Chapter 1

After going over the aftercare precautions in a routine manner, I logged into my email account and sent off a reply to confirm my acceptance of the offer an overseas research institute had sent me.

Once the three days of Veronica Dane's observation period were over, I would be free.

The moment I turned around, I saw that Callum Holden was standing behind me. He was holding a ticket to a talk by the surgeon I admired most.

"I know you love him, so I specifically procured this for you."

Just as I was feeling rather touched at his gesture, he added, "Veronica looks exactly like her. Thank you, Lia. This is your reward."

My expression froze briefly before twisting into a perfunctory smile. "You're welcome."

Seemingly in a great mood, Callum actually invited me out for a meal, and to my favorite restaurant too.

I had been friends with Callum since childhood, and we used to be practically glued together.

However, ever since we got married, this was the first time we had actually sat at the same table to have a meal.

How ironic that it was all thanks to Veronica.

"Barbecued pork ribs, spicy beef stew, fried chicken wings…"

I furrowed my brow at the dishes he was ordering. I knew that Callum had never been a fan of greasy food, so I couldn't help but speak up. "I thought you didn't eat such oily food?"

Callum smiled adoringly. "They're for Veronica. These are all her favorites."

For a moment, I was stunned.

Despite knowing each other for 28 years now, he still didn't know what my favorite dishes were. He had only known Veronica for a few days, yet he already remembered everything about her so clearly.

Perhaps he realized that there was something off about my expression, for he instantly ordered one more dish for me.

"Shrimps tossed in honey mustard sauce. You women all love this kind of dish, right?"

He had forgotten that I was allergic to seafood, and it was all because of that engagement party.

Although my marriage to Callum had been a business move, I still had high expectations of him that day.

However, what actually ended up happening was him receiving news of his first love, Alicia Teller's death, and the shattering of any and all fantasies I had held about love.

Callum had wrecked the party and pinned all the blame on me.

"She must have heard about me getting engaged, and that's why she got caught in a car accident! Talia Suther, you have to atone for your crime!"

That night, I had a high fever and vomited up every bit of seafood I had consumed. It was from then on that I developed a terrible allergy to seafood.

Just the thought of it made me gag.

Callum thoughtfully handed me a glass of water, and that was when I caught sight of the sparkling diamond ring on his middle finger.

It was the same style of ring that Veronica wore, with a beautiful and delicate design.

Once, when we were young and playing a game of "House", Callum had told me, "I don't want to wear a ring! That's not manly at all!"

Even when we got married, he refused to wear a ring.

I specifically had someone customise a plain platinum band carved with a dragon design, but when I eagerly brought it to him, he simply shot it a disdainful glance.

"Lia, no matter how plain, it's still jewelry and way too feminine for me."

Yet, when it came to Veronica, he seemed more than willing to go against that principle of his.

After we returned to the hospital, Veronica insisted on my staying back to watch her eat. She made up an excuse, saying she was worried her face might start hurting.

Callum sat beside her bed, acting just like a humble servant as he listened to her whiny instructions and fed her patiently.

I couldn't help but fall into a daze as I watched their intimate actions.

Callum had never attended to anyone before.

I once had tendonitis from working over ten consecutive hours, and the pain was so bad that I couldn't even rip open the packaging on a piece of bread.

When I asked him to help feed me, he absolutely refused. After staring at the bread for several seconds, he said in a conflicted tone, "Lia, this kind of menial work should be for servants. I still have a meeting, so I'll hire someone to look after you."

Unfortunately for me, Callum just so happened to be a workaholic. By the time he finished his meeting and thought of me, I had already fainted from hunger. I almost couldn't wake up again.

Dragging myself out of my thoughts, I gave a self-deprecating laugh before booking a flight that would depart in two days.

At that moment, I received a message.

"Lia, I heard from Dad that you're getting ready to come back. I'm so happy."

Before my lips could curl into a smile, Callum suddenly charged over with bloodshot eyes.