Chapter 2

Life was peaceful and fulfilling, and I thought the people from the Hortons would disappear from my life forever.

Then one day, my assistant, Alicia Larsen, knocked on my office door.

"Dr. Stewart, there's a Mr. Jason outside who specifically requested to see you. He said he wants you to treat his fiancee and booked an appointment with the most expensive specialist."

Hearing that name, my heart still clenched involuntarily.

I took a deep breath and forced down the emotions rising inside me. Keeping my voice calm and steady, I said, "Let him in."

A cold, imposing man walked into my office. The boyish innocence he once had was now gone, replaced by sharper, more refined features.

The moment Jason saw me, he froze. Those deep eyes of his were filled with shock and disbelief.

He never imagined that the medical specialist he had gone to such lengths to find would be me, the woman he had cast aside 20 years ago.

After a long while, he finally found his voice again. His tone was full of doubt as he asked, "You… You're Dr. Stewart?"

I nodded. "Mr. Fuller, please have a seat and tell me about your fiancee's condition."

But he seemed not to hear me. Instead, he scrutinized me. "You're really a doctor? How confident are you that you can cure my fiancee?"

He regarded me as though I were some kind of con artist.

Standing beside me, Alicia couldn't take it anymore and finally spoke up.

"Sir, Dr. Stewart is the most respected specialist at our hospital. Her time is extremely valuable!"

I looked at Jason, a faint smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

"It seems Mr. Fuller doesn't quite trust my professional ability. In that case, this consultation is canceled.

"Alicia, see the guest out."

Jason's expression instantly turned unpleasant. He gritted his teeth, but in the end, he said nothing. He turned and slammed the door behind him.

Alicia stomped her feet in anger. "Dr. Stewart, that man is so rude! Who does he think he is?"

I smiled indifferently. "It's fine. It's just an ordinary patient."

To me, this was indeed nothing more than a minor incident—because it'd been a long time since I had anything to do with them.

After work, Jason suddenly appeared at the entrance of the laboratory building and blocked my way. He had a conflicted, sullen expression.

I immediately frowned. "Can I help you?"

Jason stared at me intently. Only after a long silence did he grit out from between his teeth, "Quinn Horton, I'm warning you—no matter what identity you have now, don't even think about hurting Willow."

I nearly laughed from sheer anger.

20 years ago, he was the one who coldly stopped my biological parents from bringing me back to the Hortons. And now, he was even calling me Quinn Horton.

He was the one who came looking for me, yet the first thing he did was warn me not to hurt Willow?

What made him think I would waste my time on someone like that?

I looked at him like he was an unreasonable madman, saying, "Mr. Fuller, my name is Quinn Stewart. Please get my name right.

"Besides, I don't know you, let alone your fiancee.

"As a doctor, my duty is to save people, not harm them. So why would I hurt a complete stranger?"

Jason was stunned, and a flash of shock crossed his face. "You don't remember me?"

Seemingly unable to accept this fact, his voice rose unconsciously as he said, "20 years ago, at the gate of the orphanage, I was the one who stopped Mr. and Mrs. Horton—"

He stopped halfway, as if even he found his past actions too shameful to speak aloud.

As I observed his embarrassed expression, I felt a chill settle over my heart.

Of course I remembered. I remembered every look of disgust, every hateful word he had thrown at me.

I remembered how he had pushed me away with his own hands, shattering every illusion I had about love and family.

Still, I persisted in pretending not to remember.

I pretended to rack my brain for a moment before putting on an expression of sudden realization.

"Oh…" I deliberately drew out the sound. "It's you!"

I looked at him and smiled innocently. "I'm sorry, but 20 years ago was a long time ago. I've long forgotten about it.

"Besides, I have so much important research to work on every day. Where would I find the time to remember such trivial things?"