I had been chewed out by my boss today and worked late, dragging my exhausted body back to the home I shared with Dr. Julian Thorne. As soon as I opened the door, Julian, sitting upright at his desk, said without changing his expression, "Change your slippers, take a shower." I took a deep breath. Having just been criticized by my boss, maybe the anger went to my head, or maybe I just snapped. Tears of grievance fell. Instead of changing my slippers, I carelessly threw my bag and lay directly on the sofa. "Julian, let's break up." Julian didn't even look up, ignoring my words directly. "Looks like the sofa cover needs to be thrown away tomorrow, and the floor needs to be mopped." I gritted my teeth and repeated clearly, word by word, "Julian, let's, break, up!" This was the sixth time I had brought up breaking up in half a year. I admit I like Julian and can't bear to leave him, but I really can't stand it anymore. Not just because he has mysophobia, but because he has mysophobia towards me too. In the year we've been together, holding hands can be counted on one hand—only once. Kissing, hugging, all the things couples should do, we've never done. Just because Julian is a person who loves cleanliness so much that he washes his hands three times after shaking hands with a friend. What's even more hateful is that in the two months we lived together, we slept in separate rooms. I couldn't enter his room. The first thing I had to do when I got home was change my slippers and take a shower. Even going to the toilet required cleaning it seriously with toilet bowl cleaner first, and doing the same operation afterwards. Once I got lazy and just flushed with water. As a result, Julian replaced the toilet the next day. A miserable life, a miserable me! I knew clearly that Julian didn't love me. I wasn't the special one, and I couldn't be the special one in the future. Chapter 1 Julian finally looked up at me, his captivating eyes glancing at me slightly. I couldn't see the emotion in his eyes clearly, only feeling they were exceptionally calm. He said, "Thought it through?" My heart suddenly clenched. The last time we broke up, Julian asked the same thing. At that time, I eventually softened spinelessly. How could liking someone be so easily let go? But this time, I didn't intend to compromise. If he didn't love me! Why did he accept my confession in the first place? If he didn't want to touch a finger of mine, why did he agree to live with me? I didn't want to live days like this for another second. Being with Julian, I lived in fear like a stranger for a year. I also wanted to do nothing when I got home, lie on the sofa and scroll through my phone, instead of changing slippers, showering, and constantly worrying about dirtying his territory. I wiped away my tears and sat up. "Thought it through." "I'll pack my luggage and move out later." Julian frowned, giving me a deep look, but ultimately didn't ask me to stay. "Okay, do you want me to call a car for you?" I clutched my chest, took a deep breath, and muttered to myself, "Don't be angry, don't be angry, don't argue with an idiot..." I got up and went back to my room to pack my luggage angrily, looking like I was running away from home. But when I got to the door, the more I thought about it, the more unwilling I felt. Why should I be so uncomfortable, while Julian could remain unmoved? No, I had to make him uncomfortable too. I couldn't bear this pain alone. So I dropped my luggage and walked aggressively towards Julian at the desk. Julian rarely showed a trace of confusion. "Chloe Vance, what do you want to do?" But why would I explain? I just forced myself on him, grabbing Julian's collar and kissing him. Then I bit his lip in revenge. Not only that, I reached out and touched his chest all over. Before Julian had a chance to react, I ran away dragging my luggage. Behind me came Julian's roar, "Chloe Vance! Are you crazy!" That was my first kiss with him, and also the last. News of my breakup with Julian spread quickly. After moving out of his apartment, I met with the manager who tried to poach me to their company last time. It was a state-owned enterprise, but they had always cooperated with foreign companies. After discussing the salary and benefits, I bought a plane ticket without hesitation and flew out of this city that broke my heart. Just a week into the new company, I won the opportunity to go abroad for training and further studies based on my previous excellent performance. I admit I wanted to escape. I didn't want to see Julian again because I was afraid I would soften again. Sitting on the plane flying abroad, looking at the countable and not intimate photos with Julian in my phone album, tears fell again. Then I reached out and deleted them all. Julian, I will make you regret not cherishing me properly! Crying and crying, I was afraid of ruining my expensive makeup, so I picked up my portable mirror and wiped my tears... After half a year of further studies, I returned to the new company and worked hard for the boss. Gradually... I missed Julian less. Perhaps this is the power of time. I made a cup of coffee boredly. Footsteps sounded behind me. I didn't look back, but the man behind me called my name, "Chloe Vance, still working overtime?" I turned to look at the person who came. It was our department's new colleague, Ryan Moore. He was also very hardworking. Compared to me back then, he was even more so. When he first arrived, I teased him, "Are you also heartbroken?" At that time, he answered me, "Yes." Probably out of mutual pity, we quickly became familiar. Sometimes we traveled together on business, closer than best buddies. I took a sip of coffee. "Isn't it obvious?" Ryan laughed. "Be careful you don't go bald." I rolled my eyes at him. "Nothing good comes out of a dog's mouth." Ryan said again after a while, "There's a party tomorrow night. Do me a favor?" I said directly, "No." Ding ding, Venmo notification: Ryan Moore transferred you $5000. I accepted it happily, then looked up at him. "I take back what I just said. Say it, what favor? As long as I can do it, I'll go through fire and water to get it done for you." Ryan had a sly expression. "Pretend to be my girlfriend." I said shamelessly, "Add another thousand." Ryan twitched the corner of his mouth. "Pleasure doing business." The next night, I wore a hot, waist-cinching red dress and followed Ryan into the party venue. Although my figure wasn't particularly great, it was considered above average, and my face wasn't bad. Ryan would definitely look good. Ryan greeted his friends enthusiastically and then introduced me to them. Adhering to professional ethics, I held Ryan's arm, looking intimate. When the crowd dispersed a bit, my peripheral vision paused, and my smile froze on my face. Not for anything else, but because I saw an incredibly familiar figure, a figure I had escaped for two years but hadn't forgotten. My gaze followed that man step by step as he walked over. Julian Thorne. The person I would recognize even if he turned to ashes. Seeing Julian arrive, Ryan immediately perked up. "Dr. Thorne, you're finally here. We've been waiting for you for a long time." "This is my girlfriend, Chloe Vance." Chapter 2 I forced an awkward smile. Julian's gaze remained on me, and then I heard his deep voice, "Chloe, Vance? Your girlfriend?" As soon as these words came out, I suddenly felt the air turn cold. Must be an illusion. I swallowed. Chloe Vance! What are you afraid of? You've already broken up, you have nothing to do with each other! After some mental comfort, I adjusted my state, raised a smile, and extended my hand. "Hello, Dr. Thorne." Julian held his wine glass and didn't extend his hand for a long time. I knew he definitely wouldn't. This person with severe mysophobia, who washes his hands three times after shaking hands with friends, how could he shake hands with me, especially his detestable ex-girlfriend. I still remember, after I forced myself on him, Julian looked shocked. His neat white shirt was messed up by me, and there were beads of blood on his lips from my bite. Like an abstinent male god being ravaged. Thinking about it, I felt a little excited inside? Seeing Julian staring at me without extending his hand, Ryan tried to pull my hand back to alleviate the awkwardness. But the next second, Julian reached out and shook my hand. "Hello, Chloe Vance." I almost thought Julian was going to say, long time no see, my detestable ex-girlfriend. What shocked me even more was that Julian actually shook my hand! Could it be that after two years, this man has reformed? I gave a suspicious smirk, then quickly withdrew my hand and linked arms with Ryan again. Ryan laughed heartily. "I didn't expect the always germaphobic Dr. Thorne to be willing to initiate a handshake. Haven't seen you for a year, you've changed a lot, at least acting like a normal person..." Seeming to realize his words were a bit inappropriate, Ryan quickly said apologetically, "No no no, I didn't mean that hahaha." Julian didn't mind, didn't even look at him, but glanced at me and said, "It's fine, what you said is indeed correct." Me: "Hehe, hehe." Why don't I believe it at all. Julian turned and left after chatting for a bit. My heart itched. When no one was around, I pulled Ryan to whisper, "How do you know this Dr. Thorne? I haven't heard you mention him as a friend before?" Ryan said, "Ah, a year ago I had a car accident near his place and went into the emergency room. At that time he despised me because my wounds had motor oil, my clothes were full of sand, and my sweat stank. I tell you, I fainted but could be woken up by his anger." "Later I found out he was a severe germaphobe and thought it was quite interesting. It took a lot of effort to win him over as a friend." I almost couldn't hold back my laughter. I asked again, "Then why did he come all the way to your party today? Isn't he very busy?" Ryan looked at me with burning eyes. "How do you know he's very busy?" I was speechless for a moment, then twisted my tongue. "Aren't doctors all like that? Maybe there's an emergency patient anytime." Speaking of this, I recalled my sad history. Since I confessed to Julian and got together with him, Julian had been busy every day. So busy that I might not even say a few words to him a day. Most of the time I was curled up on the sofa watching TV by myself. Boyfriend in name only. Yet, I bravely stayed with Julian for a year. I admired myself too. Ryan seemed to stop doubting and said, "True. But recently, he came here on a business trip. Heard it's for a transfer. The provincial hospital invited him several times, but I guess Julian probably won't come here to develop." I was startled. Transfer? Come here to develop? Isn't this killing me? Back then I tried so hard to escape the sad place where he was. Now Julian has a chance to come here to develop? But since he refused several times, it's probably unlikely. Thinking of this, my heart went back into my stomach. Ryan leaned in mysteriously. "What? You fancy him?" I rolled my eyes at him. "Would you fancy an abnormal person?" Ryan thought about it and felt it made sense. "Sigh, seems like anyone who fancies Julian probably has some cleanliness issues like him." Me: "?" I felt like I was being scolded. Ryan was called away by other friends to drink and brag, and I wasn't suitable for that scene. I drank too much wine and wanted to go to the bathroom. But just walking out of the banquet hall, I saw a figure on the railing. Dressed in a suit, but in my eyes, I could see him in a white coat saving lives, doing surgery with those good-looking long hands while despising the patient for being dirty here and there. I suddenly couldn't hold back a laugh, then lightened my footsteps, planning to slip away. I simply didn't know how to face Julian. But I only moved two steps before being stopped by a familiar voice, "Chloe Vance, where are you planning to run this time?" Indeed, when it rains, it pours. I took a deep breath, then turned around calmly. "Oh my, isn't this Dr. Thorne? I don't seem to know you very well. Where I run to has nothing to do with you, right?" Julian squinted and walked towards me aggressively. I felt the pressure. "Not very well? Can't I care about my ex-girlfriend?" Care. This word actually came out of Julian's mouth. I thought he never cared about people. I forced a smile awkwardly. "Dr. Thorne, you seem to have forgotten, we have already broken up." Julian was tall, fully a head and a half taller than me. Looking straight, my eyes could only see his chest. Seeing his chest, I thought of the forced kiss scene two years ago. Today he was also wearing a suit with a white shirt inside, tied with a neat bow tie, exuding an aura of abstinence. My heart screamed, Chloe Vance! I knew how could you be that kind of abnormal person, you definitely chased Julian because you coveted his beauty. "You are Ryan's girlfriend?" I was stunned, not expecting Julian to ask such an idiotic question. Didn't I just introduce us to him? "Yes." "Break up with him. Not allowed to see him again." I looked up at him in surprise. Still those captivating eyes, but this time, they were no longer calm, no longer waveless, but had anger, even exuding a liveliness. I got angry. "Are you sick? Go get treated if you are sick." After saying that, I didn't intend to entangle with him anymore and turned to leave. But the next second, my wrist was grabbed by Julian. A strong force pulled me into his arms, and Julian's low voice sounded in my ear, "Chloe Vance, two years no see, you've really grown capable." Then, after finishing, he actually kissed my earlobe voluntarily, then bit it lightly. My brain exploded instantly. Julian must be sick today. Not only did he hug me voluntarily, but he also kissed me. "Julian Thorne! Let go of me. What do you mean? Believe it or not, I'll sue you for molesting a married woman?" Chapter 3 My forehead throbbed twice, and I coughed, "I told you I have a boyfriend." Julian suddenly laughed, "Boyfriend? Ryan already confessed everything. Said you scammed him out of six thousand dollars." Me, "..." At this moment, another familiar voice called me again, "Chloe..." Ryan walked out from inside and closed the door, "You guys know each other, don't you?" This matter definitely couldn't be covered up anymore; had to admit it. "Yeah, he is my, um, somewhat abnormal ex-boyfriend." I originally thought Ryan would gossip about us very much, but he just looked at Julian with some hostility, then said, "He harassed you just now?" I nodded vigorously. Julian squinted his captivating eyes, looking very angry. Ryan pulled me over and said to Julian, "Although I treat you as a friend, Julian, since you didn't keep Chloe two years ago, why come to harass her now?" Makes a lot of sense. But when I looked up and saw the loss flashing in Julian's eyes, my heart tightened unconsciously again. Then, Ryan took me away in front of Julian. We didn't go back to the party but got directly into the car. I was distracted all the way until Ryan called me, and I came back to my senses. "Chloe, do you still like Julian?" Inexplicably, I heard the caution in Ryan's tone. I paused and didn't make a sound. I couldn't answer. The car was very quiet. Finally, I heard Ryan give a bitter laugh and say with forced ease, "I know. By the way, thanks for pretending to be my girlfriend today. In the future, you won't be able to scam my money. I'll take you home." I wasn't a girl experiencing first love; of course, I knew Ryan's subtle feelings. So I said, "Sorry." "No need to trouble you. I'll take a taxi back myself later." My tone was polite and distant. Ryan watched me get out of the passenger seat but didn't stop me. The car stopped in front of me for about a minute and finally drove away. I took a taxi all the way home and sat on the sofa in a daze for a long time. Two years later, I thought I had let go long ago. But the moment I saw Julian, the high wall I worked so hard to build in my heart collapsed without attack. Fragile beyond imagination. The more I thought about it, the sadder I got. Finally, turning grief into appetite, I tearfully ordered barbecue and fried chicken. I only drank alcohol at the banquet just now, so of course I was hungry now. As a result, I ate myself into the hospital in the middle of the night. The cause was gastritis. I realized that living alone these two years was really comfortable. I could do nothing when I got home, lie on the sofa and play with my phone, order takeout when hungry, drink soda when thirsty. It affected my stomach more or less. In a daze, I suddenly remembered that during the year I was with Julian, although he demanded perfection in my personal affairs, he would also knock on the door every day to call me up for meals. Meals he cooked personally. It's just that every time I ate, I would be despised by him. For example: you dropped rice grains; can you use serving chopsticks to pick up food; can you not spill the soup. It seems his mysophobia is always the most vivid thing, vivid enough to make people forget everything else about him. I ended up in the provincial hospital, as luck would have it, and saw Julian's familiar face again. That was the first time I saw him look panicked. Behind him followed a group of doctors in white coats. Then I was pushed away by him. I became a patient under his care. I endured the severe pain in my stomach and asked, "You're not a doctor here, why are you taking charge?" Julian said without changing his expression, "Will be in the future." My heart was dead ashes, and I didn't speak again. At this time, Julian raised his hand and wiped my mouth with his fingers gloved in medical gloves. I felt something was wrong. Sure enough, Julian raised an eyebrow, "Fried chicken? Or barbecue?" "Shut up." The nurse beside me comforted me while saying, "Don't worry. Might need a gastroscopy. Do you want it directly or under general anesthesia? General anesthesia requires a family member's signature." I was shocked. I fear nothing in heaven or on earth, but I am most afraid of injections and surgeries. Thinking of seeing others do gastroscopy before, such a thick tube shoved directly down the throat, I was scared to death. "General anesthesia, I want general anesthesia." The nurse nodded, "Okay, where is your family member?" I suddenly remembered that I am actually an orphan with no parents. When I was a senior in high school, my parents died in a car accident. I finished college relying on that little compensation and scholarships. Where in this world do I have family members? Julian glanced at me, then said to the nurse, "Go get the consent form. I am her family member. I'll sign." I gave Julian a weird look, but the severe pain in my abdomen made me unable to speak at all. One shot of anesthetic and I was unconscious. When I woke up, I was lying in a hospital bed, and a nurse was checking my IV. I swallowed my dry throat and asked, "Nurse sister, where is that Dr. Thorne?" That nurse was the one who gave me the anesthesia. She looked down at me. "Dr. Thorne went back to his hospital. He can only come here for duty in two days." My eyes were dizzy. "He agreed to transfer?" The nurse held back a laugh and nodded. "Yes, after all, his family is here. Can he not transfer?" I twitched my lips and denied, "I'm not his family." The nurse looked unbelieving. "Then last night..." Me, "Can you expect an abnormal person to say normal things?" Nurse, "..." Lying in bed waiting for the anesthesia to wear off, I suddenly remembered that I had to work today. I hurriedly turned on my phone and looked at the time displayed on it. 10:30 AM. I lay back dejectedly, unlocked the phone, intending to explain to the manager. But as soon as I opened it, ding ding ding, several messages came. It was the manager's message box, three messages sent at 9 AM: "Old Liu! When did you get married?" "Hid it deep enough." "If you're not feeling well, I'll give you a week off. Remember to report on time next week, or your bonus will be gone." Scrolling up further, it clearly recorded that someone took my phone and made dozens of calls in the middle of the night yesterday, the last one connecting for more than two minutes. I could guess with my toes who did it, and could guess what Julian said. In the afternoon, I slipped back home with the medicine prescribed by the hospital, vowing to eat healthy in the future, three meals a day on time. Planned silently in my heart, then immediately broke the rule upon returning home, nestling on the sofa drinking takeout porridge while watching a drama. Scrolled through my phone when bored. In the work group, someone resigned. That person was Ryan. Immediately after, Ryan sent me a message, "I'm leaving, Chloe. Hope you and Dr. Thorne can be happy."
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