Chapter 18
Candace’s fierce response ignited a media firestorm. News outlets everywhere ran photos of Shawn collapsing and being rushed to the hospital. The internet went wild.
“Holy shit. Who the hell is this Zayne guy? How dare he steal Mr. Hamilton’s woman? Does he have a death wish?”
“Look, Mr. Hamilton was pretty awful for mistaking Yelena for his girlfriend, but Candace announcing her engagement to publicly humiliate him is just brutal. You know he’s been a wreck these past two years. He’s drinking himself stupid and crying every night. Poor guy!”
“Ever since Mr. Hamilton got his memory back, he’s been in complete denial about his beloved being dead. The guy’s been obsessively searching for her everywhere like he’s lost his mind.
“He still wears those sneakers she bought him, no matter where he goes. They’re so worn out that there are literal holes in the bottom, but he refuses to get new ones. Talk about being heartbroken and devoted!”
“Mr. Hamilton started Lily Foundation to help people with memory loss reconnect with their loved ones, just because Candace loved lilies. That kind of generosity is truly remarkable.”
“God, Candace used to love Shawn so much! She tried everything to help him recover his memory for eight whole years, even when people called her pathetic. It looks like Mr. Hamilton broke her heart so badly that she refuses to look back!”
“Wait. Isn’t Zayne some kind of medical genius? He’s Professor Liam Ashford’s star student!
“He’s under 30 and already a chief physician at a top–tier hospital. Rich family, gorgeous looks. He’s the whole package!”
Candace’s eyes lit up as
she replied to that comment. “That’s right! Dr. Pearson isn’t just handsome. He’s amazing at basketball too!”
The comment section immediately went wild.
“Oh my God! The main character herself is responding to me. Looks like Candace really is into Dr. Pearson!”
“Something’s fishy here. Dr. Pearson comes from money, and he’s prime bachelor material. So why would he go for a divorced woman with a kid? There’s definitely more to this story!”
Curious netizens quickly dug up that they were college classmates and found old photos of her attending Zayne’s basketball games. One particular shot captured the exact moment Zayne scored and looked toward Candace in the stands. The golden sunset bathed him in a soft, ethereal glow.
She showed Zayne the photo, her voice bright with excitement. “Zayne, look at this picture! The way we’re gazing at each other across the distance is so romantic!”
“Yeah, it’s beautiful.”
Zayne gently ruffled her hair, teasing with a smile. “Very much like the main leads in a love story.”
Candace traced her finger over the golden–lit figure in the photo. She said softly, “Actually, the day I was hemorrhaging during childbirth and heard Shawn tell me to step aside for Yelena, I lost all will to live.
“But I could hear you calling my name over and over. You pulled me back from the brink of death.”
She took Zayne’s hand and said earnestly, “Zayne, you saved me and gave me the strength to build a new life. I’m so lucky we met, fell for each other, and got to be together.”
They gazed at each other quietly. Zayne’s dark eyes gradually filled with tears as he gently pulled her into his arms.
He said in a choking voice, Candace, I almost lost you that day. Every time I think about it,
I…”
11
He struggled to push down the grief in his heart and managed a bright smile. “I never knew that healing people and saving lives could bring such good karma. It allowed me to save the woman I love and be with her day and night, never to be separated again.
“I’m just happy I finally found my happiness with you.”
Candace raised her hand to wipe away the tears at the corners of his eyes. “Alright. There’s no need to be sad now. You can do what fiances are supposed
to do.”
His kiss warmed her skin, tender and gentle. She closed her eyes and lost herself in it without pulling away.
Just as they were kissing deeply, the urgent sound of a phone ringing interrupted them. Candace looked at the incoming number, her expression changing slightly as she picked up.
“Hello? Lucia?”
Chapter 19
