Chapter 1

The new intern messed up a patient's history, causing the patient to go into anaphylactic shock.

As her mentor, I took all the blame and the heat for her mistake.

I never expected my boyfriend, Xavier Jenson, who was always known for being strictly professional, to actually suspend me.

"Sonia Ward, what right do you have to feel aggrieved? Her mistake is your failure!"

"Go apologize to the patient's family yourself. Don't bother coming in for the next week."

After saying that, he skillfully draped his arm around the intern's shoulder and walked away, leaving me to rot.

That night, I saw Xavier share a post on social media of an expensive necklace with the caption, "Cheering up my wounded little one tonight."

I thought it was an apology gift for me, but instead, I received a text saying he wouldn't be coming home.

In an instant, all the love and trust I had for him collapsed.

I'm truly done with you this time, Xavier.

When Xavier pushed the door open, I was sitting on the sofa, staring into space.

The room lights flickered on suddenly, and he was clearly startled by my presence.

"Sonia, what are you doing?"

Xavier's voice was cold and flat, showing no emotion, yet I could still feel the underlying tension in him.

What was I doing?

That question left so many words stuck in my throat, and I didn't know where to start.

Should I ask why he threw all the guilt on me without even checking the facts?

Or should I ask if his so-called overtime was actually spent giving a romantic gift to another woman?

"Dr. Ward!"

Before I could speak, a high-pitched, sweet voice came from behind Xavier.

It was Seraphina Ross.

"I really didn't expect you to be home."

"Dr. Jenson was afraid I'd be too upset after today, so he took me to a movie to cheer me up. That's why we're late. Please don't be mad at him."

Her tone had a slight quiver at the end, making her sound playful and cute.

As she spoke, my gaze locked onto her neck. She was wearing the exact gemstone necklace Xavier had posted earlier.

My heart felt like a balloon that had been suddenly popped―shattered and empty.

Xavier was famous for being a cold, straight-laced guy.

Back in medical school, his nickname was the "Iron-Faced Reaper."

His heart only held room for medicine, and after starting work, he was completely devoted to his patients, never bothered by things like emotional support.

Not even for me, his childhood friend.

Today, for Seraphina's sake, he had lost his mind and yelled at me for the first time. He didn't even give me a chance to explain before rushing to judge me.

And now, he was busy comforting the person who actually caused the mess.

The bruises on my back, where the patient's family had struck me, began to throb with pain again.

Resentment and grievance surged into my heart all at once.

Forgetting my professional image, I screamed like a madwoman.

"I took the fall for you! What do you have to be upset about!"

Seraphina didn't expect me to explode like that, and her eyes turned red instantly.

She sniffled and gave a deep, tearful bow.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Ward. I didn't know I would make you this angry!"

Seraphina looked like a reed swaying in the wind. She looked at Xavier anxiously, as if she were about to faint, but a pair of strong hands caught her.

"Sonia, you've gone too far."

Xavier's voice was as steady as ever, his face a mask of calm.

"I went too far? If Nurse Hattie hadn't noticed in time, that old lady would have died from shock because of her!"

Hearing this, Seraphina's tears fell like rain, but she kept up her innocent and strong act.

"It's my fault. I'll go apologize to them! I'll pay with my life! Dr. Ward, please don't be mad at Dr. Jenson anymore!"

She stepped forward to grab my hand.

That was when I noticed the silver bracelet on her wrist.

I had handmade that for Xavier's birthday last year.

"How did you get this!"

I gripped her hand tightly, ignoring her cries of pain as I forcefully yanked the bracelet off.

"Sonia! Stop acting like a psycho!"

Xavier, who had been watching the drama, couldn't sit still anymore. He shoved me hard onto the sofa.