Chapter 4

Inside the room, Diana was stretched out on the bed, her foot badly swollen and propped up high.

I truly didn't like Diana. She won all of Yosef's love without lifting a finger, yet no matter how hard I tried, he never once cast so much as a glance in my direction.

Still, my duty as a doctor won out. I put down my medical bag and began treating her.

As soon as I touched Diana's ankle, she gasped and pulled her foot away.

Yosef, thinking I'd hurt her, shoved me aside.

I wasn't ready for it and went down hard, hitting the floor with a thud.

"Nina, what did you do to Diana?" Yosef demanded.

I gave a sarcastic laugh. "What could I possibly do? My hands are cold, and Ms. Pierce couldn't take it."

As a doctor, I would never hurt my patient.

Yosef looked to Diana for confirmation, and only after she nodded did he turn to me and say, "Sorry, I thought you were trying to hurt Diana."

So in his eyes, I was just the kind of opportunist who would take advantage of people when they were vulnerable.

Yosef thrust a hand warmer at me. "Your hands are freezing. Warm them up before you touch Diana again."

I avoided his hand and went right over to Diana, reaching for her ankle. This time, she didn't flinch.

Yosef hadn't expected me to brush him off so directly. His expression soured.

"Mr. Sherman, could you step outside for a bit? I need to take off Ms. Pierce's shoes and socks to check her injury," I said.

Yosef cared about Diana's reputation and didn't want any rumors to spread about her. He quietly stepped out and made sure to close the door behind him.

I examined Diana's ankle. Her injury wasn't serious. She would make a full recovery as long as she took her medicine and rested for about two weeks.

Just as I finished writing the prescription and turned to leave, Diana stopped me. "Ms. Hart, you saw it for yourself. Yosef doesn't care about you at all. Please stop clinging to him and refusing to let go.

"If you have any dignity, you'd call off the engagement yourself. All you're doing is making his life harder for no reason.

"Yosef's going to be a government official someday. A country girl like you can't do anything for him. If he wants a smooth career, he should marry a lady from a prestigious family."

I listened quietly to Diana, clenching the prescription tightly in my hand.

Honestly, Diana was being pretty tactful. I had been told much harsher things before.

But I still couldn't help feeling wretched. Having my dignity trampled on like this was utterly humiliating.

I gently set the prescription down on the table in front of Diana, forcing a small smile. "You're right, Ms. Pierce. Consider your advice taken.

"Rest assured, after today, Yosef will be free. Congratulations in advance on your wedding. May you both grow old together and be blessed with a happy family."

That night, I took notice of the engagement termination I had prepared and headed over to Emily's place.

She took my hand with concern and asked, "Nina, did Yosef upset you again? Why are you suddenly thinking about calling off the engagement?

"I know he cares about you, but I don't understand why he's been so reluctant to get married."

I said nothing to that. Yosef never truly cared about me.

I said, "Mrs. Sherman, I've been thinking about ending the engagement for a long time. This marriage has kept both Yosef and me tied down for five years. I want to let him go, so he can marry the woman he really loves.

"If anyone asks, just say I can't have children. That way, no one will blame the Sherman family or tarnish your reputation."

Emily let out a sigh. She could see my mind was made up. My marriage to Yosef was over for good.

She said, "Nina, would you be open to considering someone else for marriage? What about Zack? He is older than you, but..."

I looked at Emily, stunned. "General Sherman?"

Emily nodded. "Yes. When your engagement was first arranged by my father-in-law, he never specified which man in the family it was for. After your father passed away, Alex took you into our family.

"I gathered all the men of marriageable age and asked who would be willing to marry you. Yosef agreed at once, without hesitation.

"I wanted to give the two of you time to see if feelings might develop, so I didn't rush the wedding. But then...

"Calling off the engagement is simple, but your reputation will suffer. If you leave the Sherman family, you'll have to go back to Greenwick. But your relatives there aren't exactly the easiest people to get along with.

"Honestly, you'd be better off marrying Zack and staying here. You can trust Zack. His parents died young, so Alex and I raised him. I know exactly what kind of man he is."

I fell silent for a moment, then nodded in agreement.