The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 22

A burden?

I stared at Ferris in sheer confusion, then glanced down at the loan agreement hovering in the air between us. I was completely at a loss for words.

What on earth did this have to do with my status as 'Mrs. Sterling'?

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The only sound in the sprawling master bedroom was the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock.

Breaking the tense standoff, I finally cleared my throat. "It's a substantial amount, so I'll need to pay it back in installments. I hope you can understand."

A flicker of emotion finally crossed his rigid features. His stoic, unreadable gaze shifted to the document in my hands. A second later, he lazily reached out and took it from me.

Before long, Ferris slowly raised his eyes. He waved the papers slightly. "Care to explain?"

I laid it all out—my father's medical bills and Sabrina's tuition. "I was completely unaware of this until tonight," I added quietly. "But you have my word, Dr. Sterling. Every last cent will be repaid."

Even if it took years of installments.

I added that last part silently, my confidence wavering.

"And then what?"

Ferris's demanding question snapped me back.

I thought for a moment before answering honestly. "Even if our arrangement ends, this agreement remains legally binding. The Hayes family honors its debts."

The unspoken subtext was clear: our marriage could be dissolved, but I wasn't going to default on the money.

"Selena Hayes," Ferris suddenly snapped, using my full name. His tone dripped with dripping condescension. "Am I supposed to applaud you for this?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but my blaring phone alarm cut me off.

Somehow, it was already Monday morning.

Today was my first official day reporting to the Department of Anesthesiology.

I had no energy left to spar with Ferris. I pointed at my phone. "Sorry, I need to get to work."

Ferris merely rolled his eyes, turning his back on me as he stalked into the bathroom.

An hour later, I successfully navigated my way to the fifth-floor west wing—the Anesthesiology Department.

Though I was half an hour early, the department was already buzzing with activity. The Nurse Manager, Hazel Hunter, beamed when she heard my name and ushered everyone over. "So this is Dr. Yates's exceptional new recruit! And she's gorgeous, too!"

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