Page 19 of Dr. Billionaire's Fake Marriage

I walk with her to the library, where she writes down the names of some ladies she thinks are okay for me to marry.

She gives the list to me, and I hope she can cancel Emilie's name written boldly at the top.

"Thank you," I say, collecting the list from her before calling Mother's assistant to schedule dates for each of them.

When I read the names to myself, I realize that they are no better than Emilie, but I will take an evil witch over Emilie.

Mother's P.A. calls back a few hours later to tell me my first date is with Freya Goodwill. I sigh.

It has begun, I tell myself. The journey to avoiding Emilie has begun, and I must do a perfect job of it.

Chapter six

The Rooftop Talk

Camile

The hospital air is breathable maybe because Troy has been a bit absent. Amelia tells me that Mrs. Robinson is still determined to find Troy a wife.

I bear nothing but pity for the woman who would live under the same roof with someone like Troy.

Amelia promises to make up for the time we missed together. She tells me that she is going through some sort of phase with Henry.

I feel for her, wondering if Henry is as corny as Troy. I fight the urge to ask her what is going on, but I am more concerned about giving her all the privacy she needs.

If I were in her shoes, I'd need some privacy too.

I see Amelia at the hospital. She looks worn out as if she has been crying for too long. "Are you okay?" I ask her while we sit at the lunch table for our lunch break. "I don't mean to snoop, but you seem distant lately. It's okay if you don't want to tell me about it, but I just want to know that you are okay."

She nods, avoiding my eyes. She digs into her meal, not eating, just pretending to eat. “My parents want me to quit work,” she says, still avoiding looking at me.

My heart skips a bit. If Amelia quits her job, I would be the loneliest person in the hospital because she is the only friend I talk to there. In fact, she is the only friend I have.

"They never wanted me to work as a surgeon. They only wanted me to qualify as a medical doctor just so I can be qualified as one of the stakeholders of the hospital they own." Amelia swallows, still digging into her chicken salad.

Amelia's parents own the next biggest hospital in Richmond, but they think Amelia's job as the first daughter is to get married to one of the Robinsons, thereby securing a good connection the two families need to get going.

She doesn't work at her parent's hospital because they never allowed her to.

She went behind their backs to get a job as a junior surgeon in Troy's hospital.

Amelia had agreed to get along with Henry, hoping that was enough to make her parents get off her back, but nothing she ever does works for her parents.

“I love my job,” she says. “I love our job.”

Being a junior surgeon at one of the most prestigious hospitals is tiring, but our passion for saving people keeps us going. "My parents won't understand; they think I should build a home for Henry and get busy making sure the hospital and their other firms are run well."

“You just have to talk to your parents,” I tell her, holding her left hand in mine. “You just have to tell them that you love your job.”

Amelia scoffs, "My parents don't care about what you love to do; they are more concerned about what you have to do."

I nod, rubbing her hands. “Talk to Henry then,” I suggest. “He might be able to influence your parent’s decision.”

Amelia chuckles; she cannot believe what I just told her. She shakes her head. "You don't know Henry," she says. "He agreed with my parents on everything. Mrs. Robinson does, too; there is no way forward, honey. I might have to quit my job anytime soon."

My heart sinks more as Amelia speaks about leaving the hospital. “I think I know what you can do,” I whisper, “but it is a bad idea.”

“I love bad ideas.” Amelia manages to smile and utter, “Tell me, Camile.”

---