The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 169

The moment the words slipped out, I realized my voice was shaking. I had always known my abysmal standing in the Sterling family, but I never could have imagined that the moment Ferris faced a crisis, his parents wouldn't hesitate for a single second to sacrifice me.

All because I was his wife on paper, and it was my duty to bear his burdens.

On some twisted level, I could understand Mr. Sterling and Vivian's logic. They didn't know about The Prenuptial Agreement Ferris and I had signed, so they always viewed me as the parasite clinging to their wealth. But what about Ferris?

Did the man who gave all his steadfast devotion to Zoey actually agree with this?

I slowly turned my head like a rusted machine, my gaze locking onto Ferris's face. "Is this what you want too, Ferris?"

Calling him by his first name made Vivian scoff in disbelief. "What kind of attitude is that?" she scolded. "Are you acting like taking this blame is some horrible injustice? Didn't you hear on the phone earlier? Even an outsider like Zoey stepped up and offered to take the fall in this crisis. You're his wife! What's so wrong with making a little sacrifice for him?"

Hearing Zoey's name felt like a punch to the gut. An invisible hand squeezed my heart until breathing became agony. I stared fiercely at Ferris and fired back. "Exactly. Someone else was literally begging to take the blame for him. So why didn't you choose her? Why me?"

Vivian immediately cut in. "The reason is simple. Zoey is an intern in Neurosurgery. If she confesses to the mistake, the investigation will eventually trace back to her attending physician—Ferris. You're different. You're in Anesthesiology."

So the entire Neurosurgery department banded together to throw me to the wolves?

I remembered Dr. Logan's ruthless threats in the meeting that morning.

"But," I took a deep, trembling breath, staring directly at the older couple across from me. "His medical ethics matter, but mine don't? If my reputation is destroyed, what patient is ever going to trust an anesthesiologist who killed someone?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Vivian snarled, catching the defiance in my tone. "You've been in the Sterling family for over three years. Have we ever treated you badly? You, your father, Lucille, and your sister Sabrina studying in Paris—which one of you hasn't fed off our wealth and protection? Now we ask you to take a little blame, and you fight us tooth and nail. You didn't complain when you were enjoying the luxury, did you?"

Luxury.

I chewed on the bitter word. I dug my nails into my palms, using the sting to ground myself before my emotions completely spiraled out of control. Choking back a sob, I stared at my husband. "So, Ferris... do you agree with this plan?"