Chapter 4

LILY

I managed to gather all my properties in two boxes. All I owned were just clothes and the pieces of jewelry Chaise’s grandmother gifted me.

It was all because of her I had enough money to rent a studio apartment at the other side of the city. I wanted to give Chaise enough space to enjoy his love life. 

Normally, most women would trash whatever their ex-husbands gave them while leaving but in my pathetic case, there was really nothing. 

Chaise hated me so there was no reason for him to give me anything. Not money. Not flowers. Not even clothes. 

Hell, we didn’t even have a single photo of us in the house. The day I had someone put up our wedding picture, he took it down the second he saw it. 

I could still remember the cruel words he said to me. 

“Isn't it enough that you have our photos on every blog out there? Do I have to see you back-stabbing face every time I step into my house as well? Haven't you ruined my life enough?” 

Even up till now, the disdain in those words haunted me. I didn’t have the courage to ask him where he kept the picture but I haven’t taken a single picture of myself in three years. 

Shaking the memory away, I picked up the pen and signed the papers before carefully dropping it on his desk. After making me apologise to Rachelle lasat night, they went off to somewhere because apparently the house was too “suffocating” for her.

He hasn’t called or texted once since then. But that was fine. I'd rather leave without seeing his face anyway. 

I spent the entire morning moving into my new apartment and luckily it was fully furnished so all I really needed to bring were my clothes. By the time I was done setting up the place, it was already noon. 

I needed to prepare to meet my brothers. Since I still have two hours to spare, I decided to do a little job hunting in the process. I still had my medical degree, although I never practiced, I was certain it would get me a good spot to build some experience first before aiming higher. 

I thought of trying a small local hospital first but the only hospital close by was a renowned private hospital. It was just a few blocks away my apartment. A job would practically change my life, hopefully before I run out of money. 

I walked in confidently and headed to the front desk. 

I offered the receptionist a polite smile as I approached the front desk. The hospital lobby was far more luxurious than I had expected. Doctors and nurses moved briskly through the halls with an air of confidence and purpose that made me suddenly aware of how out of place I was.

Maybe coming here had been a mistake. Was there even a chance a place like this would take someone like me?

I hadn't practiced medicine a single day since graduation. Three years of marriage had reduced my world to the walls of Chaise's house and the constant struggle of trying and failing to earn his affection.

"Good afternoon, ma'am. How may I help you?" the receptionist asked with a professional smile.

I straightened my shoulders and forced some confidence into my voice.

"Good afternoon. I was wondering if your hospital is currently hiring doctors."

The receptionist glanced at the folder tucked beneath my arm.

"Do you have an appointment with Human Resources?"

"No."

"An interview scheduled?"

"No."

Her smile became more apologetic.

"I'm sorry, but all applications are processed online. You'll need to submit your credentials through our recruitment portal."

The tiny spark of hope inside me dimmed.

"Oh."

"But if you'd like," she added, "I can take a copy of your résumé and credentials and forward them to the recruitment department."

A little hope returned. That was way better than nothing. 

"Thank you." I smiled as I handed over the folder.

The woman opened it and began scanning the first page. Then she froze. My heart skipped a beat. Was I too under qualified?

Her eyes moved across the document again and again like she couldn’t believe her eyes. Then she looked up at me. The strange reaction instantly made me nervous.

"Is there a problem?" I asked, feeling my palms sweat. 

The receptionist blinked rapidly then shook her head with a small smile. 

"No." She stood so abruptly her chair rolled backward. "No problem at all."

I watched her hurry away with my folder before I could ask another question. Confused, I remained standing in front of the desk. Had I forgotten some paperwork?

Was my license expired? Did I need additional certifications? My anxiety was rising quickly. 

A few minutes later, the receptionist returned. This time she wasn't alone. A middle-aged man in an expensive navy suit walked beside her. The second his eyes landed on me, he stopped walking.

His entire body froze.

A strange expression crossed his face. Shock? Relief? I couldn’t even tell what it was. 

The man looked like someone who had spent years searching for a lost item and had suddenly found it sitting right in front of him. My uneasiness immediately grew.

Why was he staring at me like that?

"Sir?" I asked cautiously.

The man blinked and seemed to regain control of himself. "Miss Lily Clinton?"

My stomach tightened. "Yes."

The man exhaled heavily, almost shakily. "Thank God."

I frowned.

"I'm sorry?"

He took another look at me before shaking his head in disbelief.

"You have no idea how long I've been looking for you."

The words hit me like a splash of cold water. This was the second time someone was saying that line to me in a space of two days. 

"What?"

The receptionist looked equally confused but the man simply extended his hand.

"My name is Benjamin Reed. I'm the director of this hospital."

My eyes widened slightly.

The director?

Why would the hospital director be looking for me? I was very certain I had never met this man before in my life.

"I think you've mistaken me for someone else."

"No." His answer came immediately. "I assure you, Miss Clinton, I haven't."

A strange feeling crept into my chest. I couldn't explain it. There was something about the certainty in his voice that unsettled me.

Benjamin held up my résumé in excitement.

"It means I've spent the last three years hoping you would eventually walk through those doors."