Betrayal has a bitter taste, especially when it comes from the people you trust most. Sarah Vance thought she had it all—a steady relationship with Jared Jameson and a promising career as a specialist in holistic healing and restorative therapy. That dream shattered when she caught her boyfriend in bed with her own half-sister. To make matters worse, her biased parents didn’t just demand her silence; they framed her for a medical accident that cost a patient his mobility, stripping her of her license and her dignity. Just as she hits rock bottom, a mysterious and powerful man enters her life. Killian Jameson, the enigmatic Chairman of the Horizon Energy Group, seeks her out for her "magic touch" to treat his father’s long-standing paralysis. He is cold, calculated, and dangerously attractive. At the lavish engagement party of her ex and her sister, the ultimate truth is revealed: The man who has been shielding her from the storm, the man who reclaimed her honor, is none other than Jared’s older brother. Sarah tries to retreat, knowing that loving him would tie her forever to the family that destroyed her. But Killian is a man who plays for keeps. He has spent a lifetime being the "perfect" son, but for her, he’s willing to burn every bridge. "If we stay together," Sarah whispers, "we’ll still be family with them." He pulls her into his arms, his thumb brushing her lips as his voice drops to a low, commanding growl: "Then let me be the only family you ever need."

Chapter 1Sarah Vance had just finished removing the needles from her previous patient and was washing her hands at the clinic sink.She didn't even look up as a figure stepped into the room, her voice soft but professional. "Lower your trousers and lie face down on the treatment bed."She focused on scrubbing between her fingers, catching only a glimpse of a tall silhouette from the corner of her eye.He was a strikingly well-built man with broad shoulders and long legs, taking up a considerable amount of space just by standing there.When she turned off the faucet and dried her hands with sterile gauze, she turned to find the man still sitting rigidly on the chair against the wall, making no move to undress.Sarah was more than used to this kind of hesitation.As a practitioner in the Department of Integrative Medicine, she understood the reservations her patients had, especially when it came to exposing their lower backs and hips.She opened her sterilized kit, arranging the fine silver needles by length, and softened her tone. "You don't need to be embarrassed. To a doctor, there are no genders, only patients who need treatment."She picked up a needle, its fine tip catching the cold overhead light, and added, "Just lie face down and lower your trousers slightly to expose your lower back."The man fell silent for a few seconds, closed his eyes, and finally reached for his belt. The metal buckle gave a soft click in the quiet room.Taking advantage of the moment, Sarah picked up the intake form from her desk. "Killian Jameson? You're here for lower back pain, correct?"The man was already lying face down on the bed, his face half-buried in the pillow. He gave a low, muffled grunt of confirmation.Sarah brought her kit over and hooked a stool closer with her heel, sitting just close enough to clearly see the tension points along his lower back."The chart just says back pain. Did you twist it recently, or is this an old injury?""Neither," the man replied, his words clipped and guarded.Sarah couldn't help but glance at his exposed profile. His jawline was sharp and tightly clenched.Most of her patients would ramble on about their medical history and every minor ache they'd ever had, but this man refused to offer a single extra word.She didn't press the issue, her cool fingertips lightly pressing into the side of his lower waist.The muscles beneath her touch were incredibly firm, but thrummed with a heavy, unnatural tension."Does it hurt here?"The moment she spoke, she felt the muscles under her hands violently clench."Relax. I need to locate the exact source of the tension before I can begin the treatment."Her voice was clear and warm, laced with a soothing bedside manner.Killian's gaze turned somber, a storm of unreadable emotions swirling in his eyes, but he obediently forced his body to relax.Sarah applied gentle pressure to a few key points along his lower back and hips before pulling her hands away."It's nothing serious. Just a mild muscle strain, likely from sitting too long or overexerting yourself at the gym."With that, she picked up her arranged needles. With swift, practiced movements, she expertly inserted them into the targeted tension points.The silver needles vibrated faintly under the harsh clinic lights."Alright, don't move. I'll be back in twenty minutes to remove them."Sarah packed up her kit, pulled the blue privacy curtain around his bed, and returned to her desk to buzz the next patient in.Behind the curtain, Killian lay flat, his expression absolutely glacial.He pulled out his phone and texted his secretary, Cole Carter.[You booked me for back pain?]Cole's reply was instantaneous: [Your last physical only showed a mild lower back strain, sir. If I made up a fake illness, a doctor might treat you for something you don't have. Better safe than sorry!]Killian stared at the screen, grinding his teeth as he typed back: [You're far too thoughtful.][Just doing my job, Boss.]The only reason Killian was even here was because of his grandfather.Elder Jameson had suffered a severe leg injury during his military service years ago. Poor medical care at the time had left him with chronic pain that had recently become so debilitating he could barely walk.They had seen countless specialists to no avail, until someone recommended Sarah Vance at Lakeside General Hospital, claiming the young doctor's integrative therapies worked miracles.Killian had been incredibly skeptical at first.A twenty-six-year-old doctor, no matter how glowing her resume, couldn't possibly have enough clinical experience to back up those claims.After much hesitation, he decided to test the waters himself.Despite his annoyance, he had to admit Cole's logic was sound. If he was going to test her skills, he needed a genuine ailment to see if she could actually fix it.Through the thin privacy curtain, he could faintly hear Sarah speaking with her next patient.She was endlessly patient with an elderly woman who kept asking the same questions over and over, her tone remaining warm and steady without a hint of frustration.Without realizing it, the hard lines of Killian's face began to soften.The twenty minutes flew by, and the curtain was pulled back with a sharp swish. Sarah stood by the bed once more."I'm removing them now. Stay still."She pinched the ends of the needles, gave them a gentle twist, and pulled them out so smoothly he barely felt a thing."The strain isn't severe. Just try not to sit for extended periods and do some light stretches. You won't need another session."As she worked, Sarah couldn't help but notice the sculpted lines of his waist and hips. It was obvious he spent a lot of time at the gym; the strain was located exactly where he would pivot during heavy lifting.Putting the last needle away, Sarah closed the curtain again.Killian sat up, quickly fastened his belt, and stepped out to see another patient already waiting.Her clinic was surprisingly packed.He glanced at Sarah, who was already immersed in her work, and left the room without a word of goodbye.By the time she saw her last patient out, the clock on the wall read twelve-twenty-five.She carefully sterilized her tools, organized her desk, and grabbed her purse from the chair before leaving the clinic.Her phone buzzed in her pocket, flashing an unknown number.As a doctor, she often gave her personal number to patients who needed follow-ups, so she never ignored unfamiliar calls.Sarah swiped the screen. "Hello?""Sarah, it's me!" a familiar, excited voice chirped through the speaker. "Let's grab dinner tonight!"Sarah paused, instantly recognizing the voice. "Nina? Did you get a new number?"Nina Lambert was her old college roommate and one of her few genuine friends in the city.Years ago, Sarah had met Jared Jameson at Nina's wedding.Jared had been instantly captivated by her in her bridesmaid dress and pursued her relentlessly.But his fiery devotion hadn't lasted. Less than two years into their relationship, Jared had cheated on her with her half-sister, Samantha Vance, shattering her completely.At the thought, a flicker of cold mockery flashed through Sarah's eyes, quickly masked by a light laugh.She walked down the hospital corridor, teasing, "Asking me out of the blue? Do you have some big news to share?""This isn't my phone, it's my husband's. Mine died," Nina laughed, deliberately keeping her in suspense. "I do have good news, but I have to tell you in person!"Sarah stopped at the elevator, hesitating for a fraction of a second.If it was good news about Nina and her husband, had they invited Jared, too?"I'll text you the address! You have to come! Oh, Dante's getting a call, I have to go!"After her shift, Sarah traded her white coat for her street clothes and took a cab straight to the restaurant.Nina had booked a table at The Zenith Grill on the south side of town.It was an upscale seafood place, and definitely not cheap.Sarah had been here several times with Jared in the past.By the time her cab pulled up, the sun had just set, and the street in front of the brightly lit restaurant was packed with expensive cars.Sarah gave the hostess her room number and was guided down a quiet hallway. Just as she reached the door, she heard a voice that made her freeze.It was Samantha.Her footsteps stopped abruptly, a suffocating wave of tension gripping her chest.The hostess pushed the door open, and the noisy chatter of the private dining room flooded her ears.The room was full. Alongside Samantha and Jared, she recognized several faces from Nina's wedding.At the sound of the door opening, the entire room turned to look.Seeing Sarah, Samantha immediately shot up from her seat."Sarah..." Samantha's voice trembled with forced panic, acting as though she were terrified of her own sister. "I didn't know you were coming."Looking at Samantha's pathetic act, Sarah felt her blood run cold.She used to think her younger sister was just timid, which was why she had always protected her and taken the fall for her.That was, until the day she walked into Jared's apartment and caught them in bed. She had heard Jared holding Samantha's hand, promising, 'As soon as I end things with Sarah, I'm going to marry you.'And Sarah had just stood there like a fool, holding the birthday cake she had baked for him, paralyzed by the sheer absurdity of his betrayal."That's enough, Sarah. You've bullied Samantha her whole life. Are you really going to do it in public now?" Jared stood up, pulling Samantha behind him protectively, his eyes glaring at Sarah with open hostility.Standing in the doorway, Sarah felt the warmth drain from her body.She stared at the icy contempt in Jared's eyes, then at the smug smirk hidden behind Samantha's tears. Her throat tightened.She bullied Samantha?It was truly a marvel how her sister could play the victim while completely rewriting history."Jared, please don't say that," Samantha whispered, tugging at his sleeve just loud enough for the room to hear. "Sarah, I know you hate seeing me. I'll leave so I don't ruin your night.""If she's unhappy, she can leave. Why should you be the one to back down?" Jared wrapped an arm tightly around her waist, practically daring anyone to challenge him.He looked up at Sarah, a mocking sneer pulling at his lips. "Samantha and I are getting engaged next month. She's going to be a Jameson, and I won't let anyone disrespect her."Nina had been outside taking a phone call when Jared arrived.Her husband, Dante Drake, was close friends with Jared. Dante knew Jared was on the guest list and figured since Sarah and Jared used to date, it would be fine to have them both in the same room.Nina never imagined Jared would have the audacity to bring his new mistress and humiliate Sarah like this.Nina was practically shaking with rage.If Dante hadn't been holding her back, she would have marched over and slapped them both.Physical violence was out of the question, but she refused to let them parade around like this."Do you remember the promises you made when you were chasing Sarah? You threw them all away the second you got bored."Nina regretted ever introducing them.If Dante hadn't sworn up and down that Jared was a good guy, she never would have given him Sarah's number.Furious, she shot her husband a lethal glare.Jared replied coolly, "Everyone gets blinded by a pretty face once in their life. Samantha is my girlfriend now, and soon she'll be my fiancée.""Blinded?" Nina yelled back. "You're just blind!""Watch your mouth, Nina!" Jared snapped, his temper flaring."Nina, please calm down!" Dante pleaded, grabbing his wife's arm. "We have guests. You're just making this harder for Sarah."Chapter 2Sarah Vance had just finished removing the needles from her previous patient and was washing her hands at the clinic sink.She didn't even look up as a figure stepped into the room, her voice soft but professional. "Lower your trousers and lie face down on the treatment bed."She focused on scrubbing between her fingers, catching only a glimpse of a tall silhouette from the corner of her eye.He was a strikingly well-built man with broad shoulders and long legs, taking up a considerable amount of space just by standing there.When she turned off the faucet and dried her hands with sterile gauze, she turned to find the man still sitting rigidly on the chair against the wall, making no move to undress.Sarah was more than used to this kind of hesitation.As a practitioner in the Department of Integrative Medicine, she understood the reservations her patients had, especially when it came to exposing their lower backs and hips.She opened her sterilized kit, arranging the fine silver needles by length, and softened her tone. "You don't need to be embarrassed. To a doctor, there are no genders, only patients who need treatment."She picked up a needle, its fine tip catching the cold overhead light, and added, "Just lie face down and lower your trousers slightly to expose your lower back."The man fell silent for a few seconds, closed his eyes, and finally reached for his belt. The metal buckle gave a soft click in the quiet room.Taking advantage of the moment, Sarah picked up the intake form from her desk. "Killian Jameson? You're here for lower back pain, correct?"The man was already lying face down on the bed, his face half-buried in the pillow. He gave a low, muffled grunt of confirmation.Sarah brought her kit over and hooked a stool closer with her heel, sitting just close enough to clearly see the tension points along his lower back."The chart just says back pain. Did you twist it recently, or is this an old injury?""Neither," the man replied, his words clipped and guarded.Sarah couldn't help but glance at his exposed profile. His jawline was sharp and tightly clenched.Most of her patients would ramble on about their medical history and every minor ache they'd ever had, but this man refused to offer a single extra word.She didn't press the issue, her cool fingertips lightly pressing into the side of his lower waist.The muscles beneath her touch were incredibly firm, but thrummed with a heavy, unnatural tension."Does it hurt here?"The moment she spoke, she felt the muscles under her hands violently clench."Relax. I need to locate the exact source of the tension before I can begin the treatment."Her voice was clear and warm, laced with a soothing bedside manner.Killian's gaze turned somber, a storm of unreadable emotions swirling in his eyes, but he obediently forced his body to relax.Sarah applied gentle pressure to a few key points along his lower back and hips before pulling her hands away."It's nothing serious. Just a mild muscle strain, likely from sitting too long or overexerting yourself at the gym."With that, she picked up her arranged needles. With swift, practiced movements, she expertly inserted them into the targeted tension points.The silver needles vibrated faintly under the harsh clinic lights."Alright, don't move. I'll be back in twenty minutes to remove them."Sarah packed up her kit, pulled the blue privacy curtain around his bed, and returned to her desk to buzz the next patient in.Behind the curtain, Killian lay flat, his expression absolutely glacial.He pulled out his phone and texted his secretary, Cole Carter.[You booked me for back pain?]Cole's reply was instantaneous: [Your last physical only showed a mild lower back strain, sir. If I made up a fake illness, a doctor might treat you for something you don't have. Better safe than sorry!]Killian stared at the screen, grinding his teeth as he typed back: [You're far too thoughtful.][Just doing my job, Boss.]The only reason Killian was even here was because of his grandfather.Elder Jameson had suffered a severe leg injury during his military service years ago. Poor medical care at the time had left him with chronic pain that had recently become so debilitating he could barely walk.They had seen countless specialists to no avail, until someone recommended Sarah Vance at Lakeside General Hospital, claiming the young doctor's integrative therapies worked miracles.Killian had been incredibly skeptical at first.A twenty-six-year-old doctor, no matter how glowing her resume, couldn't possibly have enough clinical experience to back up those claims.After much hesitation, he decided to test the waters himself.Despite his annoyance, he had to admit Cole's logic was sound. If he was going to test her skills, he needed a genuine ailment to see if she could actually fix it.Through the thin privacy curtain, he could faintly hear Sarah speaking with her next patient.She was endlessly patient with an elderly woman who kept asking the same questions over and over, her tone remaining warm and steady without a hint of frustration.Without realizing it, the hard lines of Killian's face began to soften.The twenty minutes flew by, and the curtain was pulled back with a sharp swish. Sarah stood by the bed once more."I'm removing them now. Stay still."She pinched the ends of the needles, gave them a gentle twist, and pulled them out so smoothly he barely felt a thing."The strain isn't severe. Just try not to sit for extended periods and do some light stretches. You won't need another session."As she worked, Sarah couldn't help but notice the sculpted lines of his waist and hips. It was obvious he spent a lot of time at the gym; the strain was located exactly where he would pivot during heavy lifting.Putting the last needle away, Sarah closed the curtain again.Killian sat up, quickly fastened his belt, and stepped out to see another patient already waiting.Her clinic was surprisingly packed.He glanced at Sarah, who was already immersed in her work, and left the room without a word of goodbye.By the time she saw her last patient out, the clock on the wall read twelve-twenty-five.She carefully sterilized her tools, organized her desk, and grabbed her purse from the chair before leaving the clinic.Her phone buzzed in her pocket, flashing an unknown number.As a doctor, she often gave her personal number to patients who needed follow-ups, so she never ignored unfamiliar calls.Sarah swiped the screen. "Hello?""Sarah, it's me!" a familiar, excited voice chirped through the speaker. "Let's grab dinner tonight!"Sarah paused, instantly recognizing the voice. "Nina? Did you get a new number?"Nina Lambert was her old college roommate and one of her few genuine friends in the city.Years ago, Sarah had met Jared Jameson at Nina's wedding.Jared had been instantly captivated by her in her bridesmaid dress and pursued her relentlessly.But his fiery devotion hadn't lasted. Less than two years into their relationship, Jared had cheated on her with her half-sister, Samantha Vance, shattering her completely.At the thought, a flicker of cold mockery flashed through Sarah's eyes, quickly masked by a light laugh.She walked down the hospital corridor, teasing, "Asking me out of the blue? Do you have some big news to share?""This isn't my phone, it's my husband's. Mine died," Nina laughed, deliberately keeping her in suspense. "I do have good news, but I have to tell you in person!"Sarah stopped at the elevator, hesitating for a fraction of a second.If it was good news about Nina and her husband, had they invited Jared, too?"I'll text you the address! You have to come! Oh, Dante's getting a call, I have to go!"After her shift, Sarah traded her white coat for her street clothes and took a cab straight to the restaurant.Nina had booked a table at The Zenith Grill on the south side of town.It was an upscale seafood place, and definitely not cheap.Sarah had been here several times with Jared in the past.By the time her cab pulled up, the sun had just set, and the street in front of the brightly lit restaurant was packed with expensive cars.Sarah gave the hostess her room number and was guided down a quiet hallway. Just as she reached the door, she heard a voice that made her freeze.It was Samantha.Her footsteps stopped abruptly, a suffocating wave of tension gripping her chest.The hostess pushed the door open, and the noisy chatter of the private dining room flooded her ears.The room was full. Alongside Samantha and Jared, she recognized several faces from Nina's wedding.At the sound of the door opening, the entire room turned to look.Seeing Sarah, Samantha immediately shot up from her seat."Sarah..." Samantha's voice trembled with forced panic, acting as though she were terrified of her own sister. "I didn't know you were coming."Looking at Samantha's pathetic act, Sarah felt her blood run cold.She used to think her younger sister was just timid, which was why she had always protected her and taken the fall for her.That was, until the day she walked into Jared's apartment and caught them in bed. She had heard Jared holding Samantha's hand, promising, 'As soon as I end things with Sarah, I'm going to marry you.'And Sarah had just stood there like a fool, holding the birthday cake she had baked for him, paralyzed by the sheer absurdity of his betrayal."That's enough, Sarah. You've bullied Samantha her whole life. Are you really going to do it in public now?" Jared stood up, pulling Samantha behind him protectively, his eyes glaring at Sarah with open hostility.Standing in the doorway, Sarah felt the warmth drain from her body.She stared at the icy contempt in Jared's eyes, then at the smug smirk hidden behind Samantha's tears. Her throat tightened.She bullied Samantha?It was truly a marvel how her sister could play the victim while completely rewriting history."Jared, please don't say that," Samantha whispered, tugging at his sleeve just loud enough for the room to hear. "Sarah, I know you hate seeing me. I'll leave so I don't ruin your night.""If she's unhappy, she can leave. Why should you be the one to back down?" Jared wrapped an arm tightly around her waist, practically daring anyone to challenge him.He looked up at Sarah, a mocking sneer pulling at his lips. "Samantha and I are getting engaged next month. She's going to be a Jameson, and I won't let anyone disrespect her."Nina had been outside taking a phone call when Jared arrived.Her husband, Dante Drake, was close friends with Jared. Dante knew Jared was on the guest list and figured since Sarah and Jared used to date, it would be fine to have them both in the same room.Nina never imagined Jared would have the audacity to bring his new mistress and humiliate Sarah like this.Nina was practically shaking with rage.If Dante hadn't been holding her back, she would have marched over and slapped them both.Physical violence was out of the question, but she refused to let them parade around like this."Do you remember the promises you made when you were chasing Sarah? You threw them all away the second you got bored."Nina regretted ever introducing them.If Dante hadn't sworn up and down that Jared was a good guy, she never would have given him Sarah's number.Furious, she shot her husband a lethal glare.Jared replied coolly, "Everyone gets blinded by a pretty face once in their life. Samantha is my girlfriend now, and soon she'll be my fiancée.""Blinded?" Nina yelled back. "You're just blind!""Watch your mouth, Nina!" Jared snapped, his temper flaring."Nina, please calm down!" Dante pleaded, grabbing his wife's arm. "We have guests. You're just making this harder for Sarah."Chapter 3Sarah Vance had just finished removing the needles from her previous patient and was washing her hands at the clinic sink.She didn't even look up as a figure stepped into the room, her voice soft but professional. "Lower your trousers and lie face down on the treatment bed."She focused on scrubbing between her fingers, catching only a glimpse of a tall silhouette from the corner of her eye.He was a strikingly well-built man with broad shoulders and long legs, taking up a considerable amount of space just by standing there.When she turned off the faucet and dried her hands with sterile gauze, she turned to find the man still sitting rigidly on the chair against the wall, making no move to undress.Sarah was more than used to this kind of hesitation.As a practitioner in the Department of Integrative Medicine, she understood the reservations her patients had, especially when it came to exposing their lower backs and hips.She opened her sterilized kit, arranging the fine silver needles by length, and softened her tone. "You don't need to be embarrassed. To a doctor, there are no genders, only patients who need treatment."She picked up a needle, its fine tip catching the cold overhead light, and added, "Just lie face down and lower your trousers slightly to expose your lower back."The man fell silent for a few seconds, closed his eyes, and finally reached for his belt. The metal buckle gave a soft click in the quiet room.Taking advantage of the moment, Sarah picked up the intake form from her desk. "Killian Jameson? You're here for lower back pain, correct?"The man was already lying face down on the bed, his face half-buried in the pillow. He gave a low, muffled grunt of confirmation.Sarah brought her kit over and hooked a stool closer with her heel, sitting just close enough to clearly see the tension points along his lower back."The chart just says back pain. Did you twist it recently, or is this an old injury?""Neither," the man replied, his words clipped and guarded.Sarah couldn't help but glance at his exposed profile. His jawline was sharp and tightly clenched.Most of her patients would ramble on about their medical history and every minor ache they'd ever had, but this man refused to offer a single extra word.She didn't press the issue, her cool fingertips lightly pressing into the side of his lower waist.The muscles beneath her touch were incredibly firm, but thrummed with a heavy, unnatural tension."Does it hurt here?"The moment she spoke, she felt the muscles under her hands violently clench."Relax. I need to locate the exact source of the tension before I can begin the treatment."Her voice was clear and warm, laced with a soothing bedside manner.Killian's gaze turned somber, a storm of unreadable emotions swirling in his eyes, but he obediently forced his body to relax.Sarah applied gentle pressure to a few key points along his lower back and hips before pulling her hands away."It's nothing serious. Just a mild muscle strain, likely from sitting too long or overexerting yourself at the gym."With that, she picked up her arranged needles. With swift, practiced movements, she expertly inserted them into the targeted tension points.The silver needles vibrated faintly under the harsh clinic lights."Alright, don't move. I'll be back in twenty minutes to remove them."Sarah packed up her kit, pulled the blue privacy curtain around his bed, and returned to her desk to buzz the next patient in.Behind the curtain, Killian lay flat, his expression absolutely glacial.He pulled out his phone and texted his secretary, Cole Carter.[You booked me for back pain?]Cole's reply was instantaneous: [Your last physical only showed a mild lower back strain, sir. If I made up a fake illness, a doctor might treat you for something you don't have. Better safe than sorry!]Killian stared at the screen, grinding his teeth as he typed back: [You're far too thoughtful.][Just doing my job, Boss.]The only reason Killian was even here was because of his grandfather.Elder Jameson had suffered a severe leg injury during his military service years ago. Poor medical care at the time had left him with chronic pain that had recently become so debilitating he could barely walk.They had seen countless specialists to no avail, until someone recommended Sarah Vance at Lakeside General Hospital, claiming the young doctor's integrative therapies worked miracles.Killian had been incredibly skeptical at first.A twenty-six-year-old doctor, no matter how glowing her resume, couldn't possibly have enough clinical experience to back up those claims.After much hesitation, he decided to test the waters himself.Despite his annoyance, he had to admit Cole's logic was sound. If he was going to test her skills, he needed a genuine ailment to see if she could actually fix it.Through the thin privacy curtain, he could faintly hear Sarah speaking with her next patient.She was endlessly patient with an elderly woman who kept asking the same questions over and over, her tone remaining warm and steady without a hint of frustration.Without realizing it, the hard lines of Killian's face began to soften.The twenty minutes flew by, and the curtain was pulled back with a sharp swish. Sarah stood by the bed once more."I'm removing them now. Stay still."She pinched the ends of the needles, gave them a gentle twist, and pulled them out so smoothly he barely felt a thing."The strain isn't severe. Just try not to sit for extended periods and do some light stretches. You won't need another session."As she worked, Sarah couldn't help but notice the sculpted lines of his waist and hips. It was obvious he spent a lot of time at the gym; the strain was located exactly where he would pivot during heavy lifting.Putting the last needle away, Sarah closed the curtain again.Killian sat up, quickly fastened his belt, and stepped out to see another patient already waiting.Her clinic was surprisingly packed.He glanced at Sarah, who was already immersed in her work, and left the room without a word of goodbye.By the time she saw her last patient out, the clock on the wall read twelve-twenty-five.She carefully sterilized her tools, organized her desk, and grabbed her purse from the chair before leaving the clinic.Her phone buzzed in her pocket, flashing an unknown number.As a doctor, she often gave her personal number to patients who needed follow-ups, so she never ignored unfamiliar calls.Sarah swiped the screen. "Hello?""Sarah, it's me!" a familiar, excited voice chirped through the speaker. "Let's grab dinner tonight!"Sarah paused, instantly recognizing the voice. "Nina? Did you get a new number?"Nina Lambert was her old college roommate and one of her few genuine friends in the city.Years ago, Sarah had met Jared Jameson at Nina's wedding.Jared had been instantly captivated by her in her bridesmaid dress and pursued her relentlessly.But his fiery devotion hadn't lasted. Less than two years into their relationship, Jared had cheated on her with her half-sister, Samantha Vance, shattering her completely.At the thought, a flicker of cold mockery flashed through Sarah's eyes, quickly masked by a light laugh.She walked down the hospital corridor, teasing, "Asking me out of the blue? Do you have some big news to share?""This isn't my phone, it's my husband's. Mine died," Nina laughed, deliberately keeping her in suspense. "I do have good news, but I have to tell you in person!"Sarah stopped at the elevator, hesitating for a fraction of a second.If it was good news about Nina and her husband, had they invited Jared, too?"I'll text you the address! You have to come! Oh, Dante's getting a call, I have to go!"After her shift, Sarah traded her white coat for her street clothes and took a cab straight to the restaurant.Nina had booked a table at The Zenith Grill on the south side of town.It was an upscale seafood place, and definitely not cheap.Sarah had been here several times with Jared in the past.By the time her cab pulled up, the sun had just set, and the street in front of the brightly lit restaurant was packed with expensive cars.Sarah gave the hostess her room number and was guided down a quiet hallway. Just as she reached the door, she heard a voice that made her freeze.It was Samantha.Her footsteps stopped abruptly, a suffocating wave of tension gripping her chest.The hostess pushed the door open, and the noisy chatter of the private dining room flooded her ears.The room was full. Alongside Samantha and Jared, she recognized several faces from Nina's wedding.At the sound of the door opening, the entire room turned to look.Seeing Sarah, Samantha immediately shot up from her seat."Sarah..." Samantha's voice trembled with forced panic, acting as though she were terrified of her own sister. "I didn't know you were coming."Looking at Samantha's pathetic act, Sarah felt her blood run cold.She used to think her younger sister was just timid, which was why she had always protected her and taken the fall for her.That was, until the day she walked into Jared's apartment and caught them in bed. She had heard Jared holding Samantha's hand, promising, 'As soon as I end things with Sarah, I'm going to marry you.'And Sarah had just stood there like a fool, holding the birthday cake she had baked for him, paralyzed by the sheer absurdity of his betrayal."That's enough, Sarah. You've bullied Samantha her whole life. Are you really going to do it in public now?" Jared stood up, pulling Samantha behind him protectively, his eyes glaring at Sarah with open hostility.Standing in the doorway, Sarah felt the warmth drain from her body.She stared at the icy contempt in Jared's eyes, then at the smug smirk hidden behind Samantha's tears. Her throat tightened.She bullied Samantha?It was truly a marvel how her sister could play the victim while completely rewriting history."Jared, please don't say that," Samantha whispered, tugging at his sleeve just loud enough for the room to hear. "Sarah, I know you hate seeing me. I'll leave so I don't ruin your night.""If she's unhappy, she can leave. Why should you be the one to back down?" Jared wrapped an arm tightly around her waist, practically daring anyone to challenge him.He looked up at Sarah, a mocking sneer pulling at his lips. "Samantha and I are getting engaged next month. She's going to be a Jameson, and I won't let anyone disrespect her."Nina had been outside taking a phone call when Jared arrived.Her husband, Dante Drake, was close friends with Jared. Dante knew Jared was on the guest list and figured since Sarah and Jared used to date, it would be fine to have them both in the same room.Nina never imagined Jared would have the audacity to bring his new mistress and humiliate Sarah like this.Nina was practically shaking with rage.If Dante hadn't been holding her back, she would have marched over and slapped them both.Physical violence was out of the question, but she refused to let them parade around like this."Do you remember the promises you made when you were chasing Sarah? You threw them all away the second you got bored."Nina regretted ever introducing them.If Dante hadn't sworn up and down that Jared was a good guy, she never would have given him Sarah's number.Furious, she shot her husband a lethal glare.Jared replied coolly, "Everyone gets blinded by a pretty face once in their life. Samantha is my girlfriend now, and soon she'll be my fiancée.""Blinded?" Nina yelled back. "You're just blind!""Watch your mouth, Nina!" Jared snapped, his temper flaring."Nina, please calm down!" Dante pleaded, grabbing his wife's arm. "We have guests. You're just making this harder for Sarah."