Chapter 2
When Frost woke again, several people surrounded her bed–all interns under Callan Reid, including Rayna.[]
She pushed herself up: “What are you doing here?“]
An honest–looking intern spoke up: “Dr. Reid said to use you
a teaching case, told us to come early…“]
Someone elbowed him: “Why explain so much? She’s just someone leveraging old favors. Doesn’t deserve our courtesy.“[]
Frost’s face paled. Before, those words wouldn’t have affected her. But now they rang true–Callan was trapped beside her because she was “leveraging favors.“]
“Exactly. If not for her, Dr. Reid could pursue his true love.” The speaker’s eyes drifted meaningfully to Rayna Mills in the
center.
Frost watched Rayna’s embarrassed expression, feeling a sharp stab to her heart.[]
Someone clapped their hands suddenly: “Think her mother volunteered to take the fall just to get her daughter married to Dr. Reid? I mean, with their background, they could never reach that level even working their whole lives.“[]
Others chimed in: “That’s it! Mother and daughter, both rotten. The mother was especially calculating.”
Frost clenched her fists. They could say anything about her–she knew she was at fault and would bear it.]]
But her mother had taken the blame purely from gratitude for the Reid family’s kindness, with no thought of reward.[]
Their words grew more vicious. She wouldn’t let them slander her mother. Standing, she raised her hand to slap the loudest speaker.
Rayna, catching sight of Callan about to enter, stepped protectively in front of the intern.[]
Slap!
The blow landed on Rayna’s face. Frost froze.[]
Callan walked in to this scene. He rushed forward, pulling Rayna close and shoving Frost away.
His voice blazed with anger: “Frost Harper, what are you doing?!“]]
She flinched at his shout, staring at him in disbelief. Callan had never used such a harsh tone with her.[]
He didn’t meet her gaze, eyes full of concern as he led Rayna out to tend her wound.[]
Ten minutes later, Callan returned. His first words: “Go apologize to Rayna.“[]
Frost turned her head away, silent.[]
“I’ve spoiled you too much all these years.” His voice was stern.[]
Two Men, One Choice, My Happy Ending
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She stiffened, throat burning as she looked back at him: “They called me a favor leveraging manipulator first, said my mother took the fall just to climb up to your family. Besides, I wasn’t trying to hit Rayna–she jumped in fronts
His expression didn’t soften, his voice turning cold: “Weren’t they right, though?”
Frost’s pupils constricted, breath catching. Disbelief, hurt, and grievance nearly drowned her
Of course. He’d always thought this way.[]
Otherwise, why keep hurting her to delay their wedding? Why call it mere duty?
She lowered her head, lips curving in self–mockery: “Fine. I’ll apologize.“]
Frost dragged her broken body after Callan toward his office.
Opening the door, she was startled to see Rayna sitting alone in his desk chair. A memory surfaced.]
She’d once wanted to pick Callan up from work. He said he’d be late, she offered to wait in his office.
“My office has important files. Can’t leave people alone in there,” he’d said.
Yet Rayna could sit there alone. So men’s principles only applied to women they didn’t love. For those they did, rules meant nothing.
Suppressing the dense pain in her chest, she approached Rayna and bowed: “Sorry for accidentally hitting you earlier.”
Rayna looked surprised, covering her mouth: “Mrs. Reid?“]]
Callan moved beside her, patting her head with mild disapproval: “We’re not married yet. Don’t call her that.“]
When others called Frost “Mrs. Reid,” he never corrected them. But with Rayna, he did.[]
Didn’t want to hear that word from his beloved’s lips? Bitterness flashed in Frost’s eyes.]]
Rayna obediently hummed, changing her address: “Miss Harper, don’t blame yourself. I forgive you.”]
Her magnanimous act finally made Callan release Frost: “Go back and rest properly.“]
Frost’s nails dug deep into her palms. She turned and left the office, stumbling when someone bumped into her just outside.]
She fell, pain shooting through her body, breaking out in cold sweat.[]
From the office came Callan’s concerned voice: “Does your face still hurt? Let me apply more medicine.“[]
Tears finally broke free, shattering on the floor. She covered her mouth to muffle any sound, only her trembling shoulders betraying her grief.
The next day, Callan went to another hospital for exchange, taking only Rayna Mills among his interns.[]
During her week–long stay, interns constantly came to her bedside–saying Callan chose Rayna just to take her out for fun, took her to fancy restaurants, to trendy photo spots. Things he’d never done with Frost.]
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Chapter 2
She remained silent through it all, but her heart felt ready to tear apart. Finally, resignation flickered in her eyes.[]
Callan, I’m setting you free…]
After discharge, she went straight to the Reid estate.
She was ending their engagement![]
