The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 374

Leon stood beside me. The fierce protector from seconds ago was now entirely flustered. "I'm so sorry, Dr. Hayes. I shouldn't have said that... Ugh, I should have locked the door so Ferris and his entourage couldn't barge in and ruin your mood."

"It's not your fault. Don't say that." I forced down the turbulent emotions in my chest and managed a weak smile to reassure him.

The only person to blame was my own pathetic self. I should have been completely immune to Ferris and Zoey's intimate displays, just as I should have been used to his unreasonable demands. Yet every time I faced them, my emotions still spiraled out of control.

"Did I cross a line just now? I'm sorry, I know it was presumptuous. But seeing the way he treats you just sets me off. He knows you hate it, yet he constantly parades that woman in front of you. I just couldn't hold back." Leon was still apologizing for his spontaneous act of pretending to be my boyfriend.

(Merged into previous line for flow)

The truth was, I didn't mind at all. "No, honestly, I should be thanking you."

Even though his stunt was sudden, I wasn't mad. I was deeply grateful that he had helped me save a shred of dignity in front of Ferris.

Ferris had already served The Marital Dissolution Agreement, officially crossing the point of no return. He was ready to go public with his young lover, and I no longer gave a damn about the penalty clauses in The Prenuptial Agreement.

Things had gone too far. I was done swallowing my pride. So what if I fired back just to spite him? At least it felt good in the moment.

But did it really feel good?

It seemed I only felt the sting, not the satisfaction.

"Ferris has changed. He never used to be like this. He used to value loyalty and decency. Now, he's just endlessly cruel to you, and I don't understand it..." Leon couldn't help but complain about him.

"Your mother didn't say anything; I figured it out myself," Leon clarified quickly. "I know your father ended up in the Greenwood Care Center because he took a knife for Ferris. The nurses mentioned you two used to visit him together, so I assumed you used to date."

"I don't know when you guys broke up, but I just know you must have been put through hell, right?" His eyes were filled with genuine sympathy, his tone gentle and cautious.

So Leon only thought we had dated; he had no idea we were actually married.

My heart stuttered, but a rush of warmth quickly followed.

Leon was a truly wonderful friend. He respected me, felt terrible for the pain I endured, and wasn't afraid to stand up for me.