Chapter 27 She Was Leaving the Country
The scene stung Wendy more than she’d expected.
“Ryan, don’t you remember me? I’m Wendy Hopkins–Ginny’s uni classmate. You used to come by our classroom all the time to look for her. We’ve met before.”
That had been years ago.
Ryan barely had time to sleep these days, let alone remember a random classmate of Ginny’s from who–knew–how–many years ago. And from the tone of Wendy’s voice, it was clear they hadn’t
been close.
He lived by a simple rule: if someone was good to Ginny, he’d treat them even better. If not, he didn’t waste the time.
“Dr. Hopkins,” he said with a nod, then turned to lead Ginny out for lunch.
But Wendy wasn’t about to let the moment slip away. She stepped forward with her phone in hand.
“Ryan, how about we exchange contacts? We already know each other, and I’m sure we’ll cross paths again.”
Just in case he planned to turn her down, she tried to cushion the request.
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Without even glancing her way, Ryan replied, “You and Ginny are both doctors. If I ever need one, I’ll just call her. And besides, we’re not close.”
With that, he took Ginny by the hand and walked right past her.
Wendy’s gaze clung to their backs, her jealousy swelling so fast it blurred everything else. Just then, a hotel staffer pushing a cart accidentally bumped into her. Already at her breaking point, Wendy snapped, cursing the server harshly.
When she looked up, her eyes landed on the security camera mounted on the ceiling. For a brief second, something calculating flickered in her gaze.
*****
“Melody, look–isn’t that Chandler’s wife?”
“I heard Professor Edward is a big deal. If she actually passed his lab’s exam, she must be pretty capable.”
Melody was having afternoon tea with her friend Denise Mallark when the latter spotted a video on Instagram showing Ginny during the exam.
Hearing the name, Melody quickly pulled out her phone to find the footage herself,
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Noticing the change in her expression, Denise tried to smooth things over. “This is good news, right?”
Melody shot her a look. “What’s so good about her shining like that?”
If Chandler saw the video, who knew what he’d start feeling for Ginny again?
Melody was already on edge, worried about him drifting away. And now Ginny had gone and stirred up this kind of attention- how was she supposed to feel secure?
“I heard Professor Edward’s lab is overseas,” Denise said casually. “If she’s in, she’ll have to move abroad. You said Chandler’s parents are desperate for a grandchild, right? Well, how’s she gonna give them one if she’s off in another country? And if you get pregnant first…”
The moment Denise’s meaning clicked, a flicker of anxiety passed across Melody’s face. But it disappeared as quickly as it came, replaced by satisfaction and a slow, growing smile.
XXXXX
Chandler had already heard the news–from the driver, no less.
Fuming, he dialed Ginny’s number immediately. “Who told you to take that exam? I already told you–I don’t want you in that lab. And I absolutely do not want you going abroad.”
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Chapter 27 She Was Leaving the Country Lucky Draw
Ginny let him rant, unfazed. She picked up her drink, took a sip, and kept eating.
He waited, expecting pushback–or at least an explanation. When she stayed silent, he barked,
“I’m coming home for dinner tonight.”
And hung up.
His voice had been loud enough for Ryan, sitting right across from her, to hear every word.
When the call ended, Ryan looked at her. “What if Chandler really doesn’t let you leave?”
“Then I’ll divorce him,” Ginny said, steady and sure.
After her shift ended that evening, Ginny was headed to the curb to hail a cab when she saw Chandler’s car parked outside the hospital.
She had no intention of getting in.
He got out, his face stormy, and grabbed her by the arm. “If you don’t want your coworkers to see us arguing in front of the hospital, get in the car.”
She hesitated, about to pull away, then noticed someone coming
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out of the building. She didn’t want to be gossip fodder.
With a sigh, she got in.
The ride home was silent. Ginny ignored every word he said.
Once they got inside, she slipped off her shoes and headed to her room when Chandler yanked her back.
He repeated what he’d said that afternoon. “If you don’t know how to tell Professor Edward no, I can call him myself.”
He reached for her phone.
She pulled away.
“Who do you think you are to make decisions for me? I’m not a child anymore. I wouldn’t have gone to that exam if I hadn’t thought it through. I’m joining Professor Edward’s lab. And I’m leaving the country.”
She looked him dead in the eye. There was a clarity in her gaze he had never seen before.
For a split second, Chandler felt something slipping away from him, fast and uncontrollable. He reached for it, but his hands
came up empty.
He hated that feeling.
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So he pulled her into his arms, ignoring her resistance.
“Just listen to me, okay? Don’t throw a tantrum. If Grandpa and Grandma find out about this, they’ll think we’re fighting.”
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