Hearts in Turmoil

Chapter 2: The Morning After

The next day, Lily Zhao was in a lot of pain and had difficulty walking.

She'd never done this before, but last night, after a few drinks, she'd kept going with Ethan Li even when it hurt.

The pain was too much to bear, so she took some time off from school and went to the hospital.

She hadn't expected to bump into Ethan there.

He and a few colleagues got on the elevator at the same time, but they didn't acknowledge her.

Lily stood quietly in the corner, listening in on the occasional medical term they tossed around. Ethan replied to them in an indifferent manner.

Daniel, seemingly unaware of Lily's presence, inquired of Ethan, "What's the status with you and your girlfriend?"

"We broke up."

"Such an exceptional girl, and you let her go," Daniel said, shaking his head. "You went to a lot of effort to win her over." Was it because she was abroad? "Do you find long-distance relationships difficult?"

Lily listened closely, but Ethan didn't say another word. She hesitated, then looked up just in time to see him glance at her, but he didn't say anything.

He looked away without saying anything, his gaze lingering for only a moment.

Lily took a moment to collect her thoughts before speaking up. "Dr. Li," she said.

Her voice got everyone's attention, and they all looked between her and Ethan.

Ethan replied in a calm manner, "Do you want to see a doctor?"

"I just wanted to check in about last night…" Lily's cheeks flushed as she explained, "I've just got a bit of an injury."

It seemed like Ethan understood. He carried on as if he were just going through the usual steps in the patient inquiry process. "What caused the injury?"

It was his…

Lily was at a loss for words, her mind blank, unsure if he was joking.

Ethan said, "Let's go to my office." I'm off duty, so I can take care of it.

She gave a nod. Visiting the hospital for this kind of issue was awkward enough. Ethan should take responsibility for what he caused.

But when he gave her the medicine, Lily felt a little embarrassed.

At one point, he misjudged the method and Lily let out a yelp of pain.

Ethan paused, looking at her calmly and without any expression.

Lily realised her voice had sounded a bit too flirtatious, so she quickly changed the subject. "Dr Li, could you tell me how I should pay for the treatment?"

“No need.” He stepped aside, his tone detached. “It’s done.”

"Oh." What would normally have taken all afternoon was now done in minutes, freeing up her time to go home and rest.

As Lily was about to leave, she suddenly remembered something. "Dr. Li, could I get your WeChat details?"

As she was saying this, a nurse came into the room carrying something. "Dr. Li, I brought you some fruit."

Ethan thanked the nurse and turned back to Lily, replying coolly, "We're not friends or relatives – we're just doctor and patient." There's no need to exchange WeChat details.

The nurse, hearing this, shot a look of disdain at Lily before leaving the room.

Lily got it. She just wanted him to transfer the money for the medicine via WeChat – she didn't want to get into any personal ties. The whole thing was awkward enough last night.

Jason was in the way, and what had happened was just absurd.

Now sober, Lily deeply regretted it.

As Lily walked out, she saw Grace waiting for her.

As soon as they met, Grace said, "Ethan works here."

Lily responded, "You're really keeping tabs on him?"

"Don't just blame me." What woman wouldn't take a second look at him? "Apart from being hard to please, he's perfect."

Lily had to agree. The nurses at the hospital and the women who had glanced at him when they entered his office all said he was very attractive and very popular. After all, she was attracted to him because of his looks last night.

If it had been someone less attractive, no matter how drunk she was, she wouldn't have let things go that far – especially given her usually well-behaved nature.

"But all men grow up eventually." Don't be fooled by his current indifference – he must've been hopelessly in love once," Grace said with conviction.

Lily thought of Ethan's calm demeanour in the elevator when he said "we broke up," and for some reason, she felt like there was a storm brewing beneath that calm exterior.

"I think so too," she replied.

Grace leaned in with a mischievous grin and said, "I think Ethan's interested in you."

Lily didn't reply.

"Do you remember that party you went to with Jason? You wore that really sexy, short dress. "His gaze travelled from your legs all the way up to your face, without a hint of expression," Grace teased. "Isn't that a bit improper for a man to stare at his brother's girlfriend like that?"

The seemingly innocent remark got Lily thinking.

Grace's words made it seem like Ethan had never really seen her as just his cousin's girlfriend. But the real issue was that Jason didn't value her enough, which is why those around him didn't take her seriously.

Lily's heart was racing, and she suddenly realised that even though she'd initiated the breakup, she'd been played. She should have gone home to rest, but she couldn't help herself and turned back to Ethan's office. She must have interrupted him; his expression showed clear displeasure, though he said nothing out of politeness.