Chapter 5
Bryan had come to find Scarlett, hitching a ride with Wayne.
When Belinda approached them, Bryan opened the car door and got out, saying, "I'm heading off." After he left, Belinda climbed into the car, sitting across from Wayne, slightly uneasy. She wondered if he had mistaken her for someone else but decided to see the benefits of being close to him.
The dean had always admired Scarlett, but suddenly, the opportunity to intern at the Second District Hospital had been given to her—thanks to Wayne. Belinda was determined to seize this rare chance, feeling that fate was in her favor.
"I won't lose this opportunity," she thought, lifting her gaze.
Wayne seemed surprised by her quick decision. He shifted slightly, appearing casual yet curious.
"I don't want anything," she replied, knowing that if she asked for marriage or benefits, she’d seem greedy.
She added, "I just want to be ordinary friends with you."
Wayne’s voice was calm. "Are you sure that's what you want?"
Belinda nodded, though she wondered if her choice was impulsive. He wouldn’t force her. "I respect your decision," he said.
At the hospital, Scarlett was in the break room, reading. After her shift, she didn’t feel like going back to Wayne’s place or home, so she stayed, absorbed in her books.
Bryan appeared, knocking on the door. "Why are you hiding here?" he asked.
"I'm not hiding," Scarlett said, closing her book. "What brings you here?"
"You helped me out, so I owe you a thank-you," he said with a smile. "Let me treat you to something nice."
She shook her head. "No, thanks."
"What's wrong? Are you upset?" Bryan sensed something was off.
Scarlett avoided his gaze. "No, I'm fine."
Bryan frowned, noticing her tone. "If something's bothering you, you can tell me."
"It's not that." She sighed. "I just... I won’t be working with you."
Bryan’s expression turned serious. "Did the director change his mind? Who got your spot? I’ll go talk to him."
Scarlett held his arm, shaking her head. She hadn’t given up on her dream; reality was just making things hard. She didn’t want to trouble Bryan.
Bryan clenched his fists. "I understand," he said, though it was hard to accept. "Let me treat you to dinner."
“Maybe next time.” She tried to smile.
Bryan knew she felt defeated and powerless but couldn’t swallow this injustice. He stormed directly to the dean’s office, his confidence backed by his family’s wealth.
The dean was on the phone when Bryan barged in. Quickly ending the call, the dean stood up, smiling. "Dr. Willow, what brings you here?"
"The spot at the main district hospital was meant for Scarlett. Why was it changed? Who bribed you? If you don’t explain, don't blame me for what happens next," Bryan demanded.
The dean looked troubled, sighing. "I had no choice. President Gray instructed me to take care of Dr. Carl. What could I do?"
Hearing Wayne’s name, Bryan’s brow furrowed. "Did he specifically ask you to give Scarlett’s position to Belinda?"
"If you're unhappy about it, take it up with him," the dean said, deflecting the issue.
Frustrated, Bryan stormed out, ready to confront Wayne. As he exited the hospital, he spotted Belinda stepping out of a car. He approached her, barely containing his anger.
"Doctor," Belinda greeted with a smile, oblivious to his irritation.
Bryan glanced inside the car, nodding briefly out of courtesy. After Belinda left, he couldn’t shake the irritation. Wayne, usually indifferent toward women, seemed to have taken an unusual interest in Belinda, which felt wrong.
"What do you even see in her?" Bryan muttered, wondering if there was something he didn’t know. But, for Wayne’s sake, he held back his thoughts.
As they left, Bryan resolved to do something for Scarlett. Just as he turned around, he saw her coming out of the hospital.
"Scarlett," Bryan called, stepping forward.
"I need to head back," she replied, attempting a smile.
Bryan’s heart ached. "I’ll do my best to help you find a heart match for your mother as soon as possible."
Scarlett’s face softened, though she tried to hide the hope. "Really?" She knew how rare such matches were.
Bryan smiled. "You don’t need to thank me."
After they parted, Scarlett took a cab back to the villa, feeling relieved to be alone. Wayne would probably never set foot there, which put her at ease. Mrs. Robert, noticing her lighter mood, teased, "Did something good happen?"
Scarlett shook her head as she changed her shoes. "I just enjoy living here with you, Mrs. Robert."
Mrs. Robert laughed, but a cold voice interrupted, "Am I the third wheel here?"
Startled, Scarlett looked up to see Wayne standing in the living room, looking down at her with disdain. She hadn’t expected him to show up. "Why are you… back?"
Wayne’s face darkened. "Do I need your permission to come home?" His tone was harsh.
Scarlett lowered her gaze, feeling as though he was invading his own space. "Sign it," he said, tossing a divorce agreement onto the table.
Scarlett glanced at the document, unsurprised but unable to agree to it yet—her mother’s surgery was still pending.
"Gray," she hesitated, "Can we..."
"Don’t want a divorce?" Wayne interrupted, cold and sarcastic. "Fine. Just don’t regret it." He turned to leave.
In a rush to catch up, Scarlett tripped, her bag spilling. Scrambling to gather her things, she noticed one item near Wayne’s feet. She reached for it, but he picked it up first.
His expression remained neutral, though a hint of interest flickered. It was a small blister pack—one pill remained. He turned it over, reading “72-hour emergency contraception.”
His cold gaze met hers, his tone mocking. "On our wedding night, you went looking for another man?"
Scarlett’s fingers curled into a fist, forcing herself to stand. She didn’t argue. She couldn’t.
"I never wanted to marry you," she said, her voice trembling.
Wayne threw the package at her face, grazing her cheek. She felt a stinging line of blood but stayed silent, bending down to pick up the pill.
"You like men? I’ll make sure you get what you want," Wayne said coldly and left.
The next morning, as Scarlett prepared for work, Christopher showed up at the villa.
