Chapter 1 Valeria Neal never thought she would see Sebastian Grant again . That day , she had taken her six - year - old daughter , Selena Neal , to the hospital for a checkup . Her daughter had a congenital heart condition and required regular checkups . However , the moment she pushed open the door to the consultation room , she froze in place . Sebastian was standing there , focused on the computer screen . He wore a pair of rimless glasses and had a white coat on . His features looked cool and elegant , and he radiated a noble , distant air . Valeria felt the color drain from her face in an instant . Selena had been coming for these heart check - ups regularly . Today , she'd booked a consultation with Shawn Gordon , the hospital specialist . However , since Shawn was away for an urgent consultation , the nurse suggested she switch to another doctor . The nurse had said that this doctor studied overseas for his PhD , and was one of Shawn's most talented students . Now , Valeria stood in the doorway rigidly , and her fingers gripped the door handle tightly . In a flurry , she pulled a mask over her face . At that moment , there was only one thought in her mind , which was to take her daughter and leave . Seven years . When did he return to the country ? Her life had been calm and uneventful , so she never imagined she'd run into Sebastian again . It felt like her entire being was shattering , and she didn't know how to react . She instinctively clutched Selena's hand . Her palm was damp with sweat , and her back was trembling slightly from the tension . Just then , he said in a clear voice , " Come in . " Sebastian looked up and through the door . His eyes , through his lenses , seemed faintly distant . The instant their eyes met , Valeria felt her breathing falter . At 28 , he seemed so similar , yet so different from the memory of the 21 - year - old man in the white shirt she once knew . He used to be out of everyone's league at their university , yet he had secretly dated a woman who weighed 167 pounds . She forced herself to meet his gaze and clenched her teeth hard . Even her instinct to turn and leave with her daughter didn't stop her from freezing in place . Sebastian's dark eyes remained calm as he lightly tapped his fingers on the desk . " Selena Neal , right ? Let me take a look at the medical records . " Valeria managed to regain her composure , though she still remained pale . She reached up and felt the mask covering her face , which gave her a fragile sense of control . He hadn't recognized her . She was now called Valeria Neal and no longer Jane Carlson from seven years ago . She was no longer that overweight woman . Now , at five feet seven , she weighed barely over a hundred pounds . Selena went forward and sat in the chair , letting Sebastian listen to her heart . As he leaned closer , Valeria glanced at him . That faint coldness he radiated was something strangely familiar yet foreign . She subconsciously pressed her hand on Selena's shoulder . Out of the corner of her eye , her gaze fell on Sebastian's face . He wore rimless glasses and had a refined , gentle appearance . Underneath the white coat was a high - quality white shirt . As Sebastian listened to Selena's heart , he furrowed his brows slightly and said , " Pay more attention to her daily condition . It would be best to prepare for surgery within the next two or three years . You're aware of the cost , right ? " Sebastian's gaze drifted to Valeria's arm , which held a black leather bag with worn handles . Her white canvas shoes were scuffed , and her jeans were faded . With her plain appearance , it seemed unlikely the steep cost of surgery was something she could easily afford . Scenes like this were common in hospitals , but for some reason , he found himself giving her a second look . She was slender , tall , and had pale skin . Her mask and low ponytail made her look youthful , but her daughter was already six years old . The woman lowered her eyes , avoiding his gaze . She stood behind her daughter as still and quiet as a statue . The large mask covered her face , leaving only her downcast eyes visible . Sebastian frowned slightly , thinking she had been expecting Shawn and was disappointed with his youth . So , he continued , " If you have concerns about my diagnosis , I can transfer your case to Pediatrics . You and your daughter can consult with Dr. Stone for a second opinion . Valeria nodded silently and murmured , " Sorry to bother you . " Then , she gathered the medical records from the desk and left with Selena . Sebastian watched their retreating backs with a frown . After they left , he pushed his glasses up and resumed his work . He saw two more patients in succession . During a brief break , he made himself some water and took a call from Luke Zimmer , his former high school class president . " Our class is having a reunion on the 20th of this month . Everyone in the group chat who's in Slate City has confirmed their attendance . You have to come after being abroad for so long . " Sebastian replied , " I'll see if I can make it . My schedule isn't out yet . " " Busy man , aren't you ? We've organized so many reunions over the years , and you and Jane are the only ones who've never shown up . Do you still remember her ? That chubby girl from back then . She just vanished after graduation . You still remember her , right ? " Luke asked . " Hello ? Sebastian , are you there ? " he asked after getting no response . " Hey , why aren't you saying anything ? Is your signal bad ? I can't hear you . " The kettle on the desk hissed and boiled over , causing the water to spill and soak a few papers . Sebastian sat there and didn't move , the phone still in his hands . He looked calm , but one look into his eves would reveal a turbulent moce into his eyes would reveal a turbulent mess . The consultation room door was ajar . A passing nurse rushed in in a hurry . " The water is spilled . Dr. Grant , are you okay ? " Sebastian snapped out of his thoughts at that . He stood up but didn't respond to her . Instead , he quickly walked to the window as his grip on the phone tightened . " So , she's never attended a reunion ? " Sebastian's voice was steady , but his expression was dark . " Who ? Your signal's cutting out . Are you talking about Jane ? No , she's been impossible to reach , " Luke responded . Luke was still talking , but Sebastian had no interest in whatever he had to say . The young nurse helped him tidy things up with a blush . She tried to chat with him , but noticing that he was in no mood to interact , she left reluctantly .. Sebastian seemed lost in his own world , but he still had three more patients that morning . So , he forced himself to focus and finally finished his rounds . Then , he pulled open a drawer and took out a long blue velvet box . Inside was a black fountain pen . It had fallen and broken a few days ago . After six or seven years of use , the black lacquer was chipped , and the pen had begun to leak ink badly . He just had it repaired and hadn't used it yet , but he carefully set it back in the drawer . Sebastian rubbed his forehead , suddenly feeling drained and weary Valeria sat on the bus with Selena , and her thoughts were a complete mess . She couldn't help but remember that night seven years ago . It had been Sebastian's birthday . Back then , she had arrived at the private room filled with joy , clutching his gift excitedly . There was a raucous roar of laughter inside . " Holy crap , what's that on Sebastian's neck ? A hickey ? Sebastian , you didn't sleep with that fat girl , did you ? " S " No way , Sebastian . Is that fat chick really your girlfriend ? " " Come on , it's all the same with the lights off . " " Sebastian , are you serious ? I saw that gossip on the forums and couldn't believe it . You're really dating her ? " " Please , that fat chick schemed and used Gabriella to threaten him . Why else would he date a pig like her? " Then , Sebastian spoke . He said something Valeria would never forget as long as she lived . Perhaps it was because his voice was too distinct and pleasant , but not even the loud music and sneering voices could drown it out . " It's just for fun . I'm going abroad next month anyway . " She had stood outside the private room with red eyes . Her heart ached so badly that she couldn't breathe . Sebastian was born into an elite family with an illustrious background . Valeria had never hoped for anything long - term . She knew all along that he would leave the country . That day was Sebastian's 21st birthday . She had planned to celebrate with him and end their relationship . That brief , fruitless love had turned to ash amid their cruel laughter . The gift she had bought him was a black fountain pen . She had saved money from her part- time work for over two months to afford it . His friends had mocked Sebastian over it . " Where did this cheap crap come from ? Don't tell me that fatty gave it to you . Are you actually using it ? " " Since when does Sebastian use trashy brands like this ? It's totally beneath him . " " Mommy . " Suddenly , Selena tugged her hand and shook it gently . Valeria snapped out of her suffocating memories and hugged Selena tightly . Looking at Selena's face , which faintly resembled Sebastian's , she felt a pang in her chest . As Selena grew , her features looked more and more like Sebastian's . " Mommy , is that doctor who saw me today my daddy ? " Spin to Claim Your Surprise Reward ! Play