It was New Year’s Eve, the day Noah and I were finally ending our seven-year long-distance relationship and announcing our engagement. But an emergency miscarriage case pulled me into the OR. The patient, Sarah, was hemorrhaging heavily, and tests showed she had Stage Three Syphilis and severe HIV. The medical team looked grim. On the table, Sarah begged, “Please save my baby.” I shook my head. “You should know how your health affects your child.” She avoided my gaze. “But my husband wants a child. He’s the CEO of Sterling Holdings—we’ll pay anything.” My mind went blank. Sterling Holdings’ only CEO was Noah Sterling. I frowned. “Are you sure? Reports say he has a fiancée from a prominent family.” She stuck out her tongue playfully. “My husband did mention a fiancée around your age. But he said she’s boring, wouldn’t let him touch her before marriage—nothing like me, cute and flirty.” “He heard about my accident and is already on his private jet here.” Seeing her messenger photo—one I knew too well—I froze. The next second, Noah texted me: “Darling, year-end work is too busy. I won’t make the family gathering. I’ll make it up to you next time.” 1 After the surgery, the anesthetic hadn’t fully worn off, but Sarah was already urgently asking the nurse for her phone. “Baby, I hurt so much having the baby. Why aren’t you here with me yet?” “I know you look down on me because I’m just a mistress. Maybe I should just die with the baby then, so I don’t dirty your eyes.” As she spoke, she tried to prop herself up from the bed and head towards the third-floor window. On the phone, Noah’s urgent voice could be heard: “My sweet, I know you’re exhausted from labor. This is when you need me most. I’ve called the private jet and I’m rushing over now.” “I’ve already bought you that Hermes bag you said you liked last time. I’ll pick you and the baby up soon and take you to the best postnatal care center.” Hearing that all-too-familiar voice, my thoughts were pulled back to six years ago. At that time, Noah had just taken over Sterling Holdings. To prove his capabilities, he aggressively expanded the business, gaining both wealth and reputation, which earned him the resentment of many rival companies. On our one-year anniversary, a group of men rushed out of a parking garage and surrounded us. To protect Noah, a dagger was plunged into my abdomen, and the garage quickly became a pool of blood… That day, Noah frantically carried me into the hospital, kneeling and begging the doctors to save me, promising to do anything if they could just make me well. I woke up later, but due to the severe abdominal injuries, I had lost the ability to bear children. At that time, Noah, his eyes red and tearing up, held me. “River, I’m sorry… it’s all my fault. I will protect you for the rest of my life, never letting you suffer another injury.” Seeing the vasectomy consent form he handed me, in that moment, I knew he was the one for me, forever. Now, it all seemed so ridiculous. On the hospital bed, Sarah had already ended the video call, her eyes filled with the satisfaction of a goal achieved. I gave a self-deprecating laugh and asked, “Your child is infected with so many diseases. Will your husband even acknowledge this child?” Sarah’s face flushed slightly. She pulled out her phone, scrolling through her and Noah’s sickening chat history, finally stopping at an image of a will. “My husband already noted in his will that fifty percent of his assets will go to my son. He’s already prepared a multi-million dollar mansion for our son before he’s even born.” “Besides, that old hen at home lost her ability to lay eggs long ago. My husband is practically desperate to get rid of her, so how could he not acknowledge his own biological son?” I clenched my fists, struggling to control my emotions. Sarah, however, mistakenly thought I was jealous of her. She chuckled, leaning closer to my face. “Sister, don’t be jealous of me. I can tell you have good bone structure. It’s okay if you’re a bit older; with some makeup, you could also snag a rich man.” “You should find a man like my husband, utterly devoted to me, making sure everything is taken care of even before the child is born, ensuring our mother and child live without worries for the rest of our lives.” “Since you saved me and the baby, I’ll teach you some tips on how to handle men.” 2 I instinctively recoiled a step, my face unable to hide my disgust. “A man who has a fiancée but still flirts around, that kind of man just sickens me.” Sarah, however, didn’t care, shrugging indifferently. “Men are visual creatures; they have no resistance to young, pretty women, especially when the old woman at home can’t satisfy them. I just crook a finger, and he’s hooked.” “I used to think he had a deep connection with his fiancée, too, until one night his fiancée was in critical condition with a high fever and fainted. The hospital called him, but I just pouted a little, and he stayed with me to play crane games…” “You tell me, how could I easily let go of a man who values me so much?” My hands, clutching the hem of my clothes, trembled. That time I had a high fever and fainted, I almost didn’t make it. He told me he was on a business trip and couldn’t come back, then sent me a designer bag to placate me. Turns out he was with another woman. As she spoke, Sarah’s eyes scrutinized me up and down. “Sister, you look like you haven’t been intimate with a man… Is your relationship with your husband not good?” “Or has your husband also been satisfied by all the pretty women outside and lost interest in you?” “Do you want me to give you some advice?” Looking at Sarah, my breath caught. More than anger, I felt sheer dread. Sarah had been diagnosed with Stage Three Syphilis and severe HIV, so Noah would naturally not be immune. Noah and I had been together for seven years, and every time he brought up intimacy, I had refused, wanting to save the best for our wedding day. Unexpectedly, that decision had saved me. Looking at Sarah’s condition again, the disease had caused skin lesions all over her body, even spreading to her neck. I couldn’t help but frown. “Does your husband know about your medical conditions? You’re both being very irresponsible towards your child.” As a woman, these diseases were Sarah’s most unspeakable, most hidden past, yet I had just blurted them out. Sarah’s eyes instantly widened in fury. “Of course my husband knows! Not only does he know, he doesn’t care about my past. He’s spoiled me rotten all these years and wanted me to have his child!” I didn’t believe a word Sarah said. I knew Noah well; power came first, feelings second. If he had known about Sarah’s condition beforehand, he would never have risked himself by being with a woman riddled with disease. Sarah saw the doubt in my eyes, and she rolled her eyes in displeasure. To prove she was telling the truth, Sarah pulled out her phone and played a recording of her and Noah in a passionate moment. In the recording, their intimate sounds mingled. Sarah pressed against Noah’s chest, her voice tearful. “Noah, darling, if one day you find out I’ve been hurt by someone, and have an illness I shouldn’t have… would you still love me?” “Of course I would, my sweet. You’re always so careful, you couldn’t possibly get sick. Even if by some chance you did, I’d love you no matter what you became. Come quickly… give it to me.” Sarah then lowered her voice, sounding wronged. “But Noah, darling, you have a fiancée. Even if you don’t mind me… surely your fiancée wouldn’t mind? I’m so afraid one day you’ll leave me because of that woman.” Sarah’s crying made Noah heartbroken; he quickly pulled her into his arms. Noah’s dislike for me intensified, his tone abruptly changing, his voice growing cold. “She’s the one who should be sick. Seven years of dating, and she never let me touch her. Maybe she’s the one with an illness she’s afraid for me to discover.” “Let her live her whole life guarding her purity then.” “My sweet, in bed, let’s not talk about that unlucky woman. Come on, let me see if my sweet has gained weight recently…” Sarah held up her phone. What followed were alternating moans and gasps from two people, and a triumphant smile spread across her face. “Sister, if you were Noah’s fiancée, what would you do? You’d probably hang yourself with a rope by now.” “To be such a failure as a woman, it’s only her.” “Slap!” I walked over and slapped Sarah across the face. “You and Noah don’t deserve to be human, and you certainly don’t deserve to be parents!” 3 “Are you crazy?!” “How dare you insult me and Noah?!” Sarah was furious. “As a doctor, you hit a patient without explanation. Is this your medical ethics? I’m going to make everyone judge this!” With that, Sarah pressed the call button for the nurse, loudly shouting to summon all the medical staff. She completely ignored the baby, startled and crying from the commotion, and clutched her own cheek, complaining, “Your doctor here assaulted a new mother! Are there no rules or regulations anymore? I’m calling the police to have her arrested!” I glanced at her disdainfully. “The police will be here, and you’re the one they’ll be arresting!” “Knowing you have syphilis and HIV, you deliberately infected someone else. I merely reminded you of your responsibilities, and you accuse me of lacking medical ethics. Go ahead and call the police. Let’s see who they take away.” As I spoke, I pulled out my phone, pretending to dial the emergency number for her. The nurses around us whispered amongst themselves. Everyone was discreetly aware that Sarah had been admitted as a special patient. They were clearly shocked she was so shameless as to flaunt it. Seeing no one speaking up for her, Sarah grew even more incensed, weeping and complaining, “You’re lying! I didn’t infect anyone… that’s my husband! He knows about this, and he was the one who got sick first!” Sarah pointed her finger at me again. “No matter what, as a doctor, you assaulted a patient. You have no professional ethics! I’m calling the director to complain about you!” The head nurse quickly stepped forward to calm Sarah. “Miss Sarah, Dr. Evans is the top surgeon at our city’s premier hospital. We specifically called Dr. Evans to operate because of your unique condition.” “Dr. Evans is usually very gentle and has won numerous awards in her years of practice, never having any disputes with patients. There might be some misunderstanding. Please have some water and rest, and we’ll mediate.” Sarah eyed me, full of disdain. “A top city doctor, yet so tactless. I wonder what kind of means she used to get where she is. She probably isn’t so clean herself.” The next second, Sarah’s phone rang. From the other end, Noah’s concerned voice could be heard: “My sweet, I’m at the hospital entrance. I’ll be right there.” Sarah instantly dropped her feisty demeanor, crying out plaintively, “Noah, darling, what took you so long? I’ve been bullied!” The head nurse, sensing something amiss, pulled my hand and whispered, “Dr. Evans, thank you for your hard work on this surgery. I see the patient is stable now. We can handle the rest. It’s New Year’s Eve, and I heard your husband is coming back to be with you. You should go home early and spend time together.” Sarah heard the head nurse trying to send me away and immediately complained to Noah on the phone: “Noah, darling, this doctor not only hit me, but she also said our son is sick and won’t live long! Now the head nurse is trying to quietly send her away!” “Noah, darling, I’m so scared alone… Please come quickly and stand up for me and our baby!” Noah couldn’t bear to see his darling suffer. He immediately ordered his security to seal off all hospital exits, disregarding hospital order, prohibiting any medical staff from entering or leaving. “This kind of morally corrupt doctor, I’ll have her blacklisted in the entire city. No hospital will be allowed to hire such a disgraced doctor.” “My sweet, wait for me. I’ll see which doctor is so bold as to touch my Noah Sterling’s woman and child!” Sarah wore a triumphant expression, clearly intending to make me suffer. Everyone in the hospital room was anxious. On one side was the cooperating city hospital, on the other was Noah Sterling of Sterling Holdings. Neither was someone they could afford to offend. I, in contrast, was calmer than anyone present. Sarah hung up the phone and walked over, hooking a finger under my chin, provocatively. “You can still apologize now, it’s not too late. Kneel down and clean my shoes with your tongue, and I might let this go.” The head nurse forced a smile. “Miss Sarah, Dr. Evans did help you and your baby. Maybe we can just let this matter drop?” “She slapped me, and she expects me to just let it go?” Sarah adopted an arrogant pose. “I’m giving her two choices: either she kneels and apologizes to me, or she waits to be blacklisted from all hospitals in Havenwood!” The head nurse looked at me, her expression hesitant and worried. Everyone knew how difficult it was to get into a top city hospital; countless people fought tooth and nail just to get close. For a woman like me to become a leading doctor in such a hospital, the effort involved was unimaginable. If my career was to be destroyed by a single word from Noah, it would be unacceptable for anyone. “What, scared now? It’s not too late to kneel and apologize.” I scoffed, my head held high. “Upholding justice and punishing evil, I did nothing wrong. I will not apologize.” Seeing no sign of me backing down, Sarah’s resentment festered. She glared at me, warning, “You just wait!” With that, Sarah turned and snapped at the head nurse, “I was assaulted in your hospital. You must give me an explanation. Noah can blacklist one person from all hospitals, and he won’t mind adding a few more!” The head nurse, not wanting to make things difficult for me, tugged at my sleeve, about to step forward and apologize, but I pulled her back first. “Smack!” Another slap landed on Sarah’s face, sending her stumbling back several steps. “You actually dared to hit me again!” “I hit you, you arrogant opportunist!” I wanted to step forward and teach her another lesson, but the head nurse and several other medical staff held me back. Sarah dared not cause any more trouble. She clutched her face and rushed out, opening the door and practically throwing herself into a man’s arms. Tears welled in her eyes, and the red imprint of my hand was clearly visible on her cheek. “Noah, darling, you’re finally here! That woman hit me again. Please, you must get justice for me.” “I’ve never been so humiliated in my life, all because you came too late. The baby and I almost didn’t get to see you.” Noah held Sarah, his heart aching. “How incredibly brazen! I’ll see who’s audacious enough to lay a hand on my woman and child!” Sarah wept dramatically in Noah’s arms, a sight that would make even other women feel pity. What man could resist such a woman? “Don’t cry, sweetie. I’ll stand by you.” With that, Sarah led the man into the hospital room. The moment the door opened, Noah and I locked eyes. Noah froze. Sarah, still confused, pointed at me, seething, “Noah, darling, she hit me! You must uphold justice for me!” I looked at Noah impassively. “Mr. Sterling, shouldn’t you be working overtime at the company?”
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "391715", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel