Chapter 3
740words
So each time he returned home, he was forced to dedicate three hours to meeting potential wives.
Grace had pulled every possible string to squeeze me into one of these matchmaking slots.
I had barely sat down, mouth open to explain my situation, when Kevin's smile caught me off guard.
His unusual golden hair framed a face so perfectly sculpted it seemed almost feminine in its beauty.
For a moment, I glimpsed my thirteen-year-old self in him.
A face with lingering baby fat, covered in expensive makeup with deliberately dyed golden hair—beauty that money had bought.
Compared to Kevin's natural elegance, my manufactured beauty had been a pale imitation.
"Dr. Pierce, I'm Claire Sanders. I apologize for the deception. I'm not actually here for matchmaking—it's about my mother's condition…"
"Well, one forced meeting is as good as another, I suppose. But if all my mother's setups looked like you, Miss Sanders, I might not mind so much. Has anyone ever mentioned how striking your eyes are?"
As I've aged, my looks have faded to ordinary, but my amber eyes still draw compliments.
I ignored his flirtation, pulled out a thick folder of medical records, and slid them across the table.
Dr. Pierce didn't even glance at the folder, just sipped his coffee and smiled charmingly.
"How thorough—you even brought financial statements. No need to verify your assets though; my mother only approves candidates from suitable backgrounds."
Great. Apparently being too handsome comes with a brain cell deficit.
I took a deep breath. "Dr. Pierce, I actually had a medical consultation scheduled with you at 6 PM, but a family emergency came up. If you could please just look at my mother's records? She's been in a coma for three years following a car accident. Please, I'm desperate."
Kevin Pierce's smile dimmed slightly. "I can certainly do that, but I don't see why it should interrupt our date."
I stared at him, dumbfounded. Was this genius surgeon's brain solely focused on dating?
"Dr. Pierce, I've been married for three years."
Kevin Pierce's hand paused briefly over the records. "At my age, my family is becoming less picky. A previous marriage wouldn't be a dealbreaker."
I nearly choked on my own breath. Was this world-renowned neurosurgeon actually brain-damaged?
"Haha, forgive me. I'm told my sense of humor needs work. I'm just teasing, Miss Sanders. Come on, I have time now—let's go see your mother."
Overwhelmed with relief, I hugged him impulsively—a habit from my years abroad where physical expressions of gratitude were normal.
Kevin Pierce, also accustomed to Western customs, seemed to enjoy my gratitude a bit too much, pulling me into an uncomfortably tight embrace.
I had to practically pry myself away, nearly ready to scream for security.
The drive to the hospital was painfully awkward, and I couldn't bring myself to speak.
The sudden ring of Kevin's phone cut through the silence like a knife.
"Mrs. Lee saw everything! You were embracing that young lady so intimately—this must be serious! Son, all I want before I die is for you to marry a nice Chinese girl and give me pure-blooded grandchildren. Since you're rarely home, I've asked Mrs. Lee to arrange a meeting with her parents to discuss wedding arrangements."
My hands began to shake on the steering wheel.
"No need for Mrs. Lee to make arrangements. I'm actually on my way to meet her mother right now."
My mind was racing with questions, but I desperately needed his help, so I kept quiet.
"Wonderful, wonderful! My son is finally settling down. You young people move so fast these days. If you're certain, go ahead and get the marriage certificate first!"
"That's not possible yet. Miss Sanders isn't divorced. Perhaps we should just hold the ceremony first and book the reception venue?"
I slammed on the brakes so hard that Kevin's phone flew to the floor, his mother's hysterical voice still audible.
"Have you lost your mind? Is this some kind of sick joke? When you bring this woman to your welcome dinner tonight, I'll evaluate her myself, or so help me I'll burn every diploma you've ever earned!"
Apparently his inappropriate humor wasn't reserved just for me.
Whatever. As long as he could help my mother.
I forced a tight smile. "We've arrived, Dr. Pierce. Shall we?"
