Lilian Campbell was hurt.

Not that getting injured was newsworthy, but the spot where she got hurt... let’s just say, it was mortifying.

"Sophie, maybe we should just go home. I really don’t think it’s that bad."

Lilian tried her best to walk normally, pretending like everything was fine. But just when they were about to step into the exam room, she chickened out again. "What if it’s a male doctor? That’s just... super awkward!"

“Come on, Lilian. It’s fifty-fifty, man or woman. Doctors see all kinds of stuff every day—it’s literally their job. It’s not like he’s gonna think anything weird. Don’t be so dramatic.”

“I’m fine, really… it’s just... I fell and bumped into something.”

She seriously couldn’t bring herself to say where exactly. What if the doctor asked how it happened? How was she supposed to explain that? Would he give her that awkward ‘oh I see’ look?

Lilian swallowed nervously and instinctively took a step back, half-ready to bolt.Sophie Bennett grabbed Lilian Campbell’s arm without warning. “Lilian, seriously, you’re already here, and I’ve got the appointment booked. The doctor checking you out today? He’s *the* top surgeon in the city. Young, already a professor. Did you see the crowd around the registration area earlier? Everyone wants his slot. If I didn’t have connections, we wouldn’t have gotten it either.”

“So you’re saying… the doctor’s a… guy?” Lilian looked like she wanted to vanish into thin air.

“Oh come on. Male or female, doesn’t matter. He’s a doctor, not your blind date. He’ll check your injury, and then poof—gone from your life. What’s there to fuss about? And don’t forget, this whole thing? My grandma’s orders. She made me swear to get your results. If you bail now, how am I supposed to go home and face her?”

Seeing her still hesitate, Sophie hooked both arms around Lilian’s and half-dragged her to the waiting area outside the exam room.

The nurse on duty had a gentle smile and a calm presence. The fact that she was a woman eased Lilian’s anxiety a bit.

“Lilian Campbell?”

“That’s me.”

“What seems to be the problem?”

“I…” Lilian hesitated, biting her lip. “I got hurt.”

“Where exactly did you get hurt?” The nurse asked, all professional.

Lilian’s throat tightened in embarrassment. “I… um…”

Sophie couldn’t take it anymore and just blurted it out. “She hurt herself down there!”

“Down there?” The nurse looked confused and threw a quick glance at Lilian.Lilian Campbell's face felt like it was on fire. She bit her lip, too embarrassed to say a word.

Sophie Bennett was just as awkward, struggling to describe the... unfortunate spot without being too blunt. Eventually, she resorted to pointing vaguely between Lilian's legs.

The nurse caught on quickly and gave them a look that screamed, “Ohhh, that place!”

Lilian felt like her face was about to explode from embarrassment.

The nurse added, "Yeah, injuries like that? Not our department. This is neurology. Looks like you checked into the wrong clinic."

Lilian’s brain practically short-circuited. She grabbed Sophie’s arm, muttering, “Forget it. Let’s just go home.”

“Hold on! We’re already here. Why can’t they check that area? It’s got nerves too, right? And besides, I came for the top specialist! What if it messes with her nerves or muscles? Might ruin her baby-making future. That’d be tragic!”

Sophie clung to Lilian, determined not to let her escape while firmly arguing with the nurse.

Lilian could barely handle hearing that. She wished the ground would swallow her whole.

Oh my god. Just let her disappear. She was so done with this.

“Let her in,” someone finally said.Just when the nurse looked stuck, a super pleasant male voice came from the exam room.

"Okay, Dr. Harrison," the nurse replied politely, then stood up and said, "Please follow me."

It really was a male doctor!

Lilian Campbell’s eyes went wide in shock. She spun around, ready to bolt.

But Sophie Bennett was faster. She grabbed her and shoved her straight into the room, even closing the door behind her.

Inside, the young male doctor was focused on a CT scan. Without looking up, he casually pointed to the exam bed. "Hop on and pull your pants down."

Oh no...

Lilian turned to flee again, but the door was already shut, and Sophie was standing guard outside. No way to escape.

The doctor was still studying the image, holding the film up in front of him. Lilian didn’t get a good look at his face, but that voice—so familiar. She just couldn’t place it.

Whatever!

She was already here.

Might as well get it over with, for Grandma Bennett’s peace of mind—and honestly, the pain wasn’t kidding around.

Sophie had a point. After this, they’d never see each other again anyway. Nothing to be embarrassed about. Just suck it up for a minute and be done with it.She took a deep breath, like someone about to charge into battle, walked into the exam room, climbed straight onto the bed, and yanked down her pants in one go. Then she smacked a hand over her face.

Outta sight, outta mind. Cover your face, maybe no one will recognize you later anyway.

With her eyes clamped shut, her hearing kicked into overdrive.

Someone came in. Her heart went into overdrive too. The thought of lying there, all exposed like this, made her body tremble with sheer embarrassment.

“In cases like this, per regulations, a male doctor examining a female patient has to have a third party present.”

The man's voice was low and calm, with a smoothness that beat any radio host. But the second he said that, Lilian Campbell felt her heart seize up.

Wait, a *third* person?

Seriously? How many people were gonna get front-row seats to her most awkward moment?

She couldn't help picturing those dramatic TV scenes—eyes open, whole squad of interns staring right between her legs like it was some live anatomy class!

She felt the urge to bolt. Again.

Before she could move, though, an ice-cold gloved hand suddenly touched the injured spot.

She flinched hard.

It didn’t hurt—it was more like a jolt of static that shot right up to her scalp.Since she could remember, that part of her body had never been touched by a man. And today? Just like that, a male doctor—not only looked—he touched it.

Sure, his hands were gloved, but still! That definitely counted as contact, right?

Lilian Campbell clenched her teeth, frantically convincing herself that this was just a routine exam. Totally professional. Completely normal.

"I knew it was you. Legally speaking, there's no need for us to avoid each other. That’s why I didn’t ask anyone else to come in—I figured having a third person here might make you even more uncomfortable."

Wait, what? He knew who she was?

Lilian’s heart skipped a beat.

Legally don’t need to avoid each other? What does that even—

Hold on a sec!

His voice… why was it sounding more and more familiar?

She stared, eyes wide open, still covering her face with her hands but peeking through her fingers.

He was in a crisp white lab coat, standing tall and proper. His surgical mask hid most of his face, but those striking eyebrows and deep, captivating eyes were hard to ignore. His long lashes curved down, giving him a gentle, somber look. And right now, his gaze was fixed...

He touched her again.

Lilian nearly fell off the exam bed.

They’d only met once, and he was wearing a mask, but there was no mistake. The man examining her most private area was none other than her flash-marriage husband—Ethan Harrison.