I Just Loved You

Director Williams, hearing Gianna’s assurance, finally relaxed.

“Alright. As long as Dr. Thompson agrees, the hospital has no objections.”

“Thank you, Director. I’ll make sure he agrees,” Gianna replied confidently as she took back her Médecins Sans Frontières application.

But as soon as she left the director’s office, she began to worry again.

Though she had spoken with conviction, convincing Steven to agree to her going abroad was going to be a challenge. After all, their wedding was only a month away.

There was a time when Gianna dreamed of marrying Steven, but now, she no longer wanted to.

Just a few days ago, they had discussed their wedding plans. Steven had said dismissively, “The hospital is so busy. Who has time for a wedding? Let’s just have a simple meal and register for the certificate—don’t think about these unnecessary things.”

That same evening, Gianna overheard him talking to Chloe on the balcony.

“Don’t worry, Chloe. I won’t have a wedding. As long as I don’t want it, no one can force me.”

It was then that Gianna realized the real reason he didn’t want a wedding—it was for Chloe’s sake.

The realization left her feeling hollow.

Their engagement felt like it had already ended before it even began.

She decided to leave the country to end things sooner.

But would Steven agree?

Frowning, Gianna mulled over the situation. Distracted, she didn’t notice where she was walking and bumped into a firm chest.

“Ow!”

She twisted her ankle and nearly fell, but a strong arm caught her around the waist just in time.

“What’s wrong with you? You're so distracted you didn’t even respond when I called you several times,” a low, magnetic voice interrupted her thoughts.

Even after three years together, Gianna still blushed during moments of close contact. Looking up at Steven’s composed face, she felt a twinge of discomfort. After all, she had just been plotting how to manipulate him into agreeing to her application. She didn't expect that she would run into him now.

“It’s nothing, just thinking about work at the hospital,” she replied, hiding the truth.

Steven raised an eyebrow, as though he sensed something was off, but he didn’t press her. Instead, he crouched down, rolling up her pant leg to check her ankle.

He pressed gently, and Gianna inhaled sharply in pain.

Without another word, Steven scooped her up effortlessly. “It’s a bad sprain. You’ll need to rest for a few days. Don’t walk too much in the meantime.”

Gianna squirmed uncomfortably in his arms, trying to get down.

“Put me down. If someone sees us, it’ll look bad.”

Steven ignored her protests and gave her a light slap on the hip. “Stop moving! You’re already hurt—stay still!”

But just as he carried her a few steps, his phone rang.

On the other end of the line, a cheerful female voice chirped, “Steven, are you at the hospital? I think I caught a cold and need my big doctor to take a look at me.”

As he listened, the usually aloof expression on Steven’s face softened with a faint smile.

Gianna sighed inwardly, beginning a mental countdown.

Sure enough, before she even reached ten, Steven set her down, seemingly anxious. “The hospital just called. A patient is waiting for me. It’s urgent,” he explained, though Gianna already knew better.