Chapter 2

The next day, I met up with my friends to say goodbye.

While we were eating, two familiar figures entered the restaurant.

It was Andrew and his fiancée, Emily Carter

At the sight of me, Andrew immediately dropped his hand from Emily's waist.

I stayed calm. "What brings you here?"

Andrew glanced at Emily and lowered his voice. "The Bennett and Carter Families have a partnership underway. We're here to discuss terms."

As our meal wrapped up, my friends and I were getting ready to leave.

But as I walked past, Emily extended her arm to block my path.

"Dr. Sinclair, since we've run into each other, how about having a cup of coffee together?" she said.

She was dressed in a white dress, and around her neck was a necklace made from the tie clip Andrew said he'd lost a few days ago.

I glanced at it but didn't say anything.

Tommy, the nurse with me, couldn't help but speak up. "Miss Carter, Charlotte has something else to take care of."

Emily smiled. "Why are you so anxious? I want to chat with Dr. Sinclair. After all, we'll be seeing each other all the time at the hospital."

Tommy was about to say more, but I stopped she.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked.

Emily set her bag on the table, her voice full of smugness. "I heard you're leaving, Dr. Sinclair? Well, not everyone can handle the surgery department at Mercy Hospital. You should accept your fate and stop relying on men to get ahead."

Her voice wasn't loud, but people at the surrounding tables heard her loud and clear.

Before I could say anything, Andrew frowned. "Emily."

Emily looked at him. "Did I say anything wrong? She's been following you for five years. Everyone at the hospital knows she only got into the surgical team because of you.

"Now that you're getting engaged to me, she knows when to bow out gracefully, so we can all save face."

Tommy slammed her hand on the table, furious. "What nonsense are you spouting? Charlotte got into the surgical team on her own merits."

"Merits?" Emily scoffed. "What kind of skills could someone who came from some backward county hospital possibly have?"

She slid an invitation across the table to me.

The red cover was so glaring that it stung my eyes.

Emily said, "Next Saturday, Andrew and I are getting engaged. If you're free, Dr. Sinclair, you should come and see for yourself what kind of person is worthy of joining the Bennett Family."

Andrew's face darkened. "Emily, that's enough."

"Oh? Feeling sorry for her already?" Emily pushed the invitation closer to me. "Andrew, don't forget, Mrs. Bennett reminded me this morning to move into your apartment as soon as possible. She wants to ensure no one of dubious background outstays her welcome."

I looked down at the invitation.

Groom: Andrew Bennett.

Bride: Emily Carter.

The date was the day before I was supposed to leave Southgate.

It turned out that he wouldn't let me spend my last week here in peace.

I picked up the invitation and tore it in half right in front of them.

Emily's smile froze on her face.

Andrew was left speechless.

I dropped the torn pieces back onto the table. "Miss Carter, I'm not going to your engagement party. If you want to show off, go find someone else to impress."

Emily's face darkened. "Charlotte, what makes you think you can give me attitude?"

"Because I don't waste my time on garbage," I shot back.

Tommy burst out laughing before quickly clapping a hand over her mouth.

Emily snatched up her glass and threw the water right at me.

Andrew reached out to block it, so half the water landed on his sleeve.

He finally said in a low, serious voice, "Emily, have you had enough?"

Emily's eyes welled up with tears. "Andrew, are you taking her side over me? I'm your fiancée."

As soon as she said that, everyone around us stopped eating and stared.

Andrew instinctively glanced at me.

I didn't say a word to him. I didn't cause a fuss.

I grabbed my bag and said to Tommy, "Let's go."

As we reached the door, Andrew came after me.

"Charlotte," he called out.

I stopped.

He stood on the steps, his sleeve still damp, and his voice carried a rare weariness.

"It's not what you think," he said.

"Then what is it?" I asked.

"Emily and I are only together because our families arranged it. The engagement isn't meant to last," he said. "Once the Bennett Family gets through this rough patch, I'll handle everything."

I let out a laugh. "And then what?"

Andrew was silent for a few seconds. "I'll make it up to you."

"Should I wait for you to call off the engagement, or should I wait until you marry her and then get divorced?" I retorted.

His face turned pale. "Charlotte, please, don't say that."

"Andrew, you never planned to marry me, did you?"

He looked at me, his throat working, but no words came out.

I already knew the answer.

I turned and started down the steps.

He grabbed my wrist from behind. "I love you."

I stopped and turned to look at him.

"You love me, so you keep me in the shadows as your secret girlfriend. You love me, so you let your fiancée humiliate me in front of everyone. You love me, so you shoved your engagement invitation right in my face."

His grip loosened a little.

I pulled my hand away. "Andrew, your love is tainted."