A Doctor's Love

Taking my best friend's son to the hospital.

Unexpectedly, I ran into my ex-husband.

He held the medical record and spoke in a stiff and cold tone. "Where's the child's father?"

"Incompatible personalities, amicable separation, I replied without showing any expression.

"Aren't you worried that growing up in a single-parent family might lead to a lack of paternal love and emotional imbalance?"

"Dr. Yates, you have a point. Then why don't you take on the role?" I suggested.

1

After my divorce, my mom became particularly concerned about my marriage.

For instance, on this rare weekend, she dragged me out of my sweet dreams early in the morning.

In a flash.

Twenty profiles of potential suitors were laid out before me.

She claimed that from now on, I must go on at least twenty blind dates every weekend.

I calculated, and it averaged out to ten blind dates a day.

Help.

I felt nauseated.

So, I ran away.

I finally arrived at my best friend's place, hoping to have some quiet time.

But little did I know she would assign me an important task.

Taking Brent Sarratt to see the doctor.

Sitting in the pediatric ward corridor, holding Brent in my arms, I sighed once again.

This weekend was truly worse than being at work.

It was incredibly exasperating.

"Is little Brent here?" The nurse's sweet voice called out, and I quickly stood up, awkwardly carrying Brent into the pediatric clinic.

As soon as I sat down in the consultation room and looked up, I was stunned.

My ex-husband, Vance Yates, was sitting right in front of me, staring at me expressionlessly.

And also at Brent in my arms.

After a simple basic check-up, he took out the medical record, speaking in a stiff and cold tone.

"Where's the child's father?"

"Incompatible personalities, amicable separation,"

I replied without showing any expression.

"Aren't you worried that growing up in a single-parent family might lead to a lack of paternal love and emotional imbalance?" He spoke with casual indifference, but I felt he was meddling too much.

Remembering how he once left me for his ideal woman that got away abroad, I felt a tightness in my chest.

I forced a bright smile. "Dr. Yates, you have a point. Then why don't you take on the role?"

2

Vance glared at me fiercely, then quickly scribbled something on a prescription I couldn't understand, telling me to get the medicine from the pharmacy.

I picked up Brent and left without a trace of reluctance.

Hmph, a jerk like him didn't deserve my love.

After getting the medicine and returning to my best friend's house with Brent, my mom showed up right after.

Her precise tracking made me suspect she had installed a GPS on me. "Come down quickly, I just bought oat from the supermarket, and I can't carry it alone."

I had no choice but to drag my weary body downstairs, very reluctantly.

Then I noticed a guy, towering tall, standing next to my mom.

Goodness, she really went to great lengths to trick me into a blind date, even going ten kilometers to buy "oat."

In the café, we sat across from each other.

The guy looked quite handsome, gentle and refined.

He could be my dream man.

But I had been divorced, not worthy of such a good man.

Sigh.

I silently pitied myself for a minute.

I got straight to the point and told him directly. "Actually, I've been divorced, and I have a three-year-old child."

Vincent Bacchus' smile froze.

Worried he wouldn't believe me, I even showed him a photo of Brent on my phone, which I had prepared in advance.

"Look, my son, handsome, right?" I said proudly.

"Hmm, he looks like you."

I was speechless.

I thought he would back down, but to my surprise, he started explaining a lot about what to pay attention to with a three-year-old child.

He was so experienced with it that I almost thought the child was his.

Later, he added me on Whatsapp and politely walked me to the entrance of the community.

Watching the car drive away, I finally let out a sigh of relief.

Suddenly, I was startled by a voice from behind me.

"Watching so longingly, is that the child's father?"

I turned around to see Vance, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, squinting at the car disappearing into the distance.

Three words suddenly popped into my mind-a charming scoundrel.

"Yes, he just got off the plane and came to see me, even asked about Brent." I intentionally made our relationship sound very intimate.

Sure enough, Vance's face turned sour at my words.

Seeing his displeasure, I felt pleased inside.

"He abandoned you when you had a child, and now that he's back, you forgive him?" Vance's tone grew colder.

"There's no choice, after all, I want to provide a good family environment for my child.

Isn't that what you, Dr. Yates, said? Deficient paternal love is harmful to a child's mental and physical health." I countered with his own words, successfully silencing him.

Looking his defeated expression, I felt a surge of satisfaction.

But seeing him standing here, I suddenly realized, why was he here?

"What are you doing here? Don't tell me you still have feelings for me?" I crossed my arms, looking at him warily.

He twitched his mouth, then rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Miss Robbins, is it wrong for me to live in this community too?"

I pouted, wondering why someone as wealthy as him would choose to live in a place like this.

But his money was none of my business.

I turned to leave, only to notice his gaze suddenly shift behind me.

It wasn't my curiosity, but his eyes were filled with inexplicable hostility.

I turned around to see Vincent, who should have left, suddenly returning.

He rushed to me, gathering his courage to speak. "Julia, tomorrow is Sunday. Auntie said you're off tomorrow. Would you like to go to the amusement park with me?"

Before I could respond, Vance stood in front of me, speaking in a cold tone. "Hey, the kid's dad! your son is still sick, and you're thinking about where to play? Having a father like you is truly a stroke of bad luck for the child. Truly irresponsible."

Vincent was confused.

I fell silent.

3

I shot a fierce glare at Vance.

I truly didn't understand how he had turned into a different person after the divorce.

He has become such a busybody.

I quickly pulled Vincent aside.

I was just about to explain that this was all a misunderstanding.

But Vincent spoke first. "That person...is he your ex-husband?"

I was taken aback, not expecting him to be so perceptive.

I nodded, quickly shifting the blame onto Vance. "Yes, he can't have me, so he hangs around trying to chase away all my romantic interests."

I pretended to be very aggrieved, wiping away non-existent tears from my eyes.

Seeing this, Vincent's sense of justice surged.

He patted my shoulder, then thumped his chest confidently, speaking with righteous fury. "Don't worry, I won't let your ex-husband succeed. From now on, I'm your child's father, and I'll fight him to the end."

That was a bit dramatic...

After seeing Vincent off, I dragged my exhausted body home. Just as I lay down after washing up, I received a message from a stranger on WhatsApp.

I opened it, only to find it was from Vance.

Wasn't he afraid I'd block him?

After much hesitation, I accepted.

"Your son is only three, and you're abandoning him to enjoy your couple's world. Are you planning to neglect him?" Vance asked.

"Thanks for your concern, Dr. Yates. My mom will help take care of him," I replied.

"You're giving birth but not raising him properly, severely affecting his mental and physical health. If you dare go to the amusement park, I'll report you to the Child Welfare Center first thing tomorrow. You better watch yourself!" Vance warned.

I fell silent again.

4

Lying on the bed, I quietly looked up at the ceiling.

But memories began to roll back.

Rewinding to the time when I was married to Vance.

We met through a friend's introduction. At our first meeting, his silence made me think he wasn't interested in me.

But to my surprise, the next day, he contacted me, asking if I wanted to get married with him.

With a heart full of anxiety, I chose to marry him.

Don't ask why; it's because I'm a total sucker for handsome faces.

Vance, my husband, is the epitome of handsome, not just in appearance but also in wealth. Compared to the days when I had nothing, finding a man like him in the vast sea of life felt like I hit the jackpot.

But I was too naive.

After marriage, our lack of understanding and mismatched personalities became apparent.

His rigid demands in daily life suffocated me.

I needed a partner who could accept me unconditionally and consider my perspective, not someone who only dictated what I should do.

Unsurprisingly, we ended up on the path to divorce.

I still vividly remember the day of our divorce; he stood before me, reeking of alcohol, with reddened eyes, asking, "Why did we come to this kind of ending?"

I lowered my gaze, grabbed my suitcase, and left a place that perhaps never belonged to me.

5

On Sunday, Vincent called, but I casually made an excuse to decline.

During breakfast, as I munched on bread and sipped my milk, I asked my mom if Vincent minded my previous marriage.

My mom took a sip of milk, pondering how best to respond. "Julia, let me tell you, Vincent is truly a good guy. Out of over twenty potential matches, he's the only one who doesn't mind your past marriage. He even says that women who've been married have richer life experiences. Where else can you find a man who doesn't mind your past? You're not getting any younger, and you've been married before. Listen to your mom, don't be picky."

I asked a single question, while my mom started her usual brainwashing lecture again.

I wolfed down my breakfast and bolted out the door to work.

It was amusing; if marriage were that simple, why were there so many divorces.

Including myself.

As I waited idly for the elevator, I unexpectedly ran into Vance so early in the morning.

I chose to ignore him, but he clearly had other plans. "Are you going to the class reunion next week?"

I was taken aback.

I vaguely recalled seeing a text invitation for the reunion on my phone this morning.

I wasn't particularly interested in such events, so I naturally ignored it.

But now that Vance mentioned it, my curiosity was piqued.

A man like him, nicknamed "the campus heartthrob" in college, attending a reunion after graduation?

Could it be that he wanted to flaunt his success?

Tsk, tsk, I never imagined he was such a vain man.

I instinctively wanted to refuse.

But he spoke up first. "I heard the reunion is at a five-star hotel, and there's a buffet with fresh sushi and sashimi."

I was not one for much else, but I did love food.

Hearing this, my eyes lit up. "Of course, I want to go! It's been ages since I've seen them; I miss them so much!"

Yes, I missed the sashimi I hadn't had in ages!

And it was free!

On the day of the reunion, I wore a Chanel little black dress that I hadn't worn in ages, almost forgotten in the corner of my closet.

Vance was right; the reunion was indeed at a five-star hotel, complete with a buffet with fresh sushi and sashimi.

I sat in a corner, wanting to be quietly indulging in the feast.

Not long after sitting down, I overheard some familiar female classmates excitedly touching up their makeup and adjusting their clothes.

"Did you hear? Vance is coming today."

"The campus heartthrob hasn't attended any reunions since graduation. I wonder why he's coming this time, but we can't miss this opportunity."

"Yeah, I heard he's now the chief physician at the city hospital and has been awarded a professorship."

...

Indeed, even a divorced man, if outstanding enough, remained still as appealing as ever.

I sat there, eating my sashimi and sipping my cocktail, expressionless as I listened to the gossip around me.

Soon, a commotion arose in the crowd.

I turned to see Vance, dressed sharply, looking radiant.

With just one glance, I lowered my head and continued my foodie journey.

"Dr. Yates is here!"

People around stood up, offering him the main seat.

But he scanned the room and, to everyone's surprise, walked straight toward me in the corner.

Holy hell!

At that moment, I was focused on my meal, completely unaware that everyone's attention was on Vance.

And on me as well.

The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

I swallowed hard, then I grabbed the drink beside me, intending to have a sip to soothe my throat and alleviate the embarrassment.

But before I could touch the glass, a pair of slender, attractive hands intercepted me.

Then, his pleasant voice sounded above me, "Drink less; you know you can't handle alcohol."

6

The air fell silent for a minute.

No one dared to speak.

Eventually, someone awkwardly shifted the topic, and the room regained its lively atmosphere.

Yet, Vance didn't take the seat offered to him; instead, he sat right next to me without hesitation.

His attitude toward me was special, but no one dared to ask.

Everyone pretended not to notice.

After a round of brief greetings, Vance's phone rang.

He excused himself to take the call.

Only then did my tense heart slowly relax.

After the reunion, I had drunk quite a bit, and my cheeks flushed.

As I stepped out of the hotel, I pulled out my phone to call a cab.

But suddenly, a pair of large hands stopped me.

I looked up to see Vance standing before me, his gaze clear. "Don't call a cab; I'll take you home."

A male classmate nearby whistled.

"Hey Vance, are you interested in Julia? Trying to pursue her?" His words sparked teasing from the other male classmates.

My face grew even redder.

I waited for Vance to explain, but he simply looked at me, silent, seemingly agreeing with the comment.

"No, we just live in the same neighborhood," I explained.

Amidst the envious, jealous, and curious gazes, I got into Vance's passenger seat.

The stifling atmosphere inside the car made me feel suffocated. I had already been drunk, and my head was a bit foggy.

As soon as I got in, a wave of drowsiness enveloped me completely.

My consciousness was somewhat muddled, but I still heard Vance, who was sitting in the driver's seat, suddenly speak. "I thought you were doing well during the time you were away from me."

I turned to look at him. His deep gaze pierced me, causing a sharp pang.

I quickly averted my eyes, not daring to meet his gaze again.

My hand, hidden in my coat, unconsciously clenched tighter.

"I'm doing quite well." I forced a smile and then closed my eyes, trying not to dwell on those bittersweet memories.

The car came to a smooth stop at the entrance of the apartment complex.

Just a second before I got out, he called my name.

My movement paused, but I didn't turn to look at him.

I feared that if I did, he would see the longing that welled up in my eyes.

A feeling I had once buried deep within, not wanting anyone to discover.

"Take good care of yourself, and don't... make your family worry," Vance said.

"Alright, you too." I got out of the car, almost fleeing in haste.

Lying in bed, I buried myself under the covers. Although I had already washed up and thrown the clothes reeking of alcohol into the washing machine, I still felt surrounded by a scent that was uniquely Vance's, lingering and refusing to dissipate.

I recalled what he said in the car.

Did I really seem to be doing poorly in his eyes?

After all, in the eyes of society, a single mother with a child and no father-no matter how well she did-how good could it really be?

I sighed softly to myself, suddenly regretting not choosing to move to another city after the divorce.

That way, I wouldn't have run into him again, nor would I have had to tell him the flimsy excuse that my child's father and I had parted amicably.

But the reason for saying that back then... was just a bit of bravado.

It was simply because I didn't want him to know that after divorcing him, I wasn't doing... well.

7

That day's events were like a small stone thrown into a calm pond.

Life continued as usual, but occasionally, Vance and I would still encounter each other.

Sometimes we would nod and smile, other times we would pretend to be busy and hurriedly pass by without noticing each other.

Perfectly illustrating what it meant to be "people who know each other well but act like strangers."

On the other hand, my "child's father, " Vincent, started inviting me out through Whatsapp.

Whether it was to watch a movie or to go out for dinner.

I couldn't refuse anymore and had to agree.

Don't ask why; it was simply because he was too persistent.

After dinner, he offered to drive me home, and thus, the small-scale soap opera of a "love triangle" unfolded.

After all, no one expected things to align so perfectly.

Just as Vincent dropped me off at the entrance of the apartment complex, I saw Vance parking his car not far away and coincidentally walking towards the entrance.

I desperately wanted to ignore him, but Vincent didn't catch my frantic hints.

As soon as he saw Vance, he puffed up like a rooster puffing up its feathers, ready for a fight.

I was utterly speechless, forced to watch as Vance stopped in front of us.

He flashed a smile that was hard to decipher, looking at Vincent with a hint of disdain. "So, it seems you've developed a taste for going back to an old flame?"

Though he directed the comment at Vincent, I felt it was aimed at me.

I struggled to suppress my anger and tugged at Vincent's sleeve. "Vincent, you should head back. I need to talk to him."

Upon hearing this, Vincent glanced at Vance, then at me.

I returned his gaze with a reassuring look.

Only then did he reluctantly turn and walk away.

After Vincent left, Vance crossed his arms and looked at me, his gaze making my skin crawl. "Why is it that after the divorce, your taste in men has gotten worse?"

His face was full of cold sarcasm, and internally, I rolled my eyes at him. "You might not know, Dr. Yates, but children's things are quite expensive. Right now, it's formula and diapers. In a few years, when Brent starts school, tuition and living expenses will mean spending hard-earned cash. I'm just a regular salaried worker. How can I raise Brent all by myself?"

Vance was clearly taken aback by my words.

"But since you think my taste is poor, why don't you introduce me to someone? I'm Julia Robbins, age twenty-nine, a simple salaried worker, no car, no house, no partner-just divorced with a kid. My requirements aren't high. As long as the person is willing to help raise my child and doesn't mind me, that's enough." I smiled at him.

He pursed his lips, glared at me, and then walked away.

Watching him leave, looking defeated, I felt quite pleased and whistled.

It seemed my ex-husband's fighting spirit had waned.

He couldn't even keep up in a battle of words with me anymore.

8

The next day after work, I was stopped by Vance again at the entrance of the apartment complex.

I looked up at him, feeling puzzled about why he continued to linger like a ghost after the divorce.

Moreover, the frequency of our encounters was unusually high. If it weren't intentional, I'd think the world was too small.

Even living in the same complex, meeting twice a day seemed frequent enough to make me want to buy a lottery ticket.

But this time, he seemed to have come specifically to find me.

"What's this?" I asked.

He placed several bags in front of me, full to the brim. "Uh, well, these are just extras from home, all new. I have to go to work for the night shift, so I'll head back now."

Before I could react, he had already disappeared from sight.

Curiously, I squatted down and opened the bags.

Formula, clothes, diapers... and even the latest Transformers toy?

I was utterly perplexed.

But then I remembered what he said-extras from home?

Could it be that Vance... already had a child?

9

For some reason, at that moment, I felt a strange sense of desolation.

It turns out that unknowingly, the distance between Vance and me had grown so vast.

Lying in bed, looking at the pile of things in the corner of my room, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.

Truly a jerk!

Just as I was fuming, a Whatsapp message arrived on my phone.

It was from Vance.

The message was incredibly simple-just two words. "Come down."

Dressed in my pajamas, I went downstairs and saw Vance holding another bag.