I stared at him, mouth slightly agape, utterly taken aback. I couldn''t believe what I had just heard.


    But as I calmed down, I realized Tom had to be joking.


    He was Gavin''s closest childhood friend. The two had grown up together, their bond stronger than most siblings.


    Thatment was probably his way of testing me on Gavin''s behalf.


    Even if it wasn''t a test, I didn''t expect him to truly help me. After all, family matters were not to be aired in public.


    Suppressing my emotions, I forced a lightugh. "You''re joking, Mr. White. Gavin and I are fine. What I said earlier was just in the heat of the moment."


    "Oh?" Tom turned to look at me, his dark eyes unreadable, his voice low. "Is that so? Guess I overstepped, then."


    Iughed dryly, choosing not to respond further.


    Thankfully, Tom didn''t dwell on the topic. He tactfully shifted the conversation to lighter matters.


    He was witty and humorous, with a unique perspective that gradually drew my attention away from the mess involving Gavin and Mandy.


    It was during our conversation that I learned Tom had left the military.


    This surprised me because I remembered Gavin mentioning Tom''s aplishments in the army.


    Apparently, Tom had been promoted to major six months ago, a rank that was a testament to his extraordinary capabilities. His future in the military seemed boundless.


    Why would he leave? Perhaps he simply wanted to start a new chapter in life— like leveling up and switching to a new quest.


    People like him and Gavin were dragons among men, favored by destiny-born to be admired and envied by ordinary people like me.


    "It''s been over two years, but you''re still as impressive as ever, Tom."


    Our casual conversation eased the tension between us, giving us enough courage to tease him slightly. My address for him naturally shifted from the formal "Mr. White" to the more familiar "Tom."


    "Grace, we just saw each other at the end ofst month," he replied, his toneyered with meaning as he nced at me.


    "Hmm?" I blinked, confused. "The end ofst month?"


    I recalled a banquet at the end ofst month, one that had been both thrilling and chaotic.


    But I didn''t remember seeing him there. Could it have been at another event?


    "Where did we meet?"


    Tom only smiled, offering no answer, effectively ending the topic.


    ...


    Soon, we arrived at Starlight Hospital.


    I assumed Tom would leave after dropping me off, but to my surprise, he got out of the car as well. As we passed the hospital entrance, he even stopped to buy a basket of fruit.


    I looked at him, puzzled.


    "What? Don''t you bring gifts when visiting elders?" Tom asked with a low chuckle.


    My cheeks flushed slightly. I didn''t respond, instead quickening my pace toward the hospital.


    When I entered the room, Elizabeth, who had been lying on the bed, immediately sat up.


    "Gracie and Gavin are here."


    But when she saw that the man behind me wasn''t Gavin, she froze, her pale lips trembling slightly. "Gracie, where''s Gavin?"


    I forced a wless smile. "He''s busy with work, getting everything ready for the wedding."


    "I see," A sh of appointment crossed Elizabeth''s face, but she quickly masked it with a gentle smile. "There''s always so much to do before a wedding."


    Her gaze shifted to Tom. "Gracie, who is this?"


    "He''s..."


    Before I could answer, Tom stepped forward with a smile, cing the fruit basket on a nearby table. "Good afternoon, madam. I''m Gracie''s senior, Tom White."


    "White..." Elizabeth''s expression shifted slightly, clearly recognizing the significance of the name. After all, the White family was the most prestigious in Fuvine.


    Tom smiled faintly. "Gracie mentioned your health, madam. I happen to have a doctor friend here at Starlight Hospital. I''ll ask him to take a look at you."


    "There''s no need, really. I wouldn''t want to trouble you."


    "Please, madam, no need to be so polite," Tom replied with a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.


    I knew Tom meant well. Given it concerned Elizabeth''s health, I couldn''t refuse, so


    I offered him my sincere thanks.


    But when Dr. Greg Hill, the renowned specialist, walked into the room, I was stunned. I turned to look at Tom in disbelief.


    He had mentioned a doctor friend—but it turned out to be Greg himself.


    Elizabeth was equally astonished. She knew Greg''s reputation, especially at Starlight Hospital, where even getting an appointment was nearly impossible.


    Greg quickly began examining Elizabeth, leaving Tom and me waiting outside the


    room.


    I nced at Tom, still processing the unexpected turn of events.


    "Tom, thank you so much," I said sincerely.


    For Tom, it might have been a small favor, but to me, it meant the world.


    Tom''s lips curled into a faint smile. "Don''t mention it."


    I instinctively parted my lips, about to say something, but my attention was caught


    by the screen of the television across the hall.


    On the screen was Mandy Green''s face. The TVs in the hospital corridor were muted, so I couldn''t hear the audio, but a bold headline shed across the screen.


    "Famous Actress Mandy Green Announces Divorce and Reveals New Romance!"


    The scene then shifted to an image of Mandy nestled in a man''s arms. Even though the man''s face was pixted, I recognized him instantly—it was Gavin Gould.


    I shot to my feet, my face draining of color.


    Even though I knew a single photo didn''t necessarily mean anything-and I had been there that day, so it could just be an unfortunate angle taken by the paparazzi—I couldn''t stop my hands from trembling slightly. My vision blurred with unshed tears.


    "Don''t look."


    Arge hand suddenly blocked my view, shielding me from the television. Startled,


    I instinctively grabbed the person''s wrist to push it away, but Tom stepped in front


    of me, his huge framepletely obscuring the screen.


    I lowered my head, desperately trying to keep my tears from falling.


    I kept telling myself over and over to trust Gavin. No matter what, I need to hear


    his exnation first. But my chest ached with an overwhelming bitterness I couldn''t shake.


    As I stared at the ground, my eyes fell on Tom''s arm, and I realized I was still gripping his wrist.


    "I''m sorry," I quickly let go.


    Tom didn''t seem to mind. His longshes lowered slightly as if deep in thought. I noticed his Adam''s apple bob slightly as he swallowed, but I didn''t dwell on it for


    long.


    Suddenly, the door to the hospital room burst open, and a nurse''s panicked voice rang out.


    "Ms. Summers! Your mom was fine just moments ago, but after watching


    something on TV, she suddenly fainted!"


    "What?"