The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 7

The four of us stood together.

Perhaps because Ferris was too eye-catching, we drew quite a few lingering stares.

I felt a bit uncomfortable under the scrutiny. As my gaze swept over Zoey, I noticed her looking up at Ferris with pure admiration. She looked far more secure than I ever had.

I knew exactly what that was. It was the absolute confidence of a woman who knew she was protected.

"Ferris said it's almost lunchtime," she chirped, her tone rising with innocent, girlish delight. "He offered to treat me to a huge meal at the hospital cafeteria."

Leon cast a bewildered look at me, then at Zoey standing next to Ferris. "Dr. Sterling, aren't you going to introduce us?"

Ferris was remarkably brief. "Zoey. She's a junior from the medical school."

Zoey blinked her doe-like eyes, reading Leon's name tag. "Hello, Dr. Lennox. It's so nice to meet you. I hope to learn from you in the future."

Leon nodded with an awkward laugh, his gaze continuously darting back to my face. Pity practically spilled from his eyes.

"Selena, why don't we all eat together?" Zoey offered sincerely, then looked up at Ferris. "Ferris is going to give me a tour of Capital General later. You can join us too, Selena."

Her adoration was entirely unmasked, but that devotion quietly stabbed at my chest.

They had only known each other for a month. I had spent three full years slaving away for Ferris as his wife, yet he hadn't even let me step foot inside the Department of Neurosurgery.

Let alone give me a personal tour of Capital General.

"No thanks," I refused flatly, shooting a look at Ferris. "Besides, I already know the layout of Capital General like the back of my hand."

With that, I spun on my heel and walked away.

And it wasn't an exaggeration. Over the past three years, outside of the university and that apartment, the place I frequented most was Capital General.

During my most desperate, clingy phase, I showed up at the hospital almost every other day. I knew exactly which departments were on floors one through five, whether the lab and imaging centers were on the left or the right, exactly how long it took to walk from the outpatient clinic to the inpatient ward, and what time the elevators were the most crowded. I had it all mapped out.

I had fantasized that one day, when Ferris casually brought up a minor detail about his day, I'd be able to reply effortlessly, ensuring the conversation never died.

The sick irony was that I spent every waking moment plotting how to be the perfect wife, completely forgetting that my marriage to Ferris was nothing but a transactional deal.

At the intersection, Leon suddenly jogged after me.

"It's hard to catch a cab in this rainy weather. How about I give you a ride?"

He was holding a long men's umbrella, naturally extending it over my head to shield me. He must have sprinted over because his breathing was ragged.

"Thanks, but I'm fine." I had memorized the subway route back to that empty house ages ago.

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