Chapter 1
This was the 33rd time Rachel Hudson and Benjamin Garza’s wedding had been postponed–this time because she was hit by a car the night before the ceremony.
She suffered 19 fractures and survived three brushes with death in the ICU before her condition finally stabilized.
When her body felt strong enough, she got out of bed, braced herself against the wall, and tried to walk down the hallway. As she reached the corner, she overheard her fiancé, Benjamin, talking to a friend.
a near–drowning.
“Last time it was a near–drowning, this time a car crash. The wedding is now delayed another two months. What’s the plan for next time?”
At those words, every drop of blood in Rachel’s body seemed to freeze.
Benjamin stood in his white coat, idly twirling his phone between his fingers. His voice was calm and detached as he said, “There won’t be a
next time.”
His friend sounded surprised. “So you’re really going to marry Rachel? What about that intern of yours, Angelina Ortega?”
“When little Rachel moved in with us, my father told me to take good care of her, for she would be my wife one day. I’ve been a caring partner for so long that it has become second nature. But then I met Angie.” Benjamin’s eyes lit up. “She doesn’t come from much, but she’s the toughest, most hardworking woman I’ve ever met. I was instantly drawn to her.”
“If you like Angelina that much, just go after her then,” the friend said,
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baffled.
Benjamin fell silent for a few seconds before lowering his gaze. “Rachel’s mother once saved my family. I’m obligated to repay her by looking after Rachel. The 33 delays were all my resistance to that obligation, but I’ve finally accepted it. As for Angie, simply being near her is enough for me.”
Each word cut into Rachel like a blade. She leaned against the wall, struggling to stay upright.
Her face itched. When she touched it, her fingers came away wet with
tears.
She couldn’t bear to listen anymore. She stumbled back to her ward, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Never once had it crossed her mind that all 33 “accidents” were orchestrated by Benjamin.
The first time, she was caught in a street fight and stabbed.
The second time, she was bitten by a snake in their garden and nearly died from the venom.
The third time, she fell during a hike he took her on, ending up in the ICU for two weeks.
And so it went, one disaster after another, all because he didn’t want to marry her.
Their engagement had been set when Rachel was ten. Back then, the Garza family was under investigation and facing prison. Her mother, Wendy Hudson, their accountant, took the blame for everything and saved them from ruin.
In gratitude to Wendy, Benjamin’s grandfather took Rachel in and
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arranged her engagement to Benjamin, promising her a stable future.
Benjamin and everyone else in the Garza family showered her with kindness and affection. They supported her in all her endeavors–even the band that high society scoffed at.
Rachel once believed with all her heart that Benjamin’s kindness was an act of love. In truth, it was merely duty, and his heart already belonged to someone else.
The ache in her chest grew sharper, and even her healing wounds flared. with pain.
Ten minutes later, Benjamin walked in to change her dressings. He paused when he noticed her swollen eyes. “What’s wrong? Your injuries. acting up again?”
Seeing his expression of concern only made that single word “obligation” echo louder in her mind. Her chest tightened even more.
Because her nerves were unusually sensitive, even wound care required
anesthesia.
Benjamin reached for the syringe, but just then his phone rang. He set the syringe down and answered.
Rachel’s gaze drifted to the cartoon charm dangling from his phone, and a memory came flooding back.
When her band won its first competition, every member received a little charm as one of the rewards. Still excited, she gave hers to Benjamin, but he simply tossed it into a drawer without a second glance.
“This is too childish,” he had said with a frown.
But now, the same cartoon charm Angelina owned was hanging from his
Chapter 1
phone. Each time it swung back and forth, it was a fresh stab to Rachel’s
heart.
Angelina’s voice on the phone broke the silence of the hospital room. “Dr. Garza, I’m calling about a patient I’m unsure what to do with. Could you come take a look?”
Benjamin was instantly radiant with joy.
“Of course. I’ll be right there,” he said, his tone cheerful.
She used to believe that his actions were just professional courtesy, but looking back now, she realized his affection had been evident all along.
Benjamin ended the call, reached past the anesthetic, and picked up the debridement tools.
A sharp wave of pain shot from the wound through Rachel’s entire body. She let out a muffled groan as dizziness overwhelmed her, and a cold. sweat soaked her body.
Her voice trembled. “Benjamin, you forgot the anesthetic…”
Benjamin’s hands didn’t falter. He absently murmured, “It’s better to do it this way. Anesthesia might weaken the medicine, so bear with the pain.
Rachel’s body convulsed. She gripped the bed sheet so tightly that her nails nearly ripped through the fabric.
Her voice cracked into a plea. “Please just give me the shot. It hurts too much.”
“Be good. It’s almost done,” he said, only quickening his pace.
A few minutes later, the debridement was done. Benjamin tossed the instruments onto the tray.
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Rachel had already collapsed onto the bed from the pain. As she lay there, she caught a glimpse of his hurried steps as he left.
The truth was, anesthesia never weakened the medicine. He simply wasn’t willing to wait a few minutes for it to kick in. He was eager to get to Angelina.
Rachel was heartbroken, tears slipping into the white sheets.
The pain kept burning through her body until everything went black–she passed out.
