Chapter 1
After Gianna and Steven got engaged, she discovered that he had a childhood sweetheart.
Steven took care of Chloe, his childhood friend, with meticulous attention and even brought her into their home. He treated Chloe’s needs and feelings as more important than Gianna‘ s.
Gianna silently observed everything. She stopped competing, stopped arguing, and stopped making demands.
Instead, she quietly submitted an application to the hospital behind. Steven‘ s back.
Once she secured a signed agreement, she began patiently waiting for the day she could leave the country.
In the end, all she left behind for Steven was a termination of their engagement.
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“Steven, I don‘ t love you anymore.”
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“Director, I’m applying to go abroad to become a Médecins Sans Frontières
(Doctors Without Borders) volunteer,” Gianna said calmly.
Director Williams, seated across from her, was taken aback, and when he snapped out of his senses, he tried to persuade her earnestly.
“Gianna, with your qualifications and skills, you‘ re more than capable of handling this role. But I’ve heard your wedding ceremony is scheduled for next month. Leaving now might not be the best timing.”
Gianna, of course, understood what Director Williams was implying. But she was exhausted and wanted to escape, to unravel the tangled mess in her heart.
“Director, I’ve already made up my mind. Here’s my application. Please sign
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- it. The hospital has had this position vacant for over six months, and I want to give it a try. I’ve heard that returning from this experience can fast–track a promotion to the department head–it’s a great opportunity.”
Director Williams hesitated as he looked at the application Gianna handed over.
It was true that such a role could lead to a promotion, but only if one returned safely. After all, the places Médecins Sans Frontières deployed to were often war zones and areas of extreme instability- highly dangerous. No one could be a hundred percent sure that they could return safely.
While Director Williams wasn’t
particularly worried about Gianna‘ s safety, he was concerned about the potential impact on Steven, the hospital‘ s star surgeon, if she left.
“Gianna, there’s really no need to push yourself so hard. With Dr. Thompson here,
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whether or not you participate in Médecins Sans Frontières, the hospital will consider your future prospects.
Though Director Williams spoke ambiguously, Gianna understood the underlying meaning.
But right now, she wanted nothing more than to sever any ties with Steven.
Steven, her fiancé, was also the hospital‘ s most skilled surgeon, handling numerous complex and challenging operations.
The truth was, the hospital would be willing to sacrifice a promotion if it meant retaining Steven.
In fact, Gianna‘ s initial entry into the hospital was due to Steven.
Her thoughts drifted back to the past:
She was just a doctor at a small village clinic, barely scraping by. One stormy night, she saved Steven after he was injured in a car accident.
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Later, when Director Williams recruited Steven to the hospital, Steven stated, “I‘ II join, but only if I can bring someone with me.”
That was how Gianna ended up at this hospital alongside Steven, becoming a doctor.
Over the years, she had worked tirelessly to prove herself, striving to shed the label of being there simply because of her connection to Steven.
But no matter how hard she tried, she found it impossible to escape the tag of
“Steven‘ s fiancée.”
“Did you tell Steven that you wanted to leave and join the Médecins Sans Frontières?” Director Williams asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.
“Don’t worry, Director. I’ll inform Dr. Thompson myself,” Gianna said firmly, though her clenched fists and pale knuckles betrayed her inner anxiety. She
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could already imagine his furious expression–his clenched jaw and simmering anger as he refused to let her
- go.
