Chapter 4

"I really don't have that much cash on me," Noah paused, pulling out his phone. "Is a wire transfer okay?"

"A wire transfer? Who knows when that'll show up. If you're so capable, do it now!" Evan said smugly.

Even Lila couldn't keep watching anymore and tried to step in. "Bro, Mr. Avery's a doctor."

"A doctor? You think that's impressive? I work in a pharma sales company. I meet guys like him from tiny hospitals all the time. Their whole yearly salary sometimes doesn't even cover my monthly bonus. Don't get fooled by a pretty face. Don't think Samantha's hitting the jackpot. Just wait, she'll regret this betrayal and come crying back!"

Evan didn't care that Grace's face darkened. He was dead set on humiliating Samantha and her new husband. He pulled out his phone and opened a payment QR code. "Go ahead. Transfer it now if you can!"

"Noah, you—" Samantha was just as shocked. A young doctor pulling out over half a million dollars? That had to be all his savings. How could Evan take it?

Noah just gave her a calm look full of reassurance. He scanned the code.

Beep.

Evan stared at the notification on his screen, completely stunned. Six hundred thousand dollars. Instantly received.

It wasn't until then that he looked closer at Noah. His outfit seemed plain, but everything hinted at subtle luxury. Just the cufflinks on that jacket—if they were real—could cost six figures.

No way Samantha got this lucky, right?

"Let's go." Noah pocketed his phone and turned to take her hand.

His calm expression made it seem like he'd just bought an ice cream, not just sent a fortune. Totally unfazed.

Looking into those deep, clear eyes of his, Samantha didn't even think—it just felt natural to place her hand in his. He gently took it, nodded politely again to Grace, and said, "We'll visit another day. Goodbye."

"Wait, this..." Evan stammered.

But Noah wasn't about to stick around. He was already leading Samantha out, without a single glance back.

Out in the parking garage, Samantha finally came back to her senses. "You just... handed over six hundred grand to Evan like that?"

"Yeah." He turned to unbuckle her seatbelt. "Let's go get you some basic stuff—and clothes to change into."

He said it so casually, like the cash meant nothing. Samantha blinked. "Are you... rich?"

"Doctors don't make that much. Just enough to get by." He held out his hand to help her down.

She stared at his hand, hesitating. Was it too soon to be holding hands again?

"You're hurt. It's easier if I help." His tone was gentle, and his hand stayed there, steady and warm.

His words made her cheeks flush instantly.

"N-no, it's fine."

She hopped down from the car a bit too fast, winced in pain as it pulled on her wound, and sucked in a sharp breath.

"Hang tight in the car. I'll grab some ointment. It'll help ease the pain before we go shopping."

Before she could protest, he was already walking off, his steady pace somehow calming just to watch.

He came back pretty soon and handed her the medicine. "I'll wait right outside the car. No one's gonna bother you."

Spray medicine in the car? Seriously?

Was he for real?

Talk about awkward.

Samantha felt a little embarrassed and gave a weak laugh. "It's fine, really. I'm okay. I'll just deal with it when we get back."

"You want me to help you?"

"Huh?"

She froze. Was Noah just being overly professional again? Like, was this that doctor instinct kicking in? Forcing treatment?

"No, no! It's okay!" She quickly waved him off.

Noah nodded slightly and took a step back. "I'll wait outside."

He turned around like a total gentleman, back facing the car.

Samantha realized she'd been had. Saying she didn't need help didn't mean she agreed to do it here, right?

She thought about getting out of the car, but her body shifted and pain flared up again. Without using the spray, she was gonna struggle getting anything done today. She eyed the medicine, clenched her teeth... and sprayed it.

Instant relief.

She opened the door and stepped out. Noah was still standing there, facing away.

Samantha cleared her throat awkwardly. "Uh, let's...let's go."

"Just call me Noah. It's more fitting, considering our relationship."

He turned around, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Only, it was so subtle she wasn't even sure if it counted as a smile. He didn't seem like the type to smile much. At least so far, she hadn't seen a real one.

"Oh... okay." She nodded, looking soft and obedient.

He reached into his wallet and pulled out two cards, handing them to her—one was a bank card, the other a keycard.

"Sorry," he explained, "the hospital just called. There was a bad accident on the highway—some patients have serious brain injuries. I've got to head back in for emergency surgery. Take these and head to the apartment. If there's anything missing or you want to replace something, just get it. There's enough money on the card."

"Oh, okay! You go, saving lives is way more important." Samantha quickly took the cards, not wanting to delay him even a second.

Noah didn't linger either. He told her the door code and the bank card password, then gave her a few reminders.

"I've got no idea when I'll be off. If you get hungry, just eat somewhere nearby. I won't be able to take calls during surgery, so take care of yourself while I'm gone."

"No worries, I'll be fine! Go already—people need you." Samantha gestured for him to hurry.

He nodded. "Thanks. I live close to the hospital, so it won't slow me down."

Up until now, Samantha's understanding of doctors was super surface-level—she wasn't someone who hit up hospitals regularly. She hadn't expected the guy she randomly picked at a park to actually be out here saving lives.

Watching his car disappear down the road, she felt a bit dazed. Was she really about to start living with a man who still felt kinda like a stranger?

She followed the location Noah had sent to her phone and used the keycard to ride the elevator up. That's when she realized—each floor had only one unit. Even the building's design gave off serious luxury vibes. This obviously wasn't just a regular apartment.

She keyed in the password and pushed the door open, eyes going wide in shock.

This... this was Noah's so-called "small apartment in the city" they'd be living in after marriage?