Chapter 1

I was diagnosed with breast cancer during my premarital checkup.

My fiancé Daniel tried to persuade me:

"Elliot, just get it removed. I won't think less of you.

Georgina specially applied for this surgery slot for you. She's been interning in oncology for a year now, and it wasn't easy for her to get this practical opportunity."

So he was pushing me to accept the surgery just so his childhood friend could practice on me.

I endured the churning pain in my chest and firmly refused: "No!"

"But Georgina needs this surgery!" he said angrily.

I looked at him in disbelief.

Daniel realized his tone was too harsh and softened his attitude:

"If something's broken, it has to be removed. Worst case... you can just get implants later. If you don't have the surgery, how can we still get married?"

Then let's not get married!

He didn't know I'd already booked my flight abroad.

I had a childhood friend who happened to be a world-renowned oncology expert.

Seeing me silent, Daniel took advantage of the red light to grab my hand and persuade me.

"Would I really harm you?"

"Georgina already analyzed the pros and cons with me. If you don't get this surgery soon, it could be life-threatening!"

"Who do you think I'm doing this for?"

The more he spoke, the more panicked he became.

I coldly pulled my hand away from Daniel's. "Daniel, don't treat people like fools."

"You know perfectly well who you're doing this for!"

The atmosphere in the car dropped several degrees.

Daniel's proud jawline tensed. He glanced back at me with a glare. "Here you go again, getting jealous and making a scene over Georgina, right?"

"I've told you hundreds of times—Georgina and I are completely innocent. It's not as dirty as you think!"

"If you really think that way, I guess there's really no need for us to get married."

Whenever Georgina was mentioned, Daniel would use marriage to pressure me.

Whenever it concerned Georgina, it was always me overthinking, me being petty.

"Fine. Let's not get married then."

The car suddenly screeched to a halt by the roadside.

Daniel hadn't expected me to agree. Disbelief flickered in his eyes.

"Elliot, you really don't know what's good for you."

"Do you know how long Georgina fought with the hospital for this surgery slot for you? Do you know how many times I've gone to the hospital for your condition?"

I let out a cold laugh. "Well, thank you both so much for your hard work."

"But I already said—I'm not doing this surgery."

"Whether as family or as a doctor, shouldn't you respect the patient's own wishes?"

It had been a month since the premarital checkup diagnosed my breast cancer.

During this month, Daniel had indeed been running back and forth to the hospital.

But it wasn't for my condition—it was to pick up and drop off Georgina from work.

Daniel and I had been together for eight years. Forget picking me up from work—he didn't even know which direction my office door faced.

But Georgina had only been back for six months, and he'd already become a hospital regular.

"Elliot, this isn't up to you."

"I've already filled out the admission form for you, and I'll sign the surgery consent form as your spouse when the time comes."

"This surgery is important for both you and Georgina!"

Not important for me. Important for Georgina.

Who didn't know that Georgina, despite being back for six months, kept making mistakes in the operating room and might get fired?

She needed my surgery to prove her abilities.

"No way..."

My unfinished words were interrupted by urgent ringing. Georgina's name flashed on the screen.

I stared at the custom sticker on the passenger side dashboard—"Georgina's Seat Only"—the words burning into my eyes.

I'd fought with him countless times over this sticker, but Daniel always said the same thing:

"She's younger than you, more immature than you. Can't you just be understanding?"

"It's just a sticker. What's the big deal?"

Whenever it concerned Georgina, in Daniel's eyes I was being unreasonable and jealous.

Over the past six months, I'd swallowed more grievances than I could count.

I rolled my eyes and said nothing, watching him answer the call.

"What's wrong, Georgina?"

Completely different from his confrontational tone with me moments ago, his voice was immediately gentle and concerned.

Whatever she sobbed about on the other end, Daniel tensed up nervously.

"Okay, I'll be right there."

After hanging up, Daniel unlocked the doors.

"Georgina's apartment is flooding. I need to get over there."

"Take a cab home yourself."

Daniel turned the steering wheel and made a U-turn. "The surgery is decided. Stop putting on a show."

"That thing—once it's gone, it's gone. Let's be real, women's breasts are basically just there for men anyway, right?"

"I'm not even bothered that you won't have them. Why are you making such a fuss?"

My mind exploded with a buzzing sound.

Before I could respond, Daniel unbuckled my seatbelt and pushed me out of the car.