The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 185

I ducked into the restroom at the end of the hall.

Standing in front of the mirror, I could clearly see the streaks of yellow yolk dripping through my hair. I looked filthy and repulsive.

Thinking back to the devastated mother who had cursed me out, a heavy lump formed in my throat, and my eyes welled with tears.

I understood her pain, but in that critical moment, I was only fulfilling my duty as an anesthesiologist. How did that make me an accomplice?

The more I thought about it, the worse I felt. I frantically tried to wash the yolk out with the sink water, but even after scrubbing several times, the unmistakable stench of raw egg lingered.

Amidst my panicked cleanup, my phone started ringing. I glanced at the screen and my anxiety spiked instantly.

It was Vivian.

If my guess was right, she had already seen the news and, through her web of informants, figured out that the blurred-out female doctor was me.

There was no avoiding this disaster. I took a deep breath and answered the call.

"Is that you in the news?" Vivian's furious voice blasted through the speaker. "Selena, do you have any idea what you're doing?"

I wiped a damp, yolky strand of hair from my forehead and replied honestly, "It was a critical emergency. If we had delayed treatment by even a few minutes, the patient would have died. I didn't have a choice."

"So what?" Vivian snapped, her anger boiling over. "Ferris's scandal just barely settled down, and now you go and stir up this massive PR nightmare. Do you have any idea how much damage this will do to Ferris if those tabloid vultures dig up the fact that you two are married?"

I let out a heavy sigh. "I'll take full responsibility for my actions."

"Big words," Vivian scoffed in disdain. "Right now, Capital General is swarming with gossip reporters. You're a celebrity now, Selena. Let me make one thing perfectly clear: you are not to return to Eden Gardens tonight. In fact, until this mess is completely resolved, you are banned from Eden Gardens. Do you understand?"

I was momentarily stunned. Before I could even respond, she kept going.

"You're going to have a tail everywhere you go now. I don't care where you stay—go back to the Hayes Residence, get a hotel, whatever. But do not bring that filth back to Eden Gardens, and absolutely do not drag the Sterling family into this. Otherwise..."

She didn't finish the threat, but the implication was crystal clear.

Though I expected this, hearing her deliver the mandate with such cold, calculated cruelty still felt like a needle driving into my chest.

And they were treating it with a 'private car' escort.

But where was this car supposed to take me? Back to Eden Gardens? Vivian had just explicitly warned me not to lead the paparazzi to their doorstep. If I actually went there, the secret of my marriage to Ferris would be blown wide open.

And I couldn't afford the breach of contract penalty.

"That won't be necessary. With reporters definitely following me, I'll find somewhere else to stay," I lied smoothly, finding a reasonable excuse.

Zoey looked a little surprised. She stared at me for a few seconds before offering, "Why don't you stay at my place, Dr. Hayes? You know, the condo we looked at together last time."

Hearing that, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Of course I remembered that condo. The one my husband, Ferris, had bought for her.

I forced a tight smile and said, "Thank you, Dr. Zeller. But I'll pass."