Chapter 2

The second time I saw Julian was strictly business.

His company had made a massive donation of medical equipment to our hospital.

In the boardroom, I stood beside the projector, giving a clear, professional presentation on the clinic's history and milestones.

Julian sat in the front row, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the mahogany table.

The medical director called his name twice, but Julian didn't react at all.

I paused and looked at him. Only then did he snap out of it, his eyes locking onto my face with a fleeting, dazed expression.

The director laughed smoothly to break the silence.

"Looks like Dr. Hayes's presentation is so captivating that Mr. Vance got completely lost in it!"

A few colleagues joined in the lighthearted chuckle, and the tension evaporated.

When the meeting ended, I let out a long breath.

My only goal was to finish my shift and never cross paths with Julian Vance again.

Of course, life had other plans. My department head intercepted me on the way out.

"Chloe, there's a dinner tonight with the donors. You have to be there!"

That evening, I trailed behind my boss into the private dining room, aiming for the quietest corner I could find.

Julian's voice cut in before I could even pull out a chair.

"Sit next to me."

He pulled out the empty seat beside him, his eyes fixed dead on mine.

The room fell dead silent for a second.

He added casually, playing it off like an innocent request.

"I'd like to learn more about the department's operations. Dr. Hayes wouldn't mind giving me some insight, would she?"

That neatly boxed me in.

My boss beamed, nudging me forward while violently signaling with his eyes for me to play along.

I took a quiet, steadying breath.

It's just business, I told myself. Don't let him get to you.

I sat down stiffly, every nerve in my body screaming in protest.

Halfway through the meal, a tender slice of prime rib was placed directly onto my plate.

Julian leaned in slightly, his voice dropping into that familiar, persuasive tone.

"I remember how much you love steak. The cuts here are the best in the city. Try it."

I stared at the glistening meat, a sudden wave of bitterness catching in my throat.

Not for him. For myself.

I had never liked steak.

It was Julian who loved it, and over time, his preference had simply replaced mine.

In my previous life, he hated seafood, so I stopped eating fish entirely—even though salmon had always been my favorite.

Julian never knew that. He never bothered to notice anything that wasn't about himself.

Seeing that I wasn't touching my plate, a warm hand suddenly covered mine beneath the tablecloth.

I jerked back as if I had been stung by a scorpion, shooting to my feet.

Clatter!

My chair tumbled backward, rattling the silverware across the table.

Every eye in the room locked onto me.

I pressed my lips together and forced out an excuse.

"Excuse me. I'm not feeling well. I have to go."

Then, I turned and practically ran out the door.