Chapter 1

Valeria Neal never thought she would see Sebastian Grant again. That day, she had taken her six-year-old daughter, Selena Neal, to the hospital for a checkup. Her daughter had a congenital heart condition and required regular checkups. However, the moment she pushed open the door to the consultation room, she froze in place. Sebastian was standing there, focused on the computer screen. He wore a pair of rimless glasses and had a white coat on. His features looked cool and elegant, and he radiated a noble, distant air. Valeria felt the color drain from her face in an instant. Selena had been coming for these heart check-ups regularly. Today, she'd booked a consultation with Shawn Gordon, the hospital specialist. However, since Shawn was away for an urgent consultation, the nurse suggested she switch to another doctor. The nurse had said that this doctor studied overseas for his PhD, and was one of Shawn's most talented students. Now, Valeria stood in the doorway rigidly, and her fingers gripped the door handle tightly. In a flurry, she pulled a mask over her face. At that moment, there was only one thought in her mind, which was to take her daughter and leave. Seven years. When did he return to the country? Her life had been calm and uneventful, so she never imagined she'd run into Sebastian again. It felt like her entire being was shattering, and she didn't know how to react. She instinctively clutched Selena's hand. Her palm was damp with sweat, and her back was trembling slightly from the tension. Just then, he said in a clear voice, "Come in." Sebastian looked up and through the door. His eyes, through his lenses, seemed faintly distant. The instant their eyes met, Valeria felt her breathing falter. At 28, he seemed so similar, yet so different from the memory of the 21-year-old man in the white shirt she once knew. He used to be out of everyone's league at their university, yet he had secretly dated a woman who weighed 167 pounds. She forced herself to meet his gaze and clenched her teeth hard. Even her instinct to turn and leave with her daughter didn't stop her from freezing in place. Sebastian's dark eyes remained calm as he lightly tapped his fingers on the desk. "Selena Neal, right? Let me take a look at the medical records." Valeria managed to regain her composure, though she still remained pale. She reached up and felt the mask covering her face, which gave her a fragile sense of control. He hadn't recognized her. She was now called Valeria Neal and no longer Jane Carlson from seven years ago. She was no longer that overweight woman. Now, at five feet seven, she weighed barely over a hundred pounds. Selena went forward and sat in the chair, letting Sebastian listen to her heart. As he leaned closer, Valeria glanced at him. That faint coldness he radiated was something strangely familiar yet foreign. She subconsciously pressed her hand on Selena's shoulder. Out of the corner of her eye, her gaze fell on Sebastian's face. He wore rimless glasses and had a refined, gentle appearance. Underneath the white coat was a high-quality white shirt. As Sebastian listened to Selena's heart, he furrowed his brows slightly and said, "Pay more attention to her daily condition. It would be best to prepare for surgery within the next two or three years. You're aware of the cost, right?" Sebastian's gaze drifted to Valeria's arm, which held a black leather bag with worn handles. Her white canvas shoes were scuffed, and her jeans were faded. With her plain appearance, it seemed unlikely the steep cost of surgery was something she could easily afford. Scenes like this were common in hospitals, but for some reason, he found himself giving her a second look. She was slender, tall, and had pale skin. Her mask and low ponytail made her look youthful, but her daughter was already six years old. The woman lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze. She stood behind her daughter as still and quiet as a statue. The large mask covered her face, leaving only her downcast eyes visible. Sebastian frowned slightly, thinking she had been expecting Shawn and was disappointed with his youth. So, he continued, "If you have concerns about my diagnosis, I can transfer your case to Pediatrics. You and your daughter can consult with Dr. Stone for a second opinion." Valeria nodded silently and murmured, "Sorry to bother you." Then, she gathered the medical records from the desk and left with Selena. Sebastian watched their retreating backs with a frown. After they left, he pushed his glasses up and resumed his work. He saw two more patients in succession. During a brief break, he made himself some water and took a call from Luke Zimmer, his former high school class president. "Our class is having a reunion on the 20th of this month. Everyone in the group chat who's in Slate City has confirmed their attendance. You have to come after being abroad for so long." Sebastian replied, "I'll see if I can make it. My schedule isn't out yet." "Busy man, aren't you? We've organized so many reunions over the years, and you and Jane are the only ones who've never shown up. Do you still remember her? That chubby girl from back then. She just vanished after graduation. You still remember her, right?" Luke asked. "Hello? Sebastian, are you there?" he asked after getting no response. "Hey, why aren't you saying anything? Is your signal bad? I can't hear you." The kettle on the desk hissed and boiled over, causing the water to spill and soak a few papers. Sebastian sat there and didn't move, the phone still in his hands. He looked calm, but one look into his eyes would reveal a turbulent mess. The consultation room door was ajar. A passing nurse rushed in in a hurry. "The water is spilled. Dr. Grant, are you okay?" Sebastian snapped out of his thoughts at that. He stood up but didn't respond to her. Instead, he quickly walked to the window as his grip on the phone tightened. "So, she's never attended a reunion?" Sebastian's voice was steady, but his expression was dark. "Who? Your signal's cutting out. Are you talking about Jane? No, she's been impossible to reach," Luke responded. Luke was still talking, but Sebastian had no interest in whatever he had to say. The young nurse helped him tidy things up with a blush. She tried to chat with him, but noticing that he was in no mood to interact, she left reluctantly. Sebastian seemed lost in his own world, but he still had three more patients that morning. So, he forced himself to focus and finally finished his rounds. Then, he pulled open a drawer and took out a long blue velvet box. Inside was a black fountain pen. It had fallen and broken a few days ago. After six or seven years of use, the black lacquer was chipped, and the pen had begun to leak ink badly. He just had it repaired and hadn't used it yet, but he carefully set it back in the drawer. Sebastian rubbed his forehead, suddenly feeling drained and weary. … Valeria sat on the bus with Selena, and her thoughts were a complete mess. She couldn't help but remember that night seven years ago. It had been Sebastian's birthday. Back then, she had arrived at the private room filled with joy, clutching his gift excitedly. There was a raucous roar of laughter inside. "Holy crap, what's that on Sebastian's neck? A hickey? Sebastian, you didn't sleep with that fat girl, did you?" "No way, Sebastian. Is that fat chick really your girlfriend?" "Come on, it's all the same with the lights off." "Sebastian, are you serious? I saw that gossip on the forums and couldn't believe it. You're really dating her?" "Please, that fat chick schemed and used Gabriella to threaten him. Why else would he date a pig like her?" Then, Sebastian spoke. He said something Valeria would never forget as long as she lived. Perhaps it was because his voice was too distinct and pleasant, but not even the loud music and sneering voices could drown it out. "It's just for fun. I'm going abroad next month anyway." She had stood outside the private room with red eyes. Her heart ached so badly that she couldn't breathe. Sebastian was born into an elite family with an illustrious background. Valeria had never hoped for anything long-term. She knew all along that he would leave the country. That day was Sebastian's 21st birthday. She had planned to celebrate with him and end their relationship. That brief, fruitless love had turned to ash amid their cruel laughter. The gift she had bought him was a black fountain pen. She had saved money from her part-time work for over two months to afford it. His friends had mocked Sebastian over it. "Where did this cheap crap come from? Don't tell me that fatty gave it to you. Are you actually using it?" "Since when does Sebastian use trashy brands like this? It's totally beneath him." "Mommy." Suddenly, Selena tugged her hand and shook it gently. Valeria snapped out of her suffocating memories and hugged Selena tightly. Looking at Selena's face, which faintly resembled Sebastian's, she felt a pang in her chest. As Selena grew, her features looked more and more like Sebastian's. "Mommy, is that doctor who saw me today my daddy?"