Chapter 2

I was too stunned to react.

But the conversation in my ear continued.

"Chloe, I love you just the way you are. You don't need to change anything for me."

Chloe giggled shyly, nestling into his arms.

"But, darling, I don't want you to exhaust yourself for me..."

"We have a long life ahead of us. I want to take things slow."

Julian chuckled softly.

"With my little firecracker by my side,"

"We could go on forever... until the end of time."

They continued their flirtation, oblivious to anyone else. My body went cold, my blood turning to ice.

Chloe suddenly let out a startled cry.

"Oh, darling, the doctor is still here. Don't let her see us making a spectacle."

Julian looked up.

His expression froze when he met my pale face.

But only for a second. He quickly composed himself.

"Doctors have professional ethics, of course. They won't listen or watch too closely."

"Dr. Lin, wouldn't you agree?"

I stared intently at the man before me, saying nothing.

Julian leaned closer, his voice a low threat meant only for my ears.

"Clara, have you forgotten? Your dream is to become the director of a hospital, and I can make that happen."

"—As long as you're a good girl and do as you're told."

I clenched my fists, then slowly released them.

I was an aesthetic doctor, working at a cosmetic clinic.

But Julian had made me a promise.

If I was obedient and a good wife,

in three months, he would invest in me to open my own cosmetic hospital.

I took a deep breath, trying to force my emotions back down.

Unexpectedly, the woman next to me yanked my arm hard.

"Stay away from my husband!"

Chloe glared at me, possessive, like a territorial cat.

"Darling, do you know this woman?"

Julian cleared his throat, his hand instinctively going to his mouth to hide a knowing smirk.

"Just a doctor."

"A friend's wife recommended her after getting some aesthetic work done."

Chloe murmured "Oh," but her suspicious gaze remained fixed on me.

"Why were you standing so close to my husband just now? Are you trying to seduce him?"

Her voice was too loud, drawing strange looks from everyone around.

I scoffed, instantly fed up.

I pulled out the photo of my marriage certificate from my phone's album.

"Look closely. Who exactly is his husband?"

"I am his legal wife, married with a certificate. You're nothing but a shameful mistress."

Chloe's face drained of color, inch by inch.

She was utterly enraged and lunged at me, tearing at my hair.

"You bitch! Don't you have any professional ethics?!"

"That photo must be Photoshopped!"

"I've been to your clinic several times, and my husband always picks me up. You must have seen how handsome and rich he is and gotten some twisted ideas!"

I couldn't be bothered to argue with her, so I forcefully pushed her away.

Chloe stumbled backward, losing her balance.

Julian, quick as a flash, caught her, then glared coldly at me:

"Who gave you permission to lay a hand on my wife?"

"It seems you're looking to be fired!"

It was the first time Julian had ever looked so grim toward me.

Turning back, he gently soothed Chloe.

"There, there, you know I never bother with those scheming women out there."

Before leaving, he shot me a chilling look.

And told the director,

"Fire Clara Lin."

My body went rigid.

I never imagined Julian would go this far for another woman, knowing how much I loved this job.

"What are you staring at?! You pathetic woman no man wants, staring blankly at someone else's husband, how shameless!"

Chloe shoved me viciously.

I lost my footing, falling backward, my head hitting a sharp corner with a sickening thud.

A nurse shrieked:

"Dr. Lin, are you okay?!"

"So much blood..."

She frantically helped me up.

As my consciousness blurred, I watched Julian walk away, his arm still around Chloe.

I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.

From beginning to end.

Julian hadn't even turned his head once when he heard I was injured.

I was rushed into the operating room.

When I opened my eyes, I heard the attending physician talking to the nurse:

"She's out of danger, and instrument scans show the bruise on her occipital lobe seems to have been cleared by this impact..."

The doctor paused, lowering his voice.

"Dr. Lin had amnesia before, didn't she? This time, she might remember everything."