Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Sandra’s voice oozed familiarity with Curtis, and Leanne glanced up at her with a hint of

irritation.

Although they started at the same hospital and department in the same year, Sandra had always been at odds with her.

When Leanne married Curtis, she hadn’t even graduated from her advanced studies, let alone started at the hospital. Without family on her side, the bridal party consisted solely of her one friend, Joy.

“You guys haven’t seen that epic wedding photo, have you?” Sandra interrupted, “The one where they’re exchanging rings, and the bride’s wearing this dreamy veil. That profile, that vibe, it’s absolutely killer! Let me pull it up for you.”

She dug out the photo from some old news article online, and they all huddled around, chatting excitedly:

“Can’t see her face, but her figure screams knockout beauty!”

“Man, I’d love to know who she is.”

“Hey, Dr. Castillo, doesn’t that profile look like you?”

Leanne kept her composure and replied, “You must be mistaken.”

“Oh, come on,” Sandra rolled her eyes dramatically, “As if she’d ever land a tycoon.”

Leanne’s face was as still as a pond. “How do you know my luck isn’t that good?”

As Sandra was about to retort, a nurse emphatically slapped her thigh. “With Dr. Castillo’s looks and skills, snagging a tycoon would be a piece of cake!”

Sandra scoffed, “It’s been two years, and have you ever seen her hubby? If she married rich, she’d be flaunting him by now.”

“Yeah, Dr. Castillo, when will you introduce your husband to us?”

Leanne put down her fork, cleaned her mouth, and said, “My husband is a ghost. Didn’t want to scare you by bringing him here.”

She casually picked up her plate and walked away, leaving a sea of stunned faces behind. After her shift, Leanne came home to find Laura had prepared a feast, an array of dishes on the table, many of which, like eggplant and asparagus, weren’t Leanne’s favorites.

Leanne had told her to cook less, but Laura argued, “Even if you don’t eat it, Mr. Curtis will.”

“He can’t possibly eat twelve dishes by himself.”

11-13

Chapter 8

Leanne was easygoing, always keen to return a small kindness with much more. She

avoided conflict and rarely made a fuss unless it was necessary. But once she closed her heart to someone, reopening it was a tall order

“There’s no need to be wasteful, even if we can afford it.”

Laura muttered under her breath. “It’s all Mr. Curtis’ money. Cooking for him isn’t wasteful.”

Leanne ate leisurely. “My hearing is just fine. If you want to grumble, do it further away.”

Laura clamped her mouth shut.

Dinner was nearly ready, and Curtis still hadn’t come home. Laura kept glancing toward the door, unable to help herself. “Aren’t you going to call Mr. Curtis? It’s been days. Isn’t he coming home tonight?”

Leanne replied indifferently, “Why don’t you call him if you miss him so much?”

Laura’s face twisted awkwardly. “That’s not what I meant…”

Suddenly, a car pulled up in the driveway, and Laura’s face lit up. “Is that Mr. Curtis?”

She ran to the door while Leanne’s gaze followed.

Laura swung the door open to find Jake, the driver, holding a cardboard box and shouting from a distance, “Ma’am, Mr. Curtis had me return this to you. You left it in the car the other day.”

“Just leave it there.”

Jake left the box at the entrance without coming in.

As he turned to leave, Leanne asked, “Where has Curtis been staying these past few days?”

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