The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 5

The words "stepping stone" slipping from Ferris's mouth left me so stunned I couldn't speak for a full minute.

Yes, my father had been wrong to demand this marriage in exchange for saving Ferris's life, but he had also been lying in a coma at the Greenwood Care Center for the past three years.

As for me, I had signed the prenuptial agreement exactly as he demanded. Aside from our two families, no one knew we were married. Our wedding rings were cheap trinkets bought from a boutique near the university. There was no marriage certificate ceremony, no wedding reception, and he had canceled the wedding photos with a simple "I'm busy." To this day, our only photo together was the standard headshot on our legal marriage license. Had I, Selena Hayes, taken a single tangible benefit from the Sterling family?

No.

Oh, well, if living in the absolute best Riverside Penthouse in Port Capital thanks to Ferris counted, then three years of doing the laundry, cooking, and keeping the place spotless had surely paid off that debt.

You see, eight years of unwavering devotion had ultimately earned me the label of "stepping stone."

A bitter lump formed in my throat, but I lowered my eyes, forcing down the suffocating wave of despair. "I will be at the written exam tomorrow morning right on time..."

I paused, meeting the man's razor-sharp gaze. "So don't concern yourself with it, Dr. Sterling," I said smoothly.

The next morning, I arrived punctually at the Capital General administrative offices.

I had barely taken my seat when a sickly sweet voice chimed in my ear.

"Selena, what a coincidence."

I looked up and immediately recognized Zoey sitting right next to me.

The girl was wearing a light blue blouse paired with a beige suit and two-toned Mary Jane flats. Though the outfit slightly clashed with her youthful, baby-faced features, it radiated an earnest professionalism.

She was actually one of the candidates taking the exam today.

If I remembered correctly, she was a fresh graduate specializing in neurosurgery.

And the medical school only had six slots.

It seemed the girl was far more outstanding than I had given her credit for.

"I'm so sorry about the other day," Zoey said sweetly, her voice laced with apology as she leaned closer. "I was so busy taking care of Ferris that I didn't even get to see you out."

"Wow, isn't that Dr. Sterling, the neurosurgery expert? What is he doing here?"

The hushed gasps snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up just in time to see Ferris surrounded by an admiring crowd.

He wore a pristine white lab coat and silver-rimmed glasses. Even though these were the most ordinary items imaginable, they managed to radiate a refined, forbidden allure when draped over his frame.

Yet, exuding an untouchable elegance, he didn't linger to entertain the flattery. Instead, he walked straight toward us without a second glance at anyone else.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I watched his imposing figure draw closer. My fingers instinctively tightened around my pen until, a second later, I watched my husband stop like a perfect gentleman right in front of Zoey.

A dull roar echoed in my ears as something inside my chest quietly fractured.

His tense, concerned voice drifted to my ears. "What's wrong?"

His voice was smooth as aged wine, but it burned like acid.

So, was this the real reason he had gone to such lengths to stop me from taking the exam?