“Evan, are you alright? I just found out it was your neighbor's house that caught fire, and you...”
“Charlotte, we’re not that close.”
Charlotte froze, looking at him in confusion, “What do you mean?”
“From now on, please address me as Dr. Hunter, like everyone else. We don’t want any misunderstandings.”
Charlotte’s face stiffened, “But I’ve always called you Evan, and you never minded before.”
“That was then, this is now.”
With that, Evan turned to leave but stopped after a few steps, turning back to her. “And one more thing, if my wife comes around, don’t engage with her.”
Without waiting for her response, he walked away, leaving Charlotte standing there with clenched fists, staring at his retreating figure.
He had never cared about such things before. Why the sudden change?
It must be Sophia stirring up trouble!
That afternoon, Evan didn’t have any surgeries scheduled, so he took a leave and went to the Lancaster house.
Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster welcomed him warmly, as always.
After dinner, Sophia yawned, ready to go to her room for a nap, but Mrs. Lancaster called her back.
“Sophia, since Evan has some time, go with him to pack your things and stay at home for a while.”
Their apartment would likely need to be renovated before they could move back in.
Sophia looked defeated, “Mom, can’t I just take a nap?”
“No, this needs to be done now!”
Pouting, Sophia reluctantly walked over to Evan, “Let’s go.”
If she went and packed quickly, maybe she could come back and take a nap.
Just then, Evan spoke up, “Let Sophia stay here and took a rest. I can go back and clean it.”
Sophia eagerly nodded.
“No way! Sophia, you don’t have work over the weekend, unlike Evan. Go now, and come back early for dinner.” Mrs. Lancaster insisted, pushing them both out the door.
Standing outside the closed door, Sophia glared at Evan.
“This is your fault!”
If he hadn’t been so relentless last night, she wouldn’t be so tired.
Evan’s lips curved into a smile as he took her hand and led her to the elevator. “I’ll make sure you get a good night’s sleep tonight.”
Sophia blushed and glared at him, “Evan, this is a public place. Behave!”
“I’m not doing anything.”
Sophia decided to ignore him.
Although they were supposed to pack together, Sophia found a clean corner to take a nap while Evan did the packing.
When he was done, he woke her up, and they left together.
In the car, Sophia asked, “When can we move back in?”
She didn’t want to stay at her parents’ house for too long, where she’d have to listen to their constant nagging.
“Why?”
“It’s not convenient staying at my mom’s place.”
Evan glanced at her, then looked back at the road. “I have another place.”
“...”
He called Mrs. Lancaster to explain the situation, then drove Sophia to a house in the suburbs.
Looking at the black and white decor of the house, Sophia was at a loss for words.
Evan, seeing her surprised expression, explained, “I lived here alone before we got married.”
Sophia nodded in understanding.
Evan glanced at her, wondering if she truly understood.
In reality, he hadn’t known about this house until after their wedding when his parents informed him they had prepared a marital home for him.
This was a house he had bought after starting his job, but after marrying Sophia, they moved into the home his parents had prepared.
After a quick tidy-up, Sophia lay down on the couch, not wanting to move.
“Evan, how about I just sleep on the couch tonight?”
Evan put down what he was doing and walked over, scooping her up into his arms, eliciting a surprised yelp from her.
“What are you doing?”
“Carrying you to bed.”
“N-no, I haven’t showered yet. I should shower first.”
But Evan didn’t put her down, carrying her to the master bedroom and placing her on the bed, hands on either side of her.
“Aren’t you tired? Want me to help you shower?”
Sophia’s face turned bright red, spreading to her neck.
“You...you’re so...” Shameless!
“If yon’t refuse, or I’ll take that as a yes.”
He began to reach for her clothes, scaring Sophia into scrambling out of his arms and running to the bathroom.
With a loud bang, the bathroom door slammed shut and locked.
Evan laughed.
Why hadn’t he noticed how easily flustered his wife was before?
……
Monday arrived, and everything returned to normal.
In just two days, Sophia felt like she had lived through a century.
That afternoon, after work, Sophia went to the hospital to visit her injured neighbor.
She was wrapped up like a mummy, having just come out of surgery. Her parents were profuse in their gratitude towards Sophia for making the emergency call, making Sophia feel a bit embarrassed.
After leaving the ward, Sophia went to find Evan.
At his office door, she was about to push it open when she heard Charlotte’s voice from inside.
“Is she really that great, worth all the effort you’re putting in?”
Sophia paused, stepping back to listen.
“To me, she is the best in the world. Besides, it’s not about worth, it’s about willingness.”
“Evan, she’s not right for you. Why are you so determined?”
Inside the office, Charlotte looked at the cold, handsome man in front of her, her heart breaking.
After a moment of thought, Evan responded, “I don’t know why she’s the one. Maybe you should ask the me from ten years ago.”
“Ten years ago? You...” Charlotte was speechless.
Evan cut her off, “If you can’t control your feelings for me, then I will apply for a transfer.”
He knew Sophia didn’t like him working with Charlotte, so he would rather transfer than upset her.
Charlotte’s eyes widened in disbelief, “Evan, you’re insane!”
“There’s nothing more to say to you.”
He grabbed his coat and walked to the door, opening it to find Sophia standing there with a smile, her eyes twinkling.
He raised an eyebrow, “What brings you here?”
“Oh, I came to pick you up from work.” Sophia linked her arm through his, “Dr. Hunter, may I treat you to dinner?”
Evan smiled, “It would be my pleasure.”
Behind them, Charlotte bit her lip in frustration.
She had always believed she was better than Sophia, thinking that if she persisted, Evan would notice her.
But she was wrong.
Sophia had entered his heart ten years ago. How could she compete with that?
Later that night, Evan was in his study reviewing cases when Sophia walked in with a cup of tea.
Without looking up, he took a sip and continued working.
After a while, he realized she was still there. He looked up, and his gaze stayed fixed on her.
