Chapter 2

Lincoln was a renowned medical prodigy in the Anderelo medical community. At just twenty-eight, he became the youngest head of the Hepato-Renal Department at Anderelo Hospital, and the press called him "Genius with the Scalpel." His private clinic was always filled with waiting lists of privileged daughters from affluent families. Then, at a medical seminar, he fell in love with Cara at first sight. The very next day, he canceled all major surgeries and cleared his private clinic's schedule. In the scorching summer heat, he stood outside her company building every day, clutching fresh flowers, waiting for her. Those around him came and tried to persuade her, saying they had never seen Lincoln so infatuated with anyone before. “You’ve hit the jackpot!” Cara’s friends also subtly encouraged her. “Give him a chance; it’s also a chance for yourself.” But she never agreed. She was acutely aware of the vast gap between their social standings and feared he was merely captivated by the novelty, only to forget her in a few days. Little did she know, he waited for an entire month, unwavering, rain or shine. One late night after overtime, the rain poured heavily outside. Through the window, Cara saw Lincoln standing in the downpour, his expensive white coat drenched. She rushed downstairs. "What do you want from me?" He loosened his collar, his disheveled appearance unlike anything she’d ever seen, yet his voice remained steady, with the confidence of a doctor. "I want you. As long as you look at me, my whole life is yours." That one sentence broke down all of Cara’s defenses. Against her father’s opposition, she married him. After their wedding, his devotion only grew. Anything she casually mentioned liking would appear on her bedside table the very next day, no matter if it cost millions or came from thousands of miles away. People joked that if Cara wanted a star from the sky, Lincoln would probably find a way to pluck one from a space station. Even her once-opposed father changed his stance. “Lincoln is a man you can trust. With him taking care of you, I could die without regrets.” Cara lived in the dreamy illusion of a perfect love that he had woven, until the day he stood before her, holding Selina’s hand. “Cara, this is Selina, Professor Steele’s daughter. You two should get along.” Before Cara could even process her shock, Selina burst into tears. “Lincoln , you never told me you had a wife! I may need your help as a doctor, but my parents taught me better than getting too close to a married man!” Lincoln remained calm, pulling her into his arms. His voice was still that of a rational doctor. “She is indeed my wife, but you are Professor Steele’s daughter. I have an obligation to take care of you.” “Medically speaking, your condition requires long-term observation and treatment.” Every word cut straight into Cara’s heart like a scalpel. Afterward, she cried, argued, and even drafted divorce papers, placing them in front of him. “I’m willing to let you and Selina be together. I’ll just step aside.” But Lincoln calmly tore up the papers. “Cara, she’s just a patient of mine. Everything I do is because of Professor Steele’s wishes.” “You know she likes you, don’t you?” Lincoln didn’t answer, his expression as composed as ever. Seeing Cara insist on divorce, his voice carried the detached tone of a doctor analyzing a case. “Cara, your father’s health has always been poor. You wouldn’t want these trivial matters to affect his treatment, would you?” “From a medical perspective, emotional stress is extremely dangerous for someone with blood disorders.” She suddenly looked up, staring at him intensely. “What do you mean?” Lincoln’s tone remained calm, as if explaining a treatment plan. “We are husband and wife. You’ve never had to worry about the high cost of treatments. That’s my responsibility as your husband.” He gently embraced her. “When Selina’s condition stabilizes, everything will go back to how it was.” “By then, let’s have a baby to make your father happy. Trust me, this is just a temporary medical arrangement.” But in reality, Lincoln’s concern for Selina far exceeded his awareness. When she caught a cold or fever, he canceled billion-dollar surgical collaborations to be by her side for injections and medication. When her school organized academic exchanges, he—who had always despised dull social events—was willing to shed his white coat, don a school uniform, and hold her hand while visiting laboratories. For her doctoral defense, he attended, dressed formally as her “advisor,” making headlines in Anderelo the very next day. Cara became a laughingstock in the medical community. When she confronted him with tear-filled eyes, clutching the newspaper, Lincoln didn’t even glance at her. His voice was as calm as ever. “Tabloids sensationalize. As a doctor, you should learn to analyze things rationally.” He even turned the blame on her. “You’re my legitimate wife, Cara. Don’t you even have this basic understanding? Emotional outbursts are bad for your health.” Cara’s disappointment in Lincoln grew steadily, until she began planning to escape with her father. Then came the call from the hospital. “Your father’s match has been found! The bone marrow has arrived and is ready for transplant.” She cried tears of joy. Five years of endless prayers had finally been answered! But Lincoln used her father’s life as leverage to force her to give up the hope she had waited five years for.