"What are you doing here?" Estelle froze at the hospital entrance.
Dranred stood by his car, a bouquet in his hand, waiting. When he saw her, his face lit up, and he hurried toward her.
"I waited for you," he said, holding out the flowers. "These are for you."
"I don't need flowers," Estelle replied coldly. "And you shouldn't be here. It's not a good look." She stepped past him, but before she could take another step, he caught her arm.
Estelle stiffened, her eyes flashing toward his hand. "Let go of me," she said quietly. "I told you — what exists between us now is only work. Keep it professional, Mr. Masterson."
"I know what you said," Dranred answered, ignoring her warning. "But I don't believe it. I saw your eyes, Estelle. There's still something there. Are you really doing this because of James? Because of what he told you?"
"You think too highly of yourself," she snapped, pulling her arm free. "This isn't about James. Our relationship ended the moment you chose to protect your grandfather instead of telling the truth. You didn't just lie — you turned your back on everything we had."
He flinched but stepped closer. "We can fix this. We still love each other. I know we—"
"I don't love you anymore."
The words cut through the air like glass.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, Estelle saw Bryan coming out of the hospital. Panic rushed through her chest. She knew what she was about to do was wrong — but it was the only way to end this once and for all.
"I already love someone else," she said, voice steady but trembling underneath. "And we're getting married soon."
Before Dranred could respond, she turned, walked straight to Bryan — and kissed him.
Bryan froze, startled, while behind them, Dranred stood motionless, the bouquet slipping from his hand and scattering petals across the pavement.
"Please don't push me away," Estelle whispered, pulling back just enough to meet Bryan's eyes.
Bryan glanced past her — and there he was. Dranred stood near his car, still holding the bouquet. In that instant, everything made sense.
"It's okay," Bryan murmured, his tone gentle but firm. "I'll never push you away."
He slid an arm around her waist and began walking toward Dranred, each step deliberate.
"We meet again, Mr. Masterson," Bryan said coolly. His eyes flicked to the flowers in Dranred's hand. "A word of advice: it doesn't look good when a man keeps following someone who clearly doesn't want him around. And personally—" his gaze hardened, "—I don't like it when another man takes an interest in what's mine."
Dranred's jaw tightened. His eyes burned — not with anger, but with hurt — as he looked past Bryan to Estelle.
"In the future," Bryan continued evenly, "I'd appreciate it if you kept your distance from Estelle. It's improper for a bachelor like you to chase someone who's already engaged."
Estelle lifted her eyes to meet Dranred's. For a second, neither spoke. She didn't know why Bryan was going along with her lie — but in that moment, she was grateful. Somehow, his presence steadied her.
"Let's go," Bryan said quietly, guiding her toward his car.
Dranred stood frozen, watching them walk away. The flowers slipped from his hand, the petals scattering at his feet. His throat ached as memories began to surface — laughter, dreams, long nights of planning a future that would never come.
He had once dreamed of standing beside Estelle, of building a life together.
He had dreamed of playing baseball with James, of chasing greatness.
But all of that was gone now — burned away by secrets, guilt, and cowardice.
He had thought that protecting his grandfather's name would make things right.
Instead, it had cost him everything.
As Estelle's car disappeared down the road, Dranred looked down at the crushed bouquet in his hand. He wanted to run after her, to tell her he still loved her. But all he could do was stand there — silent, broken, and alone.
"Thank you for saving me," Estelle said softly. "This is the second time."
Bryan smiled faintly as he guided her to a seat at the restaurant. "I told you — I have my own reasons for helping you." He flipped open the menu.
"About that…" Estelle hesitated. "Can I ask what those reasons are? I mean, we're not exactly close. Of all the doctors in the hospital, you're probably the most—"
"The son of the hospital chairman?" Bryan cut in, lowering his menu with a teasing smirk. "Does that bother you?"
"I'd be lying if I said it didn't. Every single nurse and doctor in that hospital seems to have a crush on you," she said, half-laughing. "But really, thank you — for everything you've done."
"They only chase me because I'm the chairman's son," Bryan said lightly. "I suppose I'm a good catch, though."
Estelle glanced up, caught off guard by his tone. He didn't sound arrogant — just amused. She'd never heard him talk about his family or status before. In the hospital, he was always serious, focused. Dedicated. Maybe that was why people admired him.
"I may be the chairman's son," he went on, "and yes, maybe people… fantasize about me." His voice dropped, playful but sincere. "But I've noticed something. You're not one of them."
Estelle blinked. "What do you mean?"
"You've always treated me as just another doctor. Nothing more," Bryan said, meeting her gaze. "Until that superstar basketball player showed up — then suddenly, it's like you both got tangled in something." He paused, studying her. "Tell me… am I really that invisible to you?"
She smiled, shaking her head. "No. It's not that you're not attractive. It's just—"
"Your heart can only see him," he finished quietly. "What a lucky jerk."
Estelle looked at him, startled. There was no anger in his tone — just a quiet, wistful envy.
"Sorry," he said quickly, looking down at his glass. "I couldn't help it. You're one of the best nurses we have. The way you care for your patients — it's… rare."
She blushed before she could stop herself. "Is that a compliment, Doctor?"
Bryan smiled. "You can take it however you want."
And for a moment, the noise of the restaurant faded. The heaviness of her day lifted, replaced by something warm — fragile, unexpected.
"It is," Bryan said with a small smile. "I really admire you, you know. You have a sister with a disability, and yet here you are — still taking care of her, when most people your age are busy building families of their own."
Estelle looked down at her glass. "I only have my brother and sister. They're my family. I could never turn my back on them."
"Is that why you're avoiding that basketball superstar?" he asked gently.
Her gaze hardened. "We share a long, twisted past. He's part of a life I'm trying to forget — a life I had to move on from."
"But he still seems to care about you," Bryan said.
"I just don't want anything that has to do with him," Estelle replied.
Bryan leaned back in his chair, studying her for a long moment. "Then maybe… since we've started this whole dating façade, why don't we take it to the next level?"
She blinked. "I don't think I understand."
He smiled faintly. "You want to distance yourself from your past, right? What if I offered you a way out?"
Estelle's brows furrowed. "Why would you do that? You don't seem like someone who does things without reason."
"You're right," he admitted. "I hate getting tangled up in complicated situations. But lately, my life has been nothing but complicated. My family expects me to get married — to continue the Sandoval name. They've been setting up marriage interviews with women I've never even met. I'm tired of it, Estelle. I don't want a life chosen for me."
"So… you're saying you'd help me by offering yourself as my escape? Are you implying I should pretend to be your—"
"Wife," Bryan interrupted softly.
"What?" Estelle almost dropped her fork.
"It's a marriage of convenience," he explained calmly. "You'll finally be free from the man and the past you're trying to forget. And I can stop my family from forcing me into something I don't want. It's… timely, don't you think? No strings, no emotions — just two people helping each other survive."
He paused, his eyes gentle but firm. "I know you have obligations to your sister. I'll continue to help her. Even the surgery — I'll take care of it."
Estelle looked at him, speechless. "So this is what you meant by having ulterior motives."
"Yes," Bryan said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "But I think it's a fair deal. You escape your past. I escape my future. And your sister gets what she deserves. All I ask… is that you marry me — and pretend to be my wife."
"Marriage isn't a game, Dr. Sandoval."
"I know," he said quietly. "That's why I'm asking the best person I could possibly choose. We both need a way out. That makes us a perfect match."
Estelle hesitated, her heart pounding. "I'll think about it."
"Take your time," Bryan said. "I'll be waiting for your answer."
As he smiled at her — calm, patient, almost tender — Estelle couldn't help but think how strange it was. That someone like him, so admired, so composed, could also be someone running away from the life he was born into.