She's not a real doctor 1

SHE'S NOT A REAL DOCTOR 1

Scarlet's Pov 

I stood in front of the Grand Mount Hotel, Jace's hand gripped in mine, while my other hand clutched the expensive bottle of wine I'd picked up earlier.

The hotel was massive—all glass and gold, dripping with wealth and pretension. Valets rushed around, opening doors for guests in designer gowns and tuxedos.

I looked down at my outfit—a simple jean and a cozy sweater. Nice, but not formal.

My stomach dropped.

Jace tugged my hand. "Mommy, this place is so fancy! Are we going to a party?"

"Something like that, baby."

But dread was already creeping up my spine. Damian had said "family dinner." He hadn't mentioned it was a formal event at a five-star hotel.

Why hadn't he told me?

I looked down at Jace in his cute but casual button-up and khakis. We were going to stick out like sore thumbs.

"Why do you look worried, Mommy?"

"I'm not worried, sweetheart. Just... thinking."

Why had I agreed to this again?

"Come to the Christmas dinner," Damian had said that day after he told me he knew how exactly I could show my appreciation, his voice low and compelling.

"Are you insane?" I'd stood abruptly, anger flooding through me. "Why would I ever—"

He'd grabbed my wrist, gently, but firmly, and I'd felt it. That electric spark that made my breath catch, the strange urge to lean into his touch.

"Show them what you've become," he'd said quietly, his hand sliding under my chin, tilting my face up to meet his intense gaze. "Let them see what they lost." 

And like a fool, I'd agreed.

Now, standing here watching women in floor-length gowns and men in tailored tuxedos sweep past me into the hotel, I realized how monumentally stupid that decision had been.

"Ready?" I asked Jace, though I was really asking myself.

"Ready!" He grinned up at me, completely oblivious to the storm brewing inside me.

We walked through the Grand entrance. The lobby was breathtaking—marble floors, crystal chandeliers, a massive Christmas tree decorated with what had to be actual diamonds.

I felt every eye on us as we made our way to the elevators. Women whispered behind their hands. Men looked me up and down dismissively.

I was underdressed. Jace was underdressed. We didn't belong here.

Just like old times.

This wasn't a family dinner. This was a gala.

And there, at the center of it all, was my family.

My mother in a stunning emerald gown that probably cost more than I knew she earned. My father in a custom tuxedo, holding court with business associates. Savannah in a skintight red dress, dripping with jewelry.

And Lucas, my ex-husband was in a sharp black tuxedo, looking every inch the successful CEO.

They all fit here. They belonged.

I didn't.

I felt Jace squeeze my hand tighter. "Mommy, everyone's staring."

"It's okay, baby. Just stay close to me."

I forced myself to walk forward, head held high even though I wanted to sink into the floor.

My mother spotted me first. Her eyes went wide, then narrowed with barely concealed disgust as she took in my simple dress and Jace's casual outfit.

She turned to my father and whispered something. He looked over, his face twisting into a scowl.

Savannah followed their gazes and burst into laughter—loud enough that people nearby turned to look.

"Oh my God," she said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Did someone forget to tell her this was formal?"

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

My face burned, but I kept walking toward them, the wine bottle still clutched in my hand like a lifeline.

Lucas stared at me, and something flickered in his eyes. Shock? Pity? I couldn't tell and didn't want to know.

Before I could reach my family, Damian appeared out of the crowd.

He looked devastatingly handsome in a perfectly tailored tuxedo, commanding attention without even trying. His dark eyes found mine immediately, and I saw something flash across his face—surprise, then anger at himself.

He'd forgotten to tell me. He knew he'd forgotten.

"Scarlet," he said, moving toward me quickly.

"You didn't tell me this was formal," I said quietly, fighting to keep my voice steady.

"I—" He ran a hand through his hair, genuine regret in his eyes. "I'm sorry. I should have—"

"It's fine." It wasn't fine. I felt humiliated, out of place, exactly like I used to feel in this family.

"No, it's not. I fucked up."

Jace tugged my hand. "Mommy, why is everyone dressed up but us?"

Before I could answer, Savannah's voice cut through the air like a knife.

"Because Scarlet never could quite fit in, could you?" She sauntered over, champagne in hand, eyes gleaming with malice. "Some things never change."

People were definitely watching now. I could feel their eyes, their judgment.

My mother joined us, her face cold. "What are you doing here, Scarlet? And who is this child?"

I lifted my chin. "Damian invited me."

"In that?" She looked me up and down with such disdain that I felt five inches tall. "Did you come straight from a shopping mall?"

"Stella—" Damian started, his voice hard. My mother flinched at his tone, but she wasn't giving up.

"And this child?" My mother's poisonous eyes landed on Jace, who shrank behind my leg. "You brought your... bastard... to a formal family event?"

The word hung in the air like poison.

Jace flinched. I felt rage boil up inside me, hot and violent.

"His name is Jace," I said through gritted teeth.

"I don't care what his name is." My mother's voice was icy. "You have some nerve showing up here, dressed like that, with some other man's child—"

"Be careful," Damian said, his voice deadly quiet as he stepped between us. "Very careful about what you say next."

The ballroom had gone quieter. People were definitely watching now, whispering behind their hands.

Lucas approached, his eyes fixed on Jace. “Whose child is this?

My blood ran cold. "That's none of your business."

"He looks—" Lucas studied Jace's face, and I saw the wheels turning. "Were you cheating on me before you left the city? He looks about five– was this the reason you were so desperate to divorce me?”

"Leave us alone." I pulled Jace closer, my heart pounding. “You cheated on me with my sister. How could you accuse me of something like that?”

My father joined the circle, and I suddenly felt surrounded. Trapped.

"You left here in disgrace five years ago," my father said, loud enough for nearby guests to hear. "And now you come back, dressed like a fool and dragging someone else's child with you? What kind of statement are you trying to make?"

"I was invited—"

"By Damian, yes, we heard." My mother's laugh was cruel. "Tell me-” she suddenly stopped like she just realized something. “ Is this– is this his child? Is that why he's suddenly so protective of you?"

The implication hung in the air and the crowd gasped. Whispers exploded around us.

She's sleeping with her ex-husband's brother.

How shameful.

That poor child.

"You're unbelievable," I said, my voice shaking with rage. "All of you."

I lifted the wine bottle I'd been clutching. "I brought this. For the family." I practically spat the last word.

My father took it from me, examining the label with suspicion. His eyes widened slightly when he recognized the brand.

"This is a $10,000 bottle," he said slowly.

"I know. I bought it."

"You?" Savannah laughed. "Please. What rich man did you sleep with to afford this? Or did you steal it?"

"I bought it with my first surgical bonus." My voice was calm, but inside I was screaming. "From my job."

"Surgical bonus? You can never be a doctor, you dullard,” My mother scoffed. "Don't tell me you're now whoring—"

"I am a doctor,” I spat now pressing Jace's face to my thigh, desperate to protect him from this version of me. My eyes blurred with tears.

Even after all these years, they were still so cruel.

"Sure you are." Savannah rolled her eyes. "Just like you were going to be so many other things before you failed—"

Suddenly, there was a commotion across the ballroom. 

A soft thump, then someone shouted followed by a woman screaming.

The crowd parted, and I could see a man—older, distinguished-looking in a tuxedo—collapsed on the floor. People surrounded him, but no one was helping. Just staring and panicking.

My medical training kicked in instantly. I could see from here—his lips were blue, his chest wasn't moving right. He was dying.

I started moving toward him, but Savannah grabbed my arm.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Someone needs help—"

"You?" She laughed cruelly. "What are you going to do? Pretend to be a doctor? You'll only make things worse."

I tried to push past her, but she raised her voice. "Everyone, stop her! She's not a real doctor! She's going to hurt him!"

The crowd, already on edge, reacted immediately. People blocked my path.

"Please, I'm a surgeon—"

"She's lying!" Savannah shouted. "Don't let her near him!"

"Move!" I was desperate now. That man had minutes, maybe less.

But no one would let me through. They believed Savannah. Of course they did—she was dressed appropriately, and belonged in this world. I was the outsider in the casual dress.

The man's body jerked once, then went still.

"NO!" I pushed harder against the crowd, but they wouldn't budge.

Then, cutting through the chaos like a knife: "MOVE! MEDICAL EMERGENCY! CLEAR THE AREA!"

The crowd parted instantly.

Dr. Kim rushed through, followed by a team of nurses and paramedics. She had a mobile medical kit, and her team immediately surrounded the collapsed man.

She looked up, scanning the crowd, and her eyes found mine.

"Dr. Scarlet!" Relief flooded her face. "Thank God you're here!"

The crowd went silent.