Chapter 2

Chloe's POV

Julian was back.

"You didn't make soup tonight?"

The man asked as he kicked off his shoes at the door.

Indeed, I hadn't. And I never would again.

Ever since Maya joined the team, most of the soup I left on Julian's desk ended up in her stomach anyway.

I held the cardboard box and kept walking.

"I didn't feel like making any."

"Wait."

Julian called out.

I stopped, but I didn't turn around.

Julian glanced at the box in my arms. "What are you doing with those?"

"They're old. Time to get rid of them," I said, and walked out the door.

Julian stood by the entrance, watching me carry the box to the trash chute.

He didn't say anything else and went back to his room.

Even though I had lived here for three months, we slept in separate bedrooms. We never disturbed each other.

The next morning, I arrived at the hospital and went straight to the Chief of Medicine's office instead of my department.

I was there to hand in my resignation.

Dr. Mitchell listened to me, thought for a moment, and said, "Chloe, I highly respect your work ethic. But I won't interfere with your personal choices."

"However, Maya just joined the team, and she still needs to get used to working with Julian. The resignation process takes thirty days. During this month, could you stay and help Maya out?"

He paused, then added, "Let Maya take over as the First Assistant. You can work as the Second Assistant. What do you think?"

Dr. Mitchell was Maya's father. It was no surprise he wanted me to act as his daughter's training wheels.

I nodded. "Okay."

I stood up to leave. Just as I reached the door, Dr. Mitchell's voice came from behind me. "I'll approve your resignation directly. There's no need to tell Julian. I don't want this affecting his surgeries."

I paused for a fraction of a second, then let out a dry laugh. "Understood, Chief."

I hadn't planned on telling Julian anyway.

When you decide to let go, you don't need a grand announcement. I didn't even need Julian to know.

When I walked back to our department, I could hear Maya's laughter before I even opened the door.

She was sharing stories from the medical forum with our colleagues, talking about a cutting-edge surgical technique she had seen. Everyone was listening intently.

The moment I walked in, Maya greeted me with a bright smile.

"Chloe! Julian was complaining about stomach pain after his surgery last night. I went to his lounge to grab some soup for him, but I couldn't find any. Did you forget to make it?"

The room went dead silent. Everyone looked at me with different expressions.

Some felt pity, some were curious, and others quickly looked down, pretending they hadn't heard.

I ignored the unspoken drama in the room.

I met Maya's gaze, my voice calm but crystal clear. "I'm Julian's surgical assistant, not his housekeeper. Late-night meals aren't in my job description. If you want to make it yourself, Maya, I can send you the recipe."

Maya's smile froze on her face. She looked incredibly embarrassed.

"Get back to work, everyone," Julian's voice cut through the awkward silence as he stepped into the room.

But his scanning gaze immediately landed on me.

In the past, colleagues often teased me about acting like Julian's personal maid.

Julian always ignored it.

And I never defended myself.

This was the first time I had ever fired back, and I had done it so formally and coldly.

"Chloe, in my office. Now."

I followed Julian into his office.

Once the door clicked shut, he turned to face me.

His tone was the same as always, like a boss checking in on an underperforming employee.

For a moment, I was speechless. I didn't know where his question came from, nor did I know how to answer.

Seeing my silence, Julian actually attempted to explain. "Taking Maya to the forum was just to help her gain experience. You don't need to be petty about..."

I lost all patience to hear him out.

So, he thought I was throwing a tantrum because he took Maya to the forum, and that was why I didn't make him soup.

I laughed at myself in my head. What a pathetic excuse.

Years ago, when I was the one who lacked experience and knowledge, he had never offered to take me to help me "gain experience."

"Julian."

I cut him off.

This was the first time in over ten years I had ever interrupted him.

Julian had a beautiful voice, and he didn't talk much. Whenever he spoke, I used to listen intently. Even if he was scolding me, I never had the heart to cut him off.

Julian was visibly stunned.

"I don't care about that," I swallowed the bitterness in my throat, trying my best to sound calm. "Let's end this relationship."

I couldn't even bring myself to say the word "breakup."

Only people who were actually in love had the right to use that word. Had he and I ever truly been together?

I was just his girlfriend in name only.