Chapter 5

Chloe's POV

Julian had been a prodigy since he was a kid. He was always at the top of his class and a favorite among the teachers.

Because of his status, the school took the bullying incident very seriously. The older students were suspended, and they never bothered us again.

I was safe.

From then on, I walked home from school right behind Julian, keeping a short distance, acting like his little shadow.

I was terrified he would find me annoying and push me away, so I never dared to initiate a conversation.

Julian never spoke either, but he never ran me off.

I wasn't a genius like him, but I studied as hard as I could just to get into the same schools he chose.

We walked like that from middle school to high school, and then to medical school.

I really thought we would walk together for the rest of our lives.

"Are you okay?" His cold voice snapped me back to reality.

I blinked. "I'm fine. Thank you, Julian."

In that brief second, my heart wavered.

"No need to thank me. You saved my life last time. Consider this payback," Julian said coldly.

His words felt like an icy bucket of water dumped over my head.

So that was it.

I took a knife for him, so he took an IV pole for me.

We were even now. He didn't owe me anything anymore.

Julian, when you asked me to be your girlfriend, you must have been so reluctant, right?

It's okay. Soon, you won't have to play the part anymore.

You're free.

Suppressing the sharp pain in my chest, I nodded. "Right. We're even now."

Julian stared at my face for a second, then turned and walked away without another word.

With the aggressive family member escorted away and Julian relatively unhurt, the crisis was over.

But the Cardiology Department was the crown jewel of the hospital, and Julian was their star surgeon. Naturally, Chief Mitchell had to come down to personally show his concern.

After a few minutes of professional pleasantries, Dr. Mitchell said with fatherly concern, "Julian, you are the face of our hospital. You must protect yourself."

His eyes shifted to me as he continued, "Don't just throw yourself in front of danger for anyone. Leave that to hospital security."

Julian didn't say a word.

Maya quickly stepped in to ease the tension, tugging at her father's arm. "Dad, Julian was just looking out for his colleague."

Dr. Mitchell chuckled, looking at Julian warmly. "Julian, you've trained her well. Maya has been stubborn since she was a kid. She never listens to me, but she hangs onto your every word! I guess I'll have to trouble you to keep looking after her in the future."

Anyone with a brain could hear that the Chief wasn't just talking about work.

Julian glanced over at me.

I was holding my thermos, slowly sipping water, looking completely detached as if their conversation had absolutely nothing to do with me.

Julian's throat bobbed, and he finally spoke. "Dr. Mitchell is very bright and fast. She's making great progress."

Silence meant agreement.

The looks our colleagues exchanged became laced with romantic gossip, while some threw pitying glances my way.

I kept my head down, sipping my water, pretending I was completely oblivious.

A moment later, I went to the restroom.

As I walked past the corner of the hallway, my footsteps suddenly froze.

From the quiet corner came Maya's cheerful, bold voice.

"Julian, I like you. I've liked you since the first moment I saw you. Will you be my boyfriend?"

Before he could answer, Maya leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

Julian went stiff, his ears turning bright red.

He was about to say something when his eyes caught mine standing a few yards away.

I just stood there, watching quietly.

I had tried to initiate physical contact with him before.

I had tried to hold his hand.

But the moment my fingertips brushed his, he would flinch away as if he had been electrocuted.

Yet, when Maya kissed him, he didn't push her away, nor did he flinch.

It was just another piece of evidence confirming a truth I already knew all too well.

I turned and walked away.

Maybe too many things had happened today. As I walked away, my legs felt weak, and I stumbled slightly.