The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 15

Ferris answered the call right in front of me.

Zoey's sugary, excited voice drifted from the speaker. "Ferris! My classmate said they saw you in the parking lot. Is it true?"

He tapped his fingers lightly against the steering wheel, his tone impossibly gentle. "Yeah. It's me."

"Really? What a wonderful surprise!"

Ferris leaned closer to the phone, as if terrified of missing a single syllable, a rare, faint smile touching the corners of his lips.

"Oh, wait, maybe I shouldn't be too happy," Zoey rambled on, feigning shyness. "You're probably just here for official business, right?"

She was young, and she didn't bother hiding her intentions. Her probing was completely transparent.

Ferris didn't seem to mind at all. He smoothly changed the subject, "Have you eaten?"

As he said it, his sharp eyes flicked toward me, prompting him to lean away, angling his body toward the driver's side door.

I figured he had already forgotten I was sitting right next to him.

After a brief, intimate exchange, he ended the call.

Taking in his relaxed, joyful expression, the realization hit me like a physical blow—he hadn't gone out of his way to drive me to campus. He was here to see the girl he actually cared about. Dropping me off was just an afterthought.

Once again, it was just convenient.

In the three years we had been together, the few times he had ever offered me a ride were entirely orchestrated so he could see his favorite person.

It felt as if a thousand needles were plunging into my chest.

I swallowed the bitter lump in my throat and reached for my seatbelt.

"I'm on duty tonight," he murmured, his deep voice sounding almost like an explanation. "I won't be home."

On duty.

I scoffed internally.

Wasn't he tired of using that excuse?

I stepped out of the car, only to look up and lock eyes with a pair of bright, animated eyes.

Zoey had tracked him down remarkably fast.

She was dressed in a pleated schoolgirl skirt, black knee-high socks, and sneakers. She looked vibrant, adorable, and utterly captivating.

When she saw me, her bright smile faltered, her gaze turning assessing.

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