Chapter 3

When I rushed to the hospital, William had already been stabilized after the emergency.

Ethan stood at the door of the hospital room and told me seriously, "Sophia, we can't wait any longer with William's condition. Since we've got a match, it's best to do the surgery as soon as possible."

Looking at William lying unconscious on the bed, I nodded.

For the next two weeks, I pushed Daniel out of my mind.

I ran back and forth between the hospital and the company every day, barely having a moment to breathe.

As for Daniel's texts, I didn't even have the time to read them.

Until one day, Daniel showed up in William's hospital room with Fiona.

Daniel walked in and set down a basket of fruit he'd brought.

He didn't even spare me a glance—instead, he went straight to William and gently patted his head.

"William, I've been too busy to visit lately," he said. "But don't worry. Sophia and I are getting married soon. Once we have money, you'll get your surgery right away."

William's face lit up when he saw Daniel, but his smile froze in an instant. The surgery was already scheduled.

Seeing the shock in his eyes, I gave him a quick wink.

Fiona said with concern, "Sophia, I've been wanting to visit William for a while. Since I was free today, I came with Daniel. You're not still mad at me, are you?"

I was long used to her fake sweetness.

Before, I had been mad at her because I had cared about Daniel. But now, nothing she said could hurt me anymore.

I shook my head calmly.

"No," I said. "Thanks for coming to see William, but he needs to rest. You two should go back."

When I told them to leave, Daniel frowned.

"Sophia, it's been half a month. Isn't it time to chill out?" he said. "I'll come to your place tonight and make your favorite grilled salmon, okay?"

Before I could say a word, Fiona jumped in. "Sophia, you like grilled salmon too?

"That's my favorite dish. Daniel once even learned from a chef just to make it for me.

"Sophia, can I come over for dinner tonight?"

In the past, I would've swallowed my disgust and agreed, sitting through dinner with the two of them.

But now, I didn't even want to see Daniel, let alone Fiona.

Not wanting to play along anymore, I hardened my face.

"Sorry, I'm busy tonight. You two can have dinner without me," I said coolly.

Daniel pressed his lips together, his eyes full of displeasure. "Sophia, I'm the one lowering my pride to come to you. Are you sure you want to treat me like this?"

When I stayed expressionless, he suddenly leaned close and whispered in my ear, "Don't forget William. Don't you want to save him?"

I froze on the spot.

William was my weakness. For him, I could do anything—and Daniel knew that better than anyone.

My anger surged to the peak.

Looking at William's puzzled face, I forced myself to swallow it down.

"I'm busy. I don't have time to eat with you," I said.

Daniel's face went completely cold at my firm rejection.

But after a few seconds, he smiled with confidence again.

"Sophia, I'll wait for you to come to me," he said.

With that, he turned and pulled Fiona along with him.

As they walked past me, I caught the smug sparkle in Fiona's eyes.

Just as they reached the door, a nurse walked in.

"How are you feeling today, William? The surgery's just two days away, so make sure you get plenty of rest," the nurse said.

The smile Daniel had just put on froze on his face.

He looked at the nurse, confused. "Surgery?"

The nurse nodded. "Yeah, Dr. Miller made sure to remind us, since William is his brother-in-law. We're supposed to take extra care with him."

"Who? Whose brother-in-law?" Daniel barked at her.

He looked like he'd been struck by lightning, his whole face locked in shock.

It took him a few seconds to process it.

Then he lunged forward, grabbing my wrist, his teeth clenched. "Sophia, when did you marry William's doctor?"

Daniel's reaction didn't surprise me.

He had always been confident, thinking he could control me with his love and William's condition.

He never imagined I'd leave him for another man—like a bird he thought was tame suddenly flying off behind his back.

I jerked my wrist out of his grip. "What does that have to do with you?"

Seeing how indifferent I was, Daniel roared, "You're my girlfriend! How could it have nothing to do with me?"

I didn't even bother to hide the contempt in my eyes.

"Daniel, since Fiona came back, have you really treated me like your girlfriend?" I asked coldly. "'Marry me if you want—if not, whatever.' That's what you told me that day at the city hall. Memory getting short?"

Daniel stared at me in disbelief, as if he couldn't accept what he was hearing.

"I only said that because I was pissed off! How could you move on to someone else just because I lost my temper for a second?" he demanded.

I scoffed. "You treat marriage like a joke, but I don't. I'm married now, so please don't bother me again."

Daniel finally lost it and lunged forward, trying to grab my arm. But before he could, someone yanked him back.

He whipped around and saw Ethan standing there.