Scars of the Past Chapter 1

The lab fire was sudden and violent. My boyfriend instinctively raised his hand to shield me, losing a layer of skin in the process.

On the day we broke up, I deliberately aimed for his deepest wound.

"Every time I look at those hands, I feel physically sick."

Years later, he became my father's attending physician.

Before discussing the prognosis, he asked with a calm expression:

"Miss Miller, will my hands cause you any physiological discomfort?"

* * *

Yesterday, a friend called to say there might be hope for my dad's condition.

A doctor named Dr. Vance had just returned from studying abroad at their hospital, specializing in exactly this rare disease.

But I never expected this "Dr. Vance" to be Julian Vance.

"Dr. Vance is so handsome. If only his hands weren't burned like that, he'd be perfect!"

"I heard from Dr. Reed that his ex-girlfriend caused it. She even broke up with him because of it."

"What? That's disgusting."

Passing the nurses' station, I overheard their chatter while they prepped medications.

My steps faltered, then I forced myself to continue down the hall.

With every step closer to that door, my heart pounded faster and faster.

My hand was trembling as it touched the doorknob.

But the moment I saw that familiar figure, everything went quiet.

The man in the white coat stopped writing and looked up at the sound.

Our eyes met, and my heart seemed to stop.

My whole body went rigid.

To be honest, I was prepared for Julian's mockery.

Because—

I was that disgusting ex-girlfriend.