THE DOCTOR'S SECRET WIFE

Chapter One — The Woman He Couldn't Forget Maya had always believed that love was supposed to feel safe. Then she met Dr. Adrian Black. It was almost midnight when Maya rushed through the emergency department of Blackwood Hospital, carrying a tray of medical supplies. She had been working there for only two months, but everyone already knew one rule: Never get on Dr. Adrian Black's bad side. He was the hospital's most brilliant surgeon, but his reputation had little to do with his medical skills. Adrian was cold. Unapproachable. And impossible to read. Women constantly found excuses to visit his office, but he never seemed interested in any of them. Until Maya. That night, she accidentally walked into the wrong operating room. Adrian was standing beside the surgical table, still wearing his gloves. His eyes immediately found hers. “Maya.” She froze. “You know my name?” “I know everyone's name who works under me.” His voice was calm, but his stare lingered on her for a second longer than necessary. Maya looked away. “I'm sorry, Doctor. I brought the wrong supplies.” “Come here.” She hesitated. “Doctor?” “I said come here.” She walked toward him. Adrian took the tray from her hands. Their fingers briefly touched. It was nothing. It should have been nothing. Yet Maya felt an unexpected flutter in her chest. Adrian seemed to notice. His eyes lowered briefly to her hand before returning to her face. “You're nervous around me.” “No, I'm not.” “You're lying.” Maya frowned. “You're arrogant.” Something unexpected happened. Adrian smiled. It was small. Almost invisible. But it was the first time she had ever seen him smile. And somehow, that frightened her more than his coldness. “Go home,” he said. Maya turned toward the door. “Maya.” She looked back. “Be careful on your way home.” She nodded. That should have been the end of it. But the next morning, Maya found a small white envelope on her desk. Inside was a single sentence. Stay away from Adrian Black. She immediately looked around. Nobody seemed to be watching. Then another note appeared later that afternoon. He doesn't love women. He owns them. Maya should have been afraid. Instead, she found herself wondering who could possibly hate Adrian enough to send her warnings. That evening, she was leaving the hospital when Adrian appeared beside her. “You received something.” Maya's heart skipped. “How do you know?” “I know everything that happens inside my hospital.” He held out his hand. “Give it to me.” Maya hesitated before handing him the note. Adrian read it. His expression changed. “Who else has seen this?” “No one.” He folded the paper and put it inside his coat. “From now on, you don't leave this hospital alone.” Maya stared at him. “You can't order me around.” “I can.” “Why?” Adrian stepped closer. For a moment, the cold doctor disappeared. His voice became softer. “Because I don't want anything to happen to you.” Maya's heart beat faster. “Why do you care?” He stared at her for several seconds. “That's the problem.” “What is?” Adrian's eyes darkened. “I care too much.” Before Maya could respond, his phone rang. He answered. A few seconds later, he looked at her. “We need to talk.” “About what?” Adrian lowered his phone. “About the fact that someone has been watching you for three weeks.” Maya's blood ran cold. “Three weeks?” He nodded. “And there's something else.” “What?” Adrian looked directly into her eyes. “The person watching you isn't interested in hurting you.” He paused. “They're waiting for you to become my wife.” Who was watching Maya, and why did they want her tied to Adrian Black? ---