The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 273

It turned out that half an hour ago, the care center received a call ordering them to fire one of Maxwell's two caregivers and downgrade him from the VIP suite to a standard ward.

Lucille simply couldn't handle the shock.

Maxwell's fractures hadn't fully healed, and he required round-the-clock supervision. Losing a caregiver now meant he would undoubtedly suffer.

I knew this had the Sterlings written all over it.

I had expected Vivian to order Ferris to teach us a lesson, but I never imagined they would target Maxwell.

Maxwell had literally taken a knife for Ferris.

Moving him to the VIP suite was a decision Ferris himself had approved. How could he go back on his word now?

All because we swapped out an attending physician?

At that thought, a blazing fire erupted in my chest. The more I dwelled on it, the more disgusted I felt.

"Selena," Lucille said, her eyes red as she gripped my wrist with surprising force. Her tone was pleading. "You know how Maxwell is doing. Why do we have to make things so difficult? The Sterlings just want to show us who's boss. Don't be so stubborn. Just go apologize to Ferris. Consider it a favor to me, please?"

Seeing the tears welling in Lucille's eyes only fueled my rage.

Ferris had banked on exactly this reaction. That was why he continuously used my family to threaten me. He knew the Sterlings controlled our financial lifeline, and he was absolutely certain we would always bow our heads.

Incidents like this had happened countless times before.

The first time, I swallowed my pride. The second time, I endured it. The third and fourth times, I let it go for the sake of whatever fragile bond we shared as husband and wife. But after enduring all this time, what had I actually gained?

Only trampled dignity and relentless, crushing disappointment.

We were married, but only in name. The moment I stepped out of line and defied Ferris or his parents, I was treated like the ultimate villain.

I was about to knock when I heard Zoey mention me. "Plus, I think Selena must have her own reasons for making that decision, right?"

Oh, so she was actually defending me.

"She's an idiot," Ferris snapped back without hesitation. "Completely full of herself."

That was clearly aimed at me.

It figured. Someone so used to adoration and praise like Ferris could never handle rejection or criticism. Especially coming from me—the woman who had spent years orbiting him, worshipping him like a god.

But what he didn't realize was that even the most burning love would eventually freeze over, fading and vanishing entirely after endless days and nights of torment.

Just like the utter disillusionment I felt right now.