Chapter 1

The air in the VIP wing of Miller Hospital was clean and quiet, a stark contrast to the churning in Ethan Miller' s stomach. He sat on a plush leather chair, his fiancée, Olivia Hayes, next to him. She looked perfect, as always, her designer dress impeccable, her smile poised. She was the CEO of a successful company, the woman he was going to marry. This pre-marital check-up was supposed to be a formality, a simple step before their new life began.

A male nurse walked in, his name tag reading 'Liam White' . He had a friendly smile that didn' t quite reach his eyes.

He ignored Ethan completely and focused on Olivia.

"Miss Hayes, it' s an honor. I' ve seen you in the business magazines. You' re even more impressive in person."

His voice was smooth, full of flattery. Olivia gave a polite, practiced smile.

"Thank you."

Liam then turned to Ethan, and the warmth in his expression vanished. It was replaced by a cold, appraising look.

"You must be Ethan Miller."

He didn't offer a handshake. He just looked Ethan up and down, a faint sneer on his lips.

"Let' s get this started. I need to take your vitals."

The tone was dismissive, as if Ethan were an inconvenience. Before Ethan could even respond, Liam turned back to the small crowd of other patients and staff in the waiting area. His voice was suddenly loud, carrying across the quiet room.

"It' s very important for couples like you to get a full screening before marriage. Especially when one partner has a… colorful history."

A few heads turned. Ethan felt a hot flush of anger.

"What' s that supposed to mean?"

Liam picked up a clipboard, not looking at Ethan. His voice remained loud, performative.

"Oh, nothing specific. Just, you know, a man of your status. The parties, the lifestyle. It' s always better to be safe than sorry, for Miss Hayes' s sake. We wouldn' t want any surprises, like a hidden STI, to ruin the honeymoon."

The word 'STI' hung in the air, ugly and loud. People were openly staring now, whispering to each other. Olivia' s smile tightened at the edges.

Ethan stood up, his voice low and tight with anger. He wanted to keep his composure. This was his family' s hospital, and he wouldn' t cause a scene.

"I think you' re being unprofessional. Perhaps you don' t realize where you are."

Liam finally looked at him, a flicker of something malicious in his eyes.

"Oh, I know exactly where I am. I' m just a nurse trying to do my job, looking out for a respectable woman like Miss Hayes."

He gestured around the VIP lounge, at the expensive art and the quiet luxury.

"This place doesn't change the facts of biology, Mr. Miller. Rich or poor, the tests don' t lie."

The whispers from the onlookers grew louder. They were looking at Ethan with judgment, their faces a mixture of pity and contempt. They saw a wealthy playboy being called out, and they believed every word.

Ethan felt trapped. The accusation was absurd, a complete fabrication, but in this public setting, the damage was already being done.

He looked at Olivia, expecting her to leap to his defense, to shut this man down.

Instead, she placed a gentle hand on his arm.

"Ethan, let' s just get it over with. It' s just a check-up. Let' s not make a scene."

Her voice was calm, reasonable. But her words felt like a betrayal. He was being publicly slandered, and she wanted him to just endure it. For a moment, he considered walking out, but the thought of their wedding, of the future they had planned, held him in place. He had to do this, for her.

He sat back down, the anger a hard knot in his chest.

"Fine. Let' s get it over with."

Liam smiled, a thin, triumphant smile. He had won the first round.