Chapter 7
At the hospital, Callum rushed in carrying Sophie, Mila trailing behind.
The doctor examined Sophie’s wounds with a smirk. “A few more minutes and these would’ve healed on
their own.”
Sophie playfully punched Callum’s arm. “I told you it wasn’t serious. Now we look silly.”
“Your husband’s concern is natural,” the doctor remarked.
The word ‘husband‘ made Callum pause. At the amusement park, he hadn’t corrected similar assumptions because Míla enjoyed it. But he knew who his real wife was.
“Doctor, you misunderstand. We’re just friends,” he stated firmly.
The doctor’s smile froze. Their intimate behavior suggested otherwise – if they weren’t married, this could
only mean one thing.
“How nice of you to carry your ‘friend‘ to the hospital,” the doctor’s tone turned cold. “Does your wife
know?”
“Why would that matter?” Callum asked, genuinely puzzled.
The doctor, a devoted husband himself, felt disgusted. “You think it’s appropriate to carry another
woman while married?”
“What’s wrong with that?” Mila piped up.
“Of course you’d defend your mother, but-”
“She’s not my mother,” Mila interrupted.
The doctor stared incredulously. “Then why are you defending her?”
“My mom’s just jealous and mean to Aunt Sophie. I’m standing up for what’s right!” Mila declared proudly.
The doctor looked between the three of them, piecing together the story. “Is your mother really jealous, or are you and your father just heartless? Supporting another woman like this… if I had a child who betrayed me this way, I couldn’t sleep at night.”
Sophie looked hurt, ready to defend herself, but the doctor wasn’t interested.
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Chapter 7
Callum felt defensive. Sure, he’d once had feelings for Sophie, but he’d never betrayed Aria–por occasional dinners and movies, things they’d done since childhood. Mila loved Sophie too. He’d always maintained appropriate boundaries.
“There’s nothing between us,” Callum insisted. “My wife wouldn’t mind. You’re overstepping*
The doctor laughed bitterly. “If it’s nothing, then I hope you’ll feel the same when your wife gets this close
with another man.”
The thought hit Callum like a punch to the gut – Aria, spending time with another man, sharing meals
and movies…
For the first time, he glimpsed how his actions might look through her eyes. Had he been wrong all along?
Suddenly, he desperately wanted to rush home, hold his wife, and promise never to betray her trust.
But he didn’t understand that such sudden urges for confession often stemmed from guilt.
When Aria didn’t answer his calls, panic set in: He grabbed Mila, ready to leave.
“You’re leaving me?” Sophie’s voice quivered.
Callum hesitated, looking at the girl he’d once loved – still so vulnerable, still able to move him with her
tears.
He decided to indulge just one last time. After this, he’d be the perfect husband.
Yes, just this once.
