I had found in Rowan’s car the first time.

The hair tie on her wrist was the same one I had pulled from his pocket the third time...

When I finally saw her face clearly, the calmness I had forced myself to maintain completely collapsed.

It was her.

A month ago, while I was changing an IV drip, a patient’s blood accidentally flowed back due to my mistake. Her name was Vivian Zimmer.

Vivian’s family immediately accused me of mistreating a patient and filed a complaint with the hospital headquarters.

During the argument, one of her bodyguards shoved me to the ground.

My right hand was fractured on the spot, and I was suspended from work.

Now, my younger brother, Charles, who had once helped me handle the lawsuit and ran around everywhere for me, was busy helping Vivian drink at the table.

My best friend, Sandy, who had repeatedly argued with hospital executives on my behalf and stayed up all night writing appeals, was now busy entertaining Vivian’s guests.

As for Rowan, the man who had just sworn up and down that he was innocent, he was the biggest joke of all.

“Rowan, you’re late! Shouldn’t you do something to make your wife happy?”

He pulled Vivian into his arms and kissed her as everyone around them cheered and egged them on.

One scene after another played out like a cruel joke, tearing at my nerves.

They had been Vivian’s family all along.

They were the ones who took my small mistake and turned it into a huge scandal, causing me to lose my job.

At that moment, it felt as though my face had been pressed against a burning-hot iron plate.

The heat spread through my nerves and exploded inside my mind.

This was what it felt like to be played for a fool by everyone you trusted.

My phone suddenly vibrated. A notification from the hospital appeared on the screen.

[Dr. Lane, your transfer request has been approved. Please report to Paulownia Hills Hospital in three days.]

I stared at the message and suddenly found it ridiculous.

Fine. There was nothing left in this city worth staying for.

Three days from now, everything between Rowan and me would come to an end.

I turned around with heavy steps, unwilling to look at that disgusting scene any longer.

However, Vivian caught sight of my familiar figure and chased after me.

“Dr. Lane? Did you come here just for our baby’s first-month celebration?”