So, I had to hit the ER over the weekend. Just my luck, my ex-husband was the doctor on duty. He glanced at my test results, didn't even lift his head, and sneered, "Three years, and you still can't find a man to come with you to the hospital?" I stayed silent, staring at the ceiling tiles, trying not to pass out from the pain. He kept going. "Get a family member here. You need surgery. I need to discuss the procedure with someone responsible." "Don't try to find me later. We're divorced." The next day. A chart-topping pop star. A billionaire heir. A genius race car driver. Three dangerously handsome men show up in my hospital room at the same time. Taking turns grilling him about my condition and treatment plan. His eye twitched, fighting to keep a professional face while looking like he was about to cry. "Tell me... these three men are all your 'family'?" "Yep. Does the hospital have a rule against having more than three family members?" 1 I took an Uber to the ER over the weekend. Never thought I'd run into my ex-husband working the shift. Looking at the man in front of me—white coat, gold-rimmed glasses, face like stone—my heart felt worse than my stomach. Divorced for three years. Didn't expect to reunite like this. Dr. Julian Vance looked at the clipboard, head down. He told me to lie on the exam table. Then his long fingers gently pressed on my lower abdomen. "Hurts here? Anywhere else? Is it a cramping pain or intermittent?" I turned my face away, not wanting to look at him. "Sharp, twisting pain." His cold voice drifted down from the fluorescent lights above. "Probably appendicitis. Needs to come out. But there's an issue..." He stopped. Looked up at my pale face. Frowned. "You're not in good shape. I suggest surgery ASAP to relieve the pain." "Where's your current husband?" When I didn't answer, he started scribbling on my chart again. Finally, he looked me in the eye, voice dripping with icy sarcasm. "Three years. Still haven't found a guy to hold your hand at the doctor's?" I kept quiet, staring at the ceiling, fighting the pain. He scoffed. "Stop playing dead. Just medical advice. Get a family member here now. You need surgery. I need to go over the options with them." "And don't look at me for support. We're divorced." I couldn't hold back anymore. "Seriously, Julian? Three years and you're still this full of yourself? I'd pick literally anyone over a washed-up has-been like you." As soon as the words left my mouth, I didn't even get to see his face turn purple. I passed out from the pain. Appendicitis isn't a disease, but man, it feels like it's killing you. 2 When I woke up, I was in a hospital room. Vague voices floated into my ears. "We still haven't reached her family. Poor thing. Doesn't look old, probably married, right? She's got a ring, but where's the husband?" "Who knows? Even if she has no family, what about friends? Not a single visitor. Must be a lonely life." "Hey, I saw Dr. Vance handled her admission himself. Seemed kinda personal. Maybe she's stalking him? I heard him asking about her husband..." "Shh! Don't be ridiculous. Dr. Vance? With her? His girlfriend is that rich girl with class. His first love. They're solid. Don't drag him down with just anyone." I couldn't take it anymore. They weren't whispering. They were broadcasting right next to my ear. Just as I was about to say something, I heard Julian's voice. "Don't discuss patients in the ward." Great. So you were there the whole time. Listened to the whole thing, let them trash me to boost your ego, huh? Divorced, and he's still dating that trust-fund "first love"? Makes sense. He fought so hard for the divorce just to be with his "white moonlight." Thinking back to that rainy night, seeing them entangled in the doorway... makes me want to puke. Julian walked to my bedside, tone flat. "If you're worried about your family seeing me and getting the wrong idea, I can step out. There are other doctors on rotation. As long as..." Suddenly, a man rushed into the room, gasping for air. Dressed like a hypebeast, mask and cap on. You'd think a celebrity just walked in. He instantly grabbed everyone's attention. "No need, doc. I'm family. Can you brief me on my wife's condition?" Julian turned, saw the guy. Then whipped back to glare at me. "You remarried? This guy is really your husband?" I paused, tilting my head. "Family, I guess. We had a beach wedding." The masked man walked up to me. Smiling eyes, like peach blossoms. He looked Julian up and down. Then, shockingly, extended a hand. "Hi, Dr. Vance. I'm her husband, Leo Starling. You can discuss the surgery with me." Julian sized up the man who was just as tall as him. Even with the mask, the eyes were stunning. Clearly a looker. Julian's voice turned colder. "You sure you're the husband? She came alone yesterday, passed out cold. You weren't exactly by her side." Before Leo could reply, I jumped in. "He's busy. Packed schedule. I didn't tell him." Julian's mouth tightened, face darkening. "What kind of job is so busy he can't care about his wife's health?" "Your taste in men is getting worse." I cut him off. "Dr. Vance, aren't you crossing a line? We're just doctor and patient." Next second, my hand was gripped tight. Leo pulled down his mask. A top-tier handsome face leaned in close. "Aw, babe, don't be mad. It's my fault." "I called you all night. Just finished my concert and caught the red-eye back." "Don't fight with the doctor. If he scolds me, fine. If he scolds me, he can't scold you." The tea was piping hot. Julian looked like he swallowed a lemon. The nurses nearly screamed. "It's really Leo Starling! OMG! I watched his music show! He's even hotter in person! I love his new song! I heard he was married, didn't know it was true! His wife is right here!" The chatter in the ward was getting louder. Julian took a deep breath. Glared at me. "Family members cannot disturb the patient's rest." Leo didn't even look up. "Then get my wife a VIP suite." Julian: "No beds." Leo narrowed his eyes: "Then we transfer." Julian gritted his teeth: "She needs surgery immediately." Sparks were flying. Even the nurse noticed the weird vibe. "Dr. Vance, you seem really invested in this patient. Are you friends?" "No." Julian denied it instantly. 3 Hearing that, Leo slowly turned his head. Tears welled up in those pretty eyes. "Boohoo, wifey, do you have a terrible disease? Trying to hide it and break up with me? I won't allow it! We have money! We can cure anything!" "No! We'll go abroad! If we can't cure it, I'll die with you!" Seeing him script a whole K-drama in his head, I pushed his face away. "Fix your brain first. It's appendicitis." Tears still in his eyes, he threw himself on me, hugging me tight. "Just appendicitis? Bad appendix! Nasty appendix! We're not playing with it anymore!" I winced in pain and pinched his side. "Leo, stop acting like a moron or get out!" Leo had his fun. The nurses were suppressing squeals. "Ahhh, he's so cute! He's even hotter than Dr. Vance! They're so in love!" Dr. Vance stared at Leo's hands on me. His gaze turned icy. He dropped a stiff sentence. "Come to my office later. I'll explain the afternoon surgery." As soon as Julian left, Leo whispered in my ear with a smirk. "Ex-hubby got mad and ran away." I rolled my eyes. "So? You better stop groping me." I moved his hand off my waist. Leo sat on the stool, looking pathetic, peeling an apple for me. "Can't a husband touch his wife?" I rolled my eyes at him again. Whispering a correction: "Technically, we just have a contract." Leo's starry eyes shimmered. Like he was about to cry again. "Oh. So you've always just seen me as a Contract Beast, not a man?" 4 I looked at him, headache brewing. My Contract Beast No. 1, Leo Starling. Current human identity: A pop idol who debuted three years ago. Got famous for his voice and skills, but exploded because of that face. In this world, Beastkin and humans coexist. But normal people don't know. Only a few researchers do. My family has a secret. If a woman reaches adulthood without a partner, the family assigns her three Contract Beasts. In plain English— If you're 25 and single, the family forces three hot Beastkin dudes on you. They look human, have human identities. But they can only bond with you. It starts as a Servant Contract. If you choose one, it becomes a Lover Contract. Naturally, all the males want the Lover Contract. Servants can't control their own lives. Lovers... well, if the human dies, they die too. It's romantic like that. Leo was assigned to me three years ago, right after I divorced Julian. I knew the family's game. He's still a servant, trying to charm his way into a promotion. I forced a smile and pinched his cheek. "Idols dating? Shouldn't you just retire? Where's your professional integrity?" "I'm a singer, not a face model. My agency doesn't ban dating. Besides, if you give me the Lover Contract, I'll quit everything. Stay home, raise the kids." Leo said it casually, but his tone was dead serious. I avoided his gaze. Coughing twice. "Thirsty. Water, please." Leo trotted off happily. Nurses kept peeking in. Worried about paparazzi and crazy fan girls, I asked Julian for a private room. Being surrounded by hemorrhoid patients wasn't ideal. Julian rejected it cold. "No private rooms. Stay or transfer." "Forgot to mention, surgery is at 1 PM." Great. 100% holding a grudge. Petty ex. Allowed to date his rich girl, but I can't have a pop star? If the other two show up, will he explode? Leo insisted on waiting until my surgery was done. His assistant was blowing up his phone. He had a show to film tonight. Julian was the lead surgeon. Blue mask, surgical cap. Just those handsome eyes showing. Right before anesthesia, he "casually" chatted. "Is he good to you?" Silence in the OR. He continued, pretending not to care. "With his job, he must be busy. Can he eat with you every Friday? Watch a movie every week?" My mouth twitched. "Do I have to answer, Doc?" Julian's amber eyes dimmed. "Just chatting. Want coconut chicken later?" I almost lost it. Dude, I'm getting my appendix out. You're talking about men and chicken? I wanted to ask if he got possessed after the divorce. Next second, the drugs hit. Lights out. Vaguely, I remembered what he meant. I chased Julian five years ago. He was an intern. used every trick in the book to get his WeChat. Chased him for three months. Made him my boyfriend. Married him two years later. He was busy. But every week, we had date night. Dinner, walk, movie. He'd hold me when I fell asleep halfway through. How long did the happy days last? Less than a year and a half... We started fighting. Why? I forgot. I just remember... Julian didn't love me. There was always his "first love" between us. 5 Wheeled out of surgery. Leo wasn't on his phone. He was right there, looking worried. Rushed over to hold my hand. Julian blocked him. Anesthesia was wearing off. I cracked an eye open. Leo didn't get mad. Just sighed. "Moon, get well soon. I have a show to film. Can't stay. Didn't hire a nurse... guessing the others got the news. You won't lack care." He meant the other two beasts. Before leaving, Leo patted Julian's shoulder. Julian looked exhausted. "Tough break, Ex-Hubby. But you gotta get in line. Way back." Julian looked weirded out. Leo strutted off. His manager had already bribed everyone in the ward to keep quiet. Julian looked grim. Tucked me in. "How did you fall for a guy like that? Do you only look at faces? Do you know his character? Is he considerate?" "You seem very concerned about my taste in men. Jealous?" I asked weakly. Julian looked at me. Nurse staring nearby. He feigned indifference. "You can't be alone. Need a caregiver until the catheter is out. Want to hire one? I'm... free these next two days..." Knock on the door. A pretty woman in a Chanel suit stood there. Pale face. "Julian! I couldn't reach you. My friend felt sick while we were shopping for wedding favors. Can you check her?" She walked in. Saw me lying there, half-dead. Eyebrows raised. Smile froze. Nurse gasped. "It's Ms. Gold! Dr. Vance's fiancée! They're wedding prepping!" "Did she hear something? I heard she keeps him on a tight leash." "I heard Dr. Vance is divorced. His ex-wife took a payout and left. Dumped him for money." The gossip was getting wild. Ms. Gold covered her mouth in fake shock. "Is that Luna Lin? Are you sick? Did Julian operate on you? Where's your family? No one here?" She walked over, grabbing my hand with fake sympathy. "You should have said something! I would've told Julian to take extra care of you. He's a Chief now. Even if you're divorced, we can be friends, right?" Fake smile. Loud voice. Making sure everyone heard. Julian frowned, pulling her away. "Leave the room. Take your friend to my office. I'll be there after rounds." She nodded, playing the victim. "Okay, okay. I won't disturb your work. Just business, I know." Emphasizing "business." Implying his care for me was just professional obligation. I was too tired for this. "Whatever. If you really care, wire me twenty grand." Ms. Gold froze. Julian almost laughed. Suddenly, the door burst open. A team of professional caregivers marched in. Behind them, a man in a custom suit. Sharp features, mixed race, handsome in a cold, aristocratic way. Different league entirely. I closed my eyes. Damon Cross. Contract Beast No. 2. Identity: Heir to a conglomerate. Controls half the city's economy. Walking romance novel trope. I swear, my family breeds these guys based on Wattpad tags.
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