The early summer sun was warm, with a soft breeze blowing gently and the air filled with the sweet scent of gardenias.

A bright red taxi slowly pulled up in front of a private clinic.

Grace Summers glanced out at the central city hospital, then looked at Diane Weston beside her, hesitation clear on her face. "Aunt Diane, maybe I should just skip it? I’ll grab some meds myself and be fine..."

Diane took off her sunglasses, revealing her well-maintained, elegant face. “Relax, I already called ahead. Fifth floor, Dr. Lee. And he’s someone you’d totally want to see. I’ve got something urgent today, so I can’t go with you.”

“Someone I really want to see? Who could it be?” Ever since her parents had that accident, there weren’t many people Grace felt like meeting.

Diane flashed a cryptic smile. “I’d love to tell you too, but he insisted on keeping it a surprise. Go on now.”

“Okay then. Bye, Aunt Diane.”

Grace pulled on her sunglasses and mask, tugged the brim of her denim cap low, and snuck out of the car like she was doing something shady.

Not much choice—this kind of personal issue, if she ran into someone she knew, it’d be mortifying.

With a nervous flutter in her stomach, she entered the hospital lobby and got directions from a nurse to Dr. Lee’s office.

She pushed the door open, pulled out a chair, and sat across from the doctor.

“Hi, Dr. Lee. I’m here on Aunt Diane’s rec—” The words caught in her throat.

Sitting across from her was a stunning man. Sharp, sculpted features, almost too perfect. But his whole vibe was cold, like shut-you-down cold. Especially those eyes—like icy blades staring right through her.

Even with sunglasses on, Grace couldn’t stop the chill that ran down her spine.

Definitely the most intimidating doctor she’d ever laid eyes on.

Wait… Wasn’t this someone she was supposed to be dying to meet? But this walking iceberg? Never seen him before in her life.

“…” The guy said nothing, his face as expressionless as if he were carved from stone.

“I… I’m Grace Summers. Aunt Diane called you earlier, right?” Grace offered cautiously.

He was sitting here, so he had to be Dr. Lee.

“Grace Summers?”

James Lee’s deep gaze flickered slightly at the familiar name. His cold stare examined every inch of her oddly covered face.

What are the odds? She was called Grace Summers too?

“Yes.”

“Take off the sunglasses. And the mask.” His tone left no room for discussion.

Realizing it was rude to stay masked, Grace hurried to take them off.

The moment her freckled face was visible, a faint ripple passed through his icy eyes—gone in a blink.

He knew she wasn’t pretty, but seeing it in person was something else.

“What are your symptoms?”

“I… I’ve got some mild inflammation… kinda itchy… I just need some meds, really…”

“Go inside. You need an exam.”

“No, no, that’s okay! Just the meds are fine… actually, never mind, I’m heading out…” Grace’s face turned crimson. She shoved her sunglasses back on, rose from the chair, and made a beeline for the door.

Her nerves were already rock bottom—being examined by a guy for… that? Kill her now.

Thud!

Right at the door, she smacked straight into someone.

Stumbled back, and the other person shoved past her.

Her arm banged into a piece of equipment in the corner—sharp sting immediately flaring up.

Looking down, she saw her T-shirt sleeve torn and a smear of blood soaking in.

Her temper flared, but the moment she clocked who’d just come in, she froze.

A guy and a girl. The girl nestled into the guy’s arms, and he had his arm around her waist. No mistaking them for anything but a couple.

“Dr. Lee, my girlfriend’s pregnant, but her stomach… Wait, what? Uncle James? What are you doing here?”