The Ring That Exposed It All

Olivia was still scolding me.

"This is the ninth time, Ethan. If it happens one more time, forget the wedding."

Every time I found a man's item in her car, she'd threaten me like this, certain I'd cave and apologize.

But this time, I answered calmly.

"Fine. Cancel the wedding."

Olivia slammed on the brakes.

"Ethan, what's your problem now?"

She turned to me, her expression hardening.

"You won't even trust your own sister and best friend?"

"Maybe you really need to see a therapist. If we don't have basic trust, what's the point of getting married?"

Her phone rang before she could say more.

She glanced at the caller ID, and her expression shifted.

"I have things to do. I'm not dealing with this now. Go home and think about your behavior."

She drove off in her black Mercedes.

But I didn't give up. I hailed a cab and followed her.

Half an hour later, the cab stopped at a seaside restaurant.

Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, I saw a lively christening party in full swing.

Every face in the crowd was familiar.

And the man at the center of it all—between his fingers was the very lighter I'd found in her car the first time.

On his wrist was the men's watch I'd pulled from her bag the third time.

When I finally saw his face clearly, my carefully maintained composure shattered.

It was him. Carter.

A month ago, I'd had to cut open his clothes to save a patient. His family had sued me to the hospital board for "violating patient privacy."

During the dispute, his bodyguard had shoved me to the ground, fracturing my right hand and getting me suspended from work.

And my sister—the lawyer who'd supposedly been running around handling the case for me—was busy toasting and socializing for Carter.

My best friend, who'd claimed to be fighting hospital management and staying up late to write appeals for me—was busy hosting guests for Carter.

And Olivia—the one who'd just been so adamant about her innocence—was the worst of all.

"Olivia, you're late. Shouldn't you do something to make it up to Carter?"

She wrapped her arms around him. The crowd cheered, and she kissed him.

Scene after scene hit me like a cruel joke.

So they were Carter's family.

So they were the ones who'd blown a minor mistake into a formal complaint and cost me my job.

So this is what it felt like—being played for a fool by everyone you trusted.

My phone buzzed with a reminder from the hospital.

【Dr. Harper, your promotion transfer offer is about to expire. Please confirm whether you accept?】

I stared at the screen and almost laughed.

I'd been planning to turn down the promotion to stay with Olivia.

But there was nothing left for me in this city anymore.

I signed the offer. The hospital gave me three days to hand over my cases.

In three days, Olivia and I would be done.

I turned to leave—but a voice called out behind me.

Carter, glass in hand, looked at me in surprise.

"Dr. Harper? You actually came to Tommy's christening?"