Chapter 1

At a department gathering, my boyfriend placed a piece of fish in my bowl.

"Sapphire, have some fish."

Jack's face turned awkward before he could finish his sentence.

Because I never eat fish. I'm allergic to it.

And my name isn't Sapphire.

Sapphire is his young apprentice.

The party finally ended.

I calmly dialed a number:

"Professor Smith, I've made my decision. I'd like to be your research assistant."

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1

Jack's hand froze mid-air.

I stared straight ahead, ignoring him, and helped myself to a piece of vegetable from the pot, chewing it slowly.

The private room was filled with colleagues from our department.

I was seated to Jack's left.

The Sapphire he mentioned was sitting to his right.

I didn't say anything about Jack's mistake, nor would I accept it.

Emily turned her head to look at Jack, eagerly taking the fish from his hand. Her eyes seemed to sparkle as she said, "Thank you. I love fish the most."

In that moment, I caught a glimpse of their brief eye contact from the corner of my eye.

If it weren't for the inappropriate setting, perhaps a different kind of spark might have ignited between them.

Calling another woman's name when his girlfriend was present.

Picking up a piece of fish even though he knew I was allergic to it.

This wasn't just an ordinary mistake.

I placed my hands under the table, pinching my thigh hard enough to turn my fingers white, trying to calm myself down.

However, the pain that should have been intense felt numb, slow to register.

The previously lively atmosphere in the private room suddenly became tense.

Finally, the department head stepped in, "This is a rare get-together for our department. Everyone, let's raise our glasses!"

Seizing what seemed like a chance for redemption, Jack hastily poured me a glass of juice. "Olivia, why don't you just have some juice instead?"

Jack and I are both doctors. To stay alert for surgeries, I rarely drink alcohol in my day-to-day life.

Jack held out the juice in front of me. After a moment's hesitation, I accepted it.

I set the juice down on the table and turned to face the chief. "Chief, pour me a drink too. If everyone else is having alcohol, I might as well join in!"

The chief, of course, didn't refuse my request.

Jack's gaze flickered as he looked at me, as if he wanted to say something, but he was quickly distracted by Emily beside him. "Mentor, pour me some juice too, would you?"

She stuck her tongue out at the others, holding her juice. "I don't have nearly the tolerance of Doctor Frost here. I'll just toast you all with juice!"

Emily downed three glasses of juice in quick succession. Jack, worried sick, rushed to offer her a napkin, tenderly dabbing her chin. "Sapphire, take it easy!"

I remained silent.

After finishing a glass of wine, I excused myself and headed to the restroom.

Jack and I have known each other for seven years.

Four years in college, three years since graduation. We're all medical students, sharing the same interests and passions.

Faced with Jack's pursuit, I couldn't hold out for long.

Back then, he'd worry whenever I fell ill, spending all night running to every pharmacy on campus to get me medicine, and even carrying me on his back for miles to rush me to the hospital.

When sickness caused me to fall behind in my studies, he'd stay up night after night creating catch-up plans for me.

But now we're in our seventh year together, and perhaps we've hit what everyone calls the seven-year itch.