Chapter 1

"Come on! Just kiss!"

"Don't be shy now, Casey. Isn't Andrew your first love you've been waiting for in the past five years?"

Casey Newton beamed amidst the crowd's teasing and kissed Andrew Lowell on her own accord.

I stood outside the door with my fists clenched, seeing red as I watched the scene unfold.

In my past life, I got into a minor accident on my way to this gathering. As such, I was completely unaware that this had happened.

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open. I looked at the kissing couple and coldly asked, "What are you guys doing?"

Casey finally noticed me after getting nudged by her friend. There was no remorse on her face as she calmly replied, "We're just playing a game. What are you doing here?"

She slowly removed herself from Andrew's arms as she spoke.

I let out a cold chuckle and sneered. "Weren't you the one who asked me to come? Was it just to let me witness the intimacy between you and the other man?"

Andrew was offended by the way I called him "the other man". He grabbed Casey's hand and confidently said, "You need to get something straight, Mr. Ranford—the person who isn't loved is the real other man here."

Casey did not pull her hand away. Judging by her expression, it was obvious that she agreed with what he said.

I laughed bitterly. It was ironic how I was the one being labelled as "the other man" when she would be marrying me in ten days.

Casey had directed the same look of disgust at me in my past life. Back then, she had mocked, "You're truly a useless doctor, Jace. Not only can't you perform a surgery, but now you're telling me you can't even write a thesis now."

Later on, I finally came up with a groundbreaking discovery and wrote my thesis, yet Casey took my painstaking research and handed it to Andrew.

She even mocked me when I confronted her. "You're someone who can't even hold a scalpel—you'd need someone to make your research a reality anyway. You should be thanking Andrew instead, Jace."

What infuriated me even more was that after Casey got her hands on my family's fortune, she angered Dad so much that he had a heart attack. As a result, he abandoned the treatment for Mom, who was suffering from cancer.

The hatred within me surged when I recalled everything that had happened in my past life, almost overwhelming me.

Perhaps it was the coldness in my gaze that made Casey frown. For once, she softened her tone and said, "Stop making a fuss, Jace. Don't be a wet blanket and just take a seat!"

Andrew glanced at her and smiled. "See? I knew Mr. Ranford would get upset, Cass."

He then continued, "We're just playing a game earlier, Mr. Ranford. Please don't take it to heart."

He walked over to pull me over, but I pushed his outstretched hand away without hesitation. My eyes were red as I yelled, "Fuck off! Don't touch me!"

In my past life, all I wanted was justice to be served after my research was stolen. I started causing a scene at home and online, but the public opinion overwhelmed me to the point of suicide.

No one believed in me—they refused to believe I had the ability to write the thesis.

Casey and Andrew came looking for me when I stood at the rooftop that day. Andrew acted like he was there to save me, but as he got close, he reached out and shoved me off the roof.

I would never forget the smugness in his gaze as he looked at me. He said, "Everything that's yours now belongs to me, Jace. Just enjoy your time in hell."

I trembled involuntarily out of fury.

Andrew fell to the ground, hitting his head against the edge of the coffee table.

I had been staring at him, and in that split second, I clearly saw him turning his head on his own to hit the edge.

Blood started trickling from Andrew's head. Casey teared up and immediately rushed over to help him up, her heart aching as she gently wiped away the blood.

He smiled pitifully. "I'm fine, Cass. You don't have to worry about me. I'm sure Mr. Ranford didn't do it on purpose—I was the one who lost my balance."

Andrew was playing the same old trick again. Whenever we got into a conflict, he would always play the victim and put the blame on me.

But most importantly, Casey always bought into it. She unconditionally believed in everything he said. To her, I was nothing but a jealous, cold-hearted person.

My gaze turned cold as I spoke icily. "Andrew was the one who deliberately fell on his own. I have nothing to do with it."

Casey said, "Would you cut that out already, Jace? Not only is your attitude so awful, but you're even trying to blame him. You'd better apologize right now!"

I listened to the way she scolded me harshly as she defended Andrew.

Smiling mockingly, I coldly replied, "Let's just call off the wedding, Casey. There's no need for us to get married anymore."

Chapter 2

Casey was taken aback upon hearing my words. However, she knew how much I loved her.

As such, she merely scoffed and said, "Do you even know what you're talking about, Jace? Call the wedding off? You have no right to say that."

Everyone around us burst out laughing.

"You loved Casey so much, Jace. Isn't it funny you'd say something like that?"

"That's right! Stop making a scene and just apologize!"

Everyone thought I would always go along with Casey because I loved her, but loving her had cost me everything.

My love for her was utterly gone after she had betrayed me completely and left me dying in my past life. Now, all I felt for her was hatred.

"I'll recall all the invitations." I ignored everyone else and merely looked at Casey indifferently. I firmly said, "Let's break up."

With that, I took off the engagement ring without hesitation and threw it straight at her.

This was the engagement ring I chose after searching through half the jewelry stores in Dynora. There was only one pair in the world, and it was custom-made.

In my past life, I had kept it on even until my last breath, but I no longer wanted it now.

Casey's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the ring that rolled around on the ground. There was even a hint of panic in her eyes, but it no longer had anything to do with me.

I turned to leave after I finished speaking. Everyone started murmuring behind me.

"Is he for real this time? He even took off his engagement ring."

"He's probably playing hard to get. After all, he always has many tricks up his sleeves."

"I thought so, too. It seems like Andrew has really gotten to him."

"If it hadn't been him pursuing Casey relentlessly back then, and with Andrew going abroad, Jace would have never had the chance."

Casey's high-pitched voice sounded just as I was about to walk out of the private room. "Stop right there, Jace! I won't ask you to apologize anymore, so can you please stop causing a scene now?"

Up until now, she still thought I was the one causing drama and that she had no fault.

I stopped walking and turned around to look at Casey coldly. The dim lighting in the private room made it hard for her to see my expression.

She voluntarily walked over and gently tugged at my sleeve. "Don't be mad—it was just a joke."

I pulled my sleeve back and took a step back. I replied indifferently, "Don't touch me when you've touched another man's hand."

Casey retreated her fingers slightly, her face paling. She lowered her voice and said, "Must you embarrass me in front of so many people today, Jace? Can't you take a joke?"

She enjoyed my love for her and often flaunted my obedience in front of others. She got used to my sacrifices and constant attempts to please her.

I glanced down at Casey. "It's not that I can't take a joke, Casey—both of you just don't have any boundaries. I'm not into sharing a woman with others."

Everyone else gasped when they heard how I mentioned "sharing". It was as if I was insinuating that she was someone worthless.

The corners of Casey's lips twitched as she gritted out, "I'll never forgive you if you dare to leave now, Jace!"

Upon hearing that, I gave her a sidelong glance and softly sneered. "I hope you keep your word, then."

…

I let out a long sigh as soon as I stepped out of the bar. My phone had been constantly vibrating, so I pulled it out to have a look.

Connor Grey, our department head, requested for everyone to return to work overtime. There was a car accident on the overpass, and many injured people were brought into the hospital.

The same thing had happened in my past life, but as I was also injured and admitted into the hospital, I didn't take part in the rescue efforts.

I initially wanted to head home and talk to my parents about breaking off the engagement. But with lives on the line now, I had no choice but to head to the hospital first.

…

I spent the entire night performing five surgeries. I was completely drained by the time I left the operating room.

I changed back into my own clothes and grabbed my phone, only to find over 20 missed calls—every single one of them from Casey.

I narrowed my eyes and dialed back after a moment of hesitation. I could hear her furious tone as soon as the call was connected.

"Jace! Who's more important to you—your patients or my dad? Dad had a heart attack, yet you're completely unreachable. Is this how you treat someone you love?" Casey screamed at me.

Chapter 3

Casey's family owned a private hospital, so her dad definitely wouldn't lack doctors.

Besides, Brandon Newton never had a heart attack in my past life. I suspected this was just a tactic for her to manipulate me.

I pursed my lips after Casey finished venting. "We've already broken up. Just get a doctor if your dad suffered from a heart attack. Also, I've never been a doctor from your hospital—you have no right to boss me around."

I ended the call immediately after. Instead of heading home, I grabbed a bite in the office and slept for several hours.

However, everything that had happened in my past life started replaying in my sleep. Casey's cruelty and indifference, every single tragic moment, as well as the gut-wrenching pain made me sleep fitfully.

The moment I fell from the rooftop, I immediately jolted awake. My face was pale, and a thin layer of sweat coated every inch of my skin.

"What kind of nightmare did you have?" Casey glanced over at me with reddening eyes.

I frowned, a little taken aback.

My colleagues all knew how much I loved Casey, so they didn't stop her when she came to look for me, letting her in without hesitation.

However, something was off with the way she was looking at me.

Casey stood before me, her hands lightly resting on the desk. She wore a cold expression as she asked, "Why do you keep calling my name in your dream, Jace?"

I suppressed the overwhelming hatred I felt and calmly returned her gaze. "No one would remember what happened in a dream."

Casey no longer pressed on about the dream. She grabbed my arm and said, "Go treat my dad."

I did not move, pulled my arm back, and casually rolled my wrists. I replied indifferently, "I'm not a doctor at your hospital. You have no right to make demands of me."

I worked at the Central Hospital. Treating patients or performing surgeries outside without permission was against the employment regulations.

Casey's hand was left hanging in midair. She paused for a moment before smiling suddenly. She then slowly neared me and said, "Didn't you want me to give in and comfort you since yesterday? Now that I've come to find you, you should stop throwing a tantrum, okay?"

I knew what she was like—it was already a huge concession for her to say that.

I slowly looked up and coldly chuckled. "I'm not throwing a tantrum. Why do you need me to go over when you have so many capable doctors in your hospital? Am I supposed to just stand there and look pretty? Since he's not my patient, I won't get involved."

Casey stared at me in shock, as if she couldn't believe her ears. "He's your future father-in-law! How could you treat him like this?"

The word "father-in-law" sounded ironic to my ears. I used to treat Brandon as one in my past life, but in return, he treated me like someone he could take his anger out on whenever he felt like it.

He had always thought I was a useless person at home. He spent every day tearing me down, insulting me to the point that I felt inferior. Brandon was part of the problem that caused me to break down and try to end my life.

He'd said, "If only you're dead, Jace, my daughter would've been able to marry someone far better. You shouldn't be the one standing in her way."

Looking back now, I found everything ridiculous. I must have loved Casey so much in my past life that I would still choose to believe in her despite clearly knowing that she had cheated on me. I truly was an idiot.

"I've told you that we've already broken up, Casey. Your life—and everything else in it—has nothing to do with me anymore," I said.

Casey's brows furrowed. "I refuse to! Everyone knows that we'll be getting married in nine days, so why exactly are you still making a fuss? Is it just because of Andrew?

"I've already explained what happened yesterday—we were just fooling around! Nothing was going on, so why are you being so stubborn?"

Chapter 4

There was a noticeable hint of panic in Casey's tone. After all, I had been repeating myself like a broken record, and my indifference toward Brandon was growing evident.

I stared at her and asked, "So, is that my fault now? Did I tell you to mess around with someone else?"

I continued in a mocking tone, "I can do it if you want me to save your father. You just have to publicly announce that we've broken up and the wedding has been called off."

Casey's eyes widened in shock. She finally realized that I was being serious. After all, I never joked about someone else's life in the past.

She stepped forward and stared at me intensely. "Did you fall for another woman, Jace? Did you cheat on me before our wedding?"

I smiled thinly. "I can't believe you're trying to criticize me when you're the one getting tangled up with your first love. Just ask yourself, Casey—do you even have the right to?"

Casey's expression fell. She took a deep breath, as if thinking it over. She eventually wrapped her arms around me and buried her head against my chest, nuzzling gently.

"What happened yesterday was all just a joke, Jace. Please don't take it to heart. I won't hang out with them anymore if you don't like it. Besides, what are you worried about when I've already accepted your proposal?" she said.

Casey looked up and leaned in to kiss me. I turned my face away, and my gaze landed on her collarbone. The letters "AL" were tattooed there.

I never knew the meaning behind it. I even asked her about it, but she brushed it off irritably. "I just thought the letters looked nice together—they don't mean anything."

Back then, I didn't think much about it. I comforted her by telling her that it looked good on her.

I lightly slipped my fingertips under Casey's clothes. She stiffened and frowned, instinctively recoiling from my touch.

In all the years we were together, I never once touched her—not because I was unwilling, but because Casey didn't want me to.

I never asked her for anything out of respect for her wishes. In the end, I failed to detect the disgust that seeped out from her gaze more often than not.

I smiled mockingly as my fingertips grazed past the letters. "Andrew Lowell—this must be Andrew's initials."

Casey instinctively denied it. "It's not. You're overthinking it."

I chuckled. "Have you really not contacted Andrew at all in the years we've been together?"

Casey fell into a long slump after Andrew went abroad. At that time, I liked her and couldn't stand seeing her sad, so I did everything I could to comfort and pursue her. I felt as if I had conquered the world when she finally agreed to be my girlfriend.

Casey didn't like how I was questioning her—I was probably getting too close to her thoughts. "It's pointless to ask these questions now, Jace."

It was clear to me that she was evading the topic. "Don't you think you're filthy, Casey?"

Casey's eyes widened in shock.

I glanced at her coldly before loosening my grip. She staggered backward, her chest heaving.

Casey clenched her teeth before snapping, "You're the one who begged me to marry you back then, Jace! Who would willingly take you other than me? Just take a look at yourself—"

I shot her a cold glance. "What makes you think you have the right to look down on me, Casey?"

Anger flashed across Casey's face when she saw that I wasn't falling for it.

Her phone rang at that moment, and her expression immediately fell as soon as she picked up the call.

Casey stared right at me when the call ended, shaking in anger. "Did you ask your father to cancel the investment in Newton Group?

"Do you have any idea what this means for our business? If you cancel the investments, the hospital's research projects will be halted. How will Newton Group even survive this?"

I crossed my arms and looked at her indifferently. "What does that have to do with me? Now that we've broken up, we should sever all ties for good.

"Newton Group's research projects don't even have the government's approval, and yet you keep asking Ranford Corporation for money. I'm just cutting the losses in time."

I strayed away from my parents' advice and went into medicine in college. I was merely a figurehead in my family's company.

Dad had always supported Newton Group due to my relationship with Casey. But now, I no longer wanted to help them.

Chapter 5

Seeing the deep resentment burning in Casey's eyes, I couldn't help but scoff. "We never signed a contract, so this investment was never legal to begin with."

Casey froze. It was her idea not to sign a contract. Now, she was reaping what she had sown—she had to bear the consequences herself.

She pointed at me and parted her lips, yet no sound came out for a good while. When Casey's phone rang once again, she took a deep breath and rushed back to her company to deal with damage control.

My colleague, Arthur Morrison, stepped in after she left. He carefully asked, "Did you actually have a fight with her?"

"I broke up with her," I replied.

Arthur clearly did not believe me. He advised, "You shouldn't be saying these things when you're about to get married soon. After all, couples will always make up after they fight."

I merely smiled and didn't explain further. I would prove it through my actions.

…

It was past 10:00 pm by the time I got off work and went home, yet my parents were still waiting in the living room.

They both looked serious, and I couldn't figure out what they were talking about. The moment they saw me, they fell silent with their lips pressed.

I went to the kitchen and fetched them some water. I softly said, "Mom, Dad, if you have any questions, just ask."

I was certain they would have heard about what happened with Casey.

My dad, Kevin Ranford, tentatively asked, "I heard that you stopped investing in Newton Group. Is that true?"

I hummed in reply while maintaining my composure.

After their initial shock, my mom, Eliza Graham, continued, "I've even heard that you're also planning to break off the engagement?"

I nodded once again before taking a sip of my water. I smiled softly before calmly replying, "Yeah, I realized we're not a great match."

Mom involuntarily reached out a hand to touch my forehead. She muttered, "You don't have a fever, do you?"

I removed her hand and placed it in my palm. Softly, I asked, "Aren't you guys happy I broke off the engagement with her?"

Both Mom and Dad had an intriguing look on their faces.

"Oh, Jace." Mom said thoughtfully, "I know you loved her, but you're scaring me now. What took over you?"

My parents had never liked Casey. They'd often warned me to be careful, as they could tell her feelings for me weren't that sincere. We'd fought so often that our family bond was hanging by a thread.

In my past life, I was gradually blinded by her honeyed words. I ended up discarding all my sense of judgment and surrendered my family's company over to her.

When I was no longer of use, Casey cast me aside without hesitation, got married to Andrew, and paraded their love before my eyes.

In my past life, I even went to plead with Casey for my parents' sake. However, she merely replied, "Your family is just getting what you all deserved!"

Loving her was the punishment I brought upon myself.

Now, my parents were still well and alive before me. Seeing that they still hadn't started worrying about me that much, an indescribable joy welled up within me.

At that moment, Mom was looking at me worriedly.

I patted the back of her hand and softly said, "It's getting late now, Mom. You should go get some rest for now. Don't worry. I'm serious this time."

As soon as I got back into my room, I commissioned a private investigator to follow Casey.

There was no way she and Andrew had just met recently. I started recounting details I'd never paid attention to in the past.

There were times Casey would claim that she was going on a business trip and left for a few days. She would return looking radiant every time, even sparing me her rare kindness at times.

Sometimes, she'd be overjoyed over receiving some small gifts. She had never worn the high-end jewelry I bought for her, yet she adored the cheap trinkets she received.

…

The private investigator sent something to my phone early the next morning. It was a high-definition video.

"Let's get together, Andrew. Don't leave anymore." Casey was drunk in the video, her gaze hazy as she slumped against Andrew, who hesitated for a moment before kissing her.

Just as things were about to get intense, she suddenly sobered up. Leaning against his chest, she said softly, "Now's not the time yet. I can't have Jace pick up on anything. You just have to endure for a little longer, Andrew."

Andrew gently carded his fingers through Casey's long hair. His gaze softened as he looked at her. "Alright. I'll wait for you, no matter how long it takes."

They looked like a pair of lovers, while I seemed like the bastard who got between them.

Anger flashed across my face. It was clear from this conversation that they'd been in contact all along. Casey had been cheating behind my back from the start.

I had intended to take my revenge slowly, but I couldn't contain my hatred after seeing and hearing what they said. My face paled as I gripped my phone tightly.

It turned out that Casey had approached me with a purpose from the start. I was a fool to think that she was in love with me and that I could touch her with my sincerity.

Since she wanted to be heartless, I would play this game with the two of them!

Chapter 6

I received a call from Casey as soon as I got to the hospital.

It was as if she had forgotten all about what had happened before. She even softened her tone when she said, "Let's go get our wedding photos taken, Jace. The wedding's already set, so can we please stop fighting?"

Casey only brought up the wedding because I had cancelled the investment, and Newton Group was barely holding on. For her, it was always about her gains.

I calmly listened to her before replying indifferently, "Wait until I get off work."

Before this, I'd asked her—thrice—to get our wedding photos taken. But every time, she had an excuse to cancel.

The first time, it was a business trip. The second time, she had an important partnership she couldn't miss.

The third time, I agreed to an outdoor shot as she wished, but she never showed up. I waited in the rain for three hours and ended up getting really sick, but not once did she come to visit me.

I headed straight to the consultation room after ending the call. Once I was done with work, I took out my phone to check the text I got from the private investigator, scoffing slightly.

It didn't seem like Casey had wanted to take wedding photos with me at all. It was clearly an excuse she used to go on a date with Andrew.

In the photo, the both of them were all over each other in the studio. They weren't even trying to hide it.

…

I didn't go to the studio and went straight home after work.

At that moment, Casey called me. She sounded angry when she said, "Do you know I have been waiting for you in the store for three hours? What's this supposed to mean? Is it fun to stand me up?"

I had embarrassed her by not showing up.

I replied nonchalantly, "Yes, it's fun. Otherwise, why would you have stood me up three times before this?"

Casey went quiet suddenly, but I could still hear the teasing laughter from someone else on the other end of the line. "Come and enjoy yourself, Cass!"

That voice belonged to Andrew.

I said, "You know exactly how long you waited at the store, Casey."

According to the private investigator, Casey hadn't even waited 30 minutes before she left with Andrew.

She was taken aback. The noise from the other end grew dimmer—perhaps she went to a secluded spot.

Casey's voice sounded desperate when she asked, "We'll go get the photos taken tomorrow, okay?"

I did not reply to her and merely ended the call.

The private investigator sent me another text. It turned out that Casey and Andrew were having fun at the bar at the moment.

…

The next morning, Casey showed up as soon as I stepped out of my house. She smiled softly and said, "I've already arranged the photoshoot for today. You should take a day off from work."

It wasn't a discussion but a notice.

As she spoke, Casey walked over to loop her arms around mine. I pulled back slightly, trying to sidestep her, but she blocked my path.

Her gaze was unwavering when she said, "We're about to get married. It wouldn't be right not to have our wedding photos taken."

Casey didn't take the breakup seriously at all. She was sure that I wouldn't go that far—all because I loved her. And the wedding photoshoot today was non-negotiable.

She pursed her lips and softened her tone. "Just give me one day, Jace."

So, I agreed to go for the wedding photoshoot.

On our way there, Casey casually asked, "I heard that Ranford Corporation just made an investment in a school. What made you decide to invest in education out of nowhere? This kind of investment usually doesn't make money, does it?"

I replied in a perfunctory manner, "I'm just a figurehead in the company. I have no say in matters relating to investments."

Casey continued as she drove, "To be honest, our hospital's research projects are quite promising. We'll definitely win awards if it succeeds, and Ranford Corporation won't lose out on this. You just have to talk to Mr. Ranford about it. Your parents love you so much, so I'm sure they wouldn't say no to you."

I was tired of hearing her talk. I said irritably, "Then bring me the approval letter, and we'll sign a contract. No contract, no investments!"

Chapter 7

I bluntly continued, "Our family runs a business, not a charity. Otherwise, just go get a loan. I'd like to see if any bank would be willing to lend to Newton Group."

The private hospitals under Newton Group were involved in a major scandal in the past. Their reputation took a huge hit when the counterfeit drugs they bought at a low price led to several deaths. Many of them have since closed down.

Now that Casey was suddenly rushing to get our wedding photos taken, I was sure she'd urge us to register our marriage next.

Once she married me, she'd be able to secure a bank loan using Ranford Corporation's name to sustain the Newton family and save some of their hospitals. After that, they would just need to wait for my research to turn things around.

In my past life, it was my research's success that restored Newton Group.

Casey's gaze wavered as she was rendered speechless. After a while, she said, "You never used to be this pushy, Jace."

"That depends on who I'm talking to." I closed my eyes, not bothering to look at her exasperated expression.

…

We arrived at the studio about 30 minutes later. Before we could even step inside, a familiar voice said, "Are you here to get your wedding photos taken, Cass and Mr. Ranford?"

Casey's eyes lit up when she saw Andrew. I stood beside her and said nothing.

She glanced at me and said, "This studio belongs to Andrew's friend. Let's head in together—we might even get a discount!"

I didn't call them out on their little ploy and walked in nonchalantly.

I got a call from the hospital halfway through—one of the patients had taken a turn for the worse and needed urgent care.

After giving out instructions, I stepped into the changing room only to find Andrew zipping up Casey's dress. Her back was fully exposed to him, while his hand rested on the small of her back.

They were standing close to each other, and the air between them was thick with romantic tension.

Andrew looked prim and proper after changing into a suit, seemingly matching Casey well.

Beside them, the salesperson happily said, "Your wife looks absolutely stunning in this wedding dress, sir. She matches you well!"

Casey smiled bashfully, not correcting the salesperson.

Andrew, too, felt shy as he slowly said, "How about you take this dress, then? It matches your skin tone well."

Casey smiled and nodded.

I smirked before heading straight in. "When did the other men start showing up so openly in public now?"

The salesperson was stunned, and embarrassment colored her face.

Andrew's expression froze before he smiled awkwardly. "I'm just helping you try on the suit, Mr. Ranford. We just wanted to see if it matched Cass' wedding dress. Please don't mind me."

He then added, "She still loves you."

Andrew then stepped back awkwardly and said with a hint of grievance, "I'll go get changed now."

Casey couldn't bear seeing him feel aggrieved the most. She immediately glared at me and spat, "Andrew is my friend! Can't you show him some respect?"

She then turned around to look at Andrew with a gentle gaze. "I'll apologize on his behalf. Please don't take it to heart."

I felt nothing but disgust when I saw them flirting before me.

I smirked. "Whatever your relationship with him is, I don't care. I'm heading back to the hospital now. I have no time for your little games."

Wasn't Andrew here just to stake his claim?

Just as I was about to turn to leave, Andrew said, "Are you jealous, Mr. Ranford? There's nothing going on between us, and Cass loves you a lot. Please don't fight over me."

I turned around and looked at him. "What, do you think I'm jealous because of you? Maybe you should get yourself a mirror and see if you even measure up."

Andrew's expression froze while Casey frowned.

I calmly continued, "Mr. Lowell, don't keep saying that there's nothing between you and Casey, then turn around and continue acting like the other man. It's rather humiliating on your side."

I took him in with a quick glance and noticed the ring on his ring finger. No wonder the salesperson got confused—Casey had the same ring on her finger. Both of them had discreetly put on their "engagement rings" under my nose.

I looked at their matching outfits and clicked my tongue. "You guys enjoy taking your wedding photos. I'm not sticking around for this."

Casey immediately ran after me and grabbed my arm. "You're the one I'm marrying. What's the point of taking wedding photos with someone else?"

I replied, "Oh, so you're aware that I'm the one you're marrying? Then why are you wearing an engagement ring that matches someone else's?

"You're already so openly hugging and kissing him even before we register our marriage. Are you two going to end up right in bed if we actually got married?"

Chapter 8

I stared at Casey coldly as I questioned her. Each question hit her harder than the last, rendering her powerless to answer.

Her gaze wavered as she subconsciously pulled her hand back, hiding it behind her back and avoiding my gaze.

I had given her an engagement ring, but not once had she worn it. How ironic.

After a brief moment of surprise, Casey huffed and replied, "I'm used to wearing this ring. Why bother with these trivial details? The things you're saying are just nothing but insults to Andrew and me!

"I can't believe this is how you think of me after all these years of being together. You truly disappoint me, Jace!"

I laughed out of spite, almost wanting to clap for her. She was the first person to make cheating sound so refreshing.

I looked over to Andrew, who was currently in the changing room. I could see a hint of smugness in his gaze.

I then glanced at Casey and replied, "You can say whatever you want. I'm not going to marry you regardless."

Her face paled instantly. I turned and left without bothering to look at her.

…

Upon my arrival at the hospital, a critical patient was brought in as soon as I stepped foot into the consultation room.

My eyes widened upon seeing the woman on the stretcher. A sudden wave of panic and guilt swept over me out of nowhere.

Kourtney Gomez's arrival came earlier than expected.

Paul Sander, the accompanying doctor, said, "The patient's heart stopped twice on her way here. She has a heart condition and needs surgery immediately."

I clenched my fists and replied, "Take her to the operating room."

As I made preparations, Paul continued, "Her health has always been poor, and she's had multiple checkups in different hospitals. We're really counting on you this time, Dr. Ranford."

I nodded as memories from my past life flooded back. I could recall all of Kourtney's symptoms as if they were carved into my brain, but I still asked again to be sure.

In my past life, I was distracted by the thought of Casey during the operation. I ended up making a fatal mistake then. Dad paid to cover it up, but the main reason it wasn't pursued was because Kourtney herself didn't press charges.

Although she didn't die, the damage left lasting effects. Her heart condition worsened, and because her heart injury was so severe, she only had five years left to live.

After all these years of treating patients, this was the one thing that still weighed on me the most.

Kourtney was lying quietly in the operating room, her face looking pale and lifeless. The nurses had already performed the emergency procedures as I instructed.

I slowly took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "Please believe in me, Kourtney. I'll make you well again."

Kourtney wasn't unconscious, as the immense pain had kept her wide awake. She struggled to open her eyes, her unfocused gaze landing on me.

I flashed her a slight smile and said, "Just get some rest. Everything will be fine once you wake up."

The surgery lasted for almost five hours. All the medical staff let out a collective sigh of relief once it was over, clearly exhausted.

One of the medical staff, Lisa Beaming, said, "This surgery is unexpectedly nerve-racking. "

I pursed my lips, feeling a slight unease in my heart.

Kourtney was the one person I owed. As such, I couldn't help but feel nervous even though I've performed countless surgeries.

I was worried that I might end up making the same mistakes, leaving her with lasting effects.

Fortunately, the surgery was a success this time. But for now, the anesthetic hadn't worn off, so Kourtney hadn't woken up.

After that, I remained by Kourtney's hospital bed the entire time. Her face was pale, and her small frame seemed to sink into the hospital bed. I couldn't tell if she was furrowing her brow because of the pain.

Somehow, my heart clenched.

In my past life, Kourtney was the only one who believed in me when everyone else had turned their backs on me. She believed that it was my research and that I was deceived, but we had no proof.

Casey knew I loved her, so she had already handed over all the first-hand research data I'd collected to Andrew. I trusted her too much and ended up getting betrayed.