He Saved A Dog But Let His Wife’s Father Die Chapter 01

He Saved A Dog But Let His Wife’s Father Die Chapter 01

Five years after the divorce, at a comrades reunion Joseph York’s best friend suddenly turned to me. “Camilla, do you still hate Joseph for refusing to perform heart surgery on your father in your hometown all those years ago?”

I shook my head with a faint smile. “I let go of that a long time ago. After all, regulations strictly prohibit doctors from practicing outside their registered jurisdiction.”

His grin widened. “Then do you still love him? He’s waited for you all these years, never dated anyone else.”

Shock washed over me. I held up my left hand, the wedding band glinting on my ring finger. “I’m remarried. I have a child now.”

A stunned silence filled the room before every gaze slowly swung toward the man huddled in the corner, thick with pity.

Joseph’s eyes were bloodshot, burning with a rage so fierce it looked as if he might snap. I could only stare in confusion.

I still remembered my father’s critical illness. I’d begged Joseph to perform the surgery himself.

Joseph had spoken coldly. “The Military Hospital prohibits off-the-books procedures. I cannot bend regulations for personal matters.”

Dad passed away in the ambulance during the transfer. His last act was squeezing my hand tight, whispering a warning. “Don’t hold it against Joseph. He has rules he’s sworn to uphold.”

Two years later, a bouquet arrived on my wedding anniversary.

Tucked inside was a card: Thank you, Joseph, for traveling to perform emergency surgery on our Paige. Our whole family is endlessly grateful. — Ava Frost

My fingers trembled. The bouquet fell heavily to the tile floor.

Paige was Ava’s dog.

Joseph’s rules could bend. Regulations could be set aside.

But my father and I just weren’t worth the same as a dog.

……

Joseph came home from work the next evening to an empty dining table. His brows drew tight. “Where’s dinner?”

I stared at my laptop screen, not lifting my head. “I didn’t feel like cooking. I’m worn out.”

His frown deepened. “More exhausted than I am after a twelve-hour back-to-back surgery shift?”

Before I could reply, his phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID and picked up instantly. “What’s going on?”

A soft female voice drifted from the speaker. The rigid line of his jaw instantly softened. “Stay calm. I’m on my way.”

Teasing cheers echoed in the background.

“Whoa, Head Nurse Frost calling for backup again!”

“Hurry over, Dr. York. The nurse is drowning in workload!”

Laughter rippled through the line, thick with gossip about the two of them.

I was his legally wedded wife of five years, yet I felt like an outsider watching strangers.

He hung up and pulled his coat back on.

I finally spoke. “Ava?”

He froze mid-movement.

“It’s a life-or-death emergency. She had no one else to call. Don’t make this about us.”

With that, he turned and headed out the door.

I watched his retreating back, recalling how, just a week ago, when he’d rushed out the same way, claiming a three-day business trip.

I understood now. It was never work travel.

He’d driven more than two thousand kilometers to operate on Ava’s dog.