Chapter 637

Time seemed to stand still in the rolling hills of the Midwest.

The weathered clinic building stood at the village entrance, its military-green wooden door creaking in the wind. Sunlight filtered through the peeling walls, casting dappled shadows on the concrete floor.

In the outpatient hall, a few feverish villagers were hooked up to IV drips. The nurses, enjoying a rare moment of leisure, gathered in small groups to bask in the sun.

"Last time we said it was quiet, and that very night we got five food poisoning cases," the older nurse muttered, rubbing her hands nervously.

"Don't jinx it!" a younger nurse quickly interrupted.

The elderly doctor squinted at the distant mountains. "Days like these are good. It means our people are healthy."

In the corner, a faded lounge chair held a figure in a white coat, a slender wrist peeking out from the sleeve. A novel covered her face, its gilded title—The Priceless Bride—glinting in the sunlight.

"Dr. Carter?" A young nurse tiptoed closer.

The figure stirred, the book sliding off to reveal delicate features. Evelyn Carter rubbed her eyes as sunlight danced on her lashes.

"That book..." The nurse's eyes lit up at the cover. "You like romance novels too?"

Evelyn glanced down at the book in her hands. On the cover, a sharply suited CEO gazed lovingly at his bride. Her fingers paused for a fraction of a second.

"Just using it to block the sun," she said lightly, closing the book. "What's it about?"

"It's amazing!" The nurse leaned in eagerly. "The leads marry first, then fall in love—but then his unattainable love comes back from abroad..."

Evelyn's smile froze. The plot felt unnervingly familiar.

A sudden roar of a motorized rickshaw cut through the air. A sun-darkened man jumped out, cradling a pale, trembling pregnant woman.

"Doctor! My wife's in labor!"

Evelyn sprang into action. The woman's pants were soaked, amniotic fluid dripping down her legs onto the ground.

"Wheelchair! Now!" Her voice was sharp with command.

The sunlight still shone brightly, but the novel now lay forgotten on the bench. The CEO on the cover smiled gently, as if watching over something unseen.