Two Grown Men

Time moved differently inside the operating room.

Dr. William led the procedure with calm authority. Every instruction was clear, every movement precise. Owen stood beside the operating table—focused, professional—yet his heart skipped every time the monitor emitted a sharp sound.

More than once, his gaze drifted to Ailine’s sleeping face.

“Focus, Owen,” Dr. William said without turning his head.

“Yes, Doctor.”

The surgery lasted longer than expected, but it remained stable throughout. The tumor was removed carefully, layer by layer. Dr. William’s skill was unquestionable. Not to underestimate the procedure—but despite being a tumor removal, this was not considered a particularly difficult operation.

“Minimal bleeding,” one of the nurses reported.

Dr. William nodded. “Good.”

When the final stitch was completed, Dr. William finally turned toward Owen.

“You can breathe now.”

Only then did Owen realize how tight his chest had felt all this time.

“The operation was successful,” Dr. William continued. “Your girlfriend is strong.”

Girlfriend?

Whatever. This was not the time to react or question anything. What mattered was that everything went smoothly. Ailine was safe.

Owen bowed his head deeply. “Thank you, Doctor.”

Dr. William patted his shoulder lightly. “Now… your job isn’t finished yet. She’ll be waking up soon.”

Ailine regained consciousness slowly in the recovery room.

The first thing she felt was not pain—but warmth in her hand.

She opened her eyes.

Owen.

Still there.

“Owen… you have to marry me,” she croaked, her voice hoarse—but that wasn’t the main issue.

Everyone in the room held back their laughter. Of all the things someone could say after waking up from anesthesia, why that?

Owen forced a smile, trying to keep himself together.

“The surgery is over, Ailine… You did great…”

Ailine blinked, then smiled weakly. “I’m still alive?”

“And still talkative,” Owen replied lightly.

She let out a small laugh, then closed her eyes again.

“Good thing… I was just pretending.”

Owen shook his head slowly, unable to wipe the smile from his face.

“Yeah. The boldest act I’ve ever dealt with.”

And for the first time in a long while, Owen realized—

He hadn’t just saved a patient.

He had almost lost someone he loved.

“But you’ll still marry me after this, right?”

“Hey—you just woke up. Why are we talking about that already?” Owen couldn’t believe her.

“If I don’t make it clear now, you might run away later!”

“I won’t run away.”

“You better not. You have to take responsibility for what you did to me under the stars that night—”

Owen gently covered Ailine’s mouth. Not harsh. Just firm enough.

And of course, everyone else immediately grew curious.

What exactly had the coldest doctor in this hospital done to this actress that he was being told to take responsibility?

“Enough, Ailine! Stop talking for now… You just came back from the edge between life and death. Honestly…” Owen sighed repeatedly.

How many times had his dignity been hanging by a thread today because of this woman?

Ailine suddenly bit Owen’s hand.

He immediately pulled back and glared.

“You still have enough energy to bite me?”

“You’re ugly, Owen… but I love you…”

The entire room erupted into indistinct cheers and teasing noises. Owen’s face turned red, while Ailine grinned weakly, clearly pleased with herself.

An absurd couple.

Even Dr. William could only smile. At the very least, he felt that Owen seemed more alive with Ailine in his life.

“Don’t forget the wedding invitation,” Dr. William said casually.

“Doctor, please don’t listen to her,” Owen protested.

“Understood, Dr. William!”

“Hey!!”

“Ha ha ha…”

---

Ailine was later transferred back to her inpatient room. The removed tumor was sent to the laboratory to determine whether it was benign or malignant, and whether it showed any signs of cancer.

Her condition was fairly stable—very good, actually. Being promised marriage by Owen seemed to give Ailine an extraordinary boost of strength.

Everyone looked far more relieved than they had the night before, especially Ailine’s parents.

Owen stood up.

“I need to go to oncology. There are follow-ups—the tissue results, treatment plans—”

Before he could take another step, Ailine’s hand clutched his coat.

“Don’t.”

Owen stopped.

“I’ll just be a moment,” he said gently.

Ailine shook her head, her voice weak but stubborn.

“Stay here.”

“Ailine, don’t be like that. Dr. Owen has important matters to attend to. Don’t be selfish,” her mother said softly.

Ailine shook her head again, as if afraid of being left behind. Her grip trembled slightly.

“Please… don’t go.”

Owen fell silent, torn between logic and emotion.

A knock on the door saved them from the decision.

“May I come in?”

Julian Feng appeared at the doorway, dressed neatly despite looking visibly exhausted. In his hands were a bouquet of flowers and a gift box.

Everyone in the room turned toward him.

“Julian?” Ailine exclaimed in surprise.

He smiled warmly. “I heard you had surgery. How could I not come? I took the earliest flight last night! Why weren’t you more careful, huh?”

“You didn’t have to—”

“I did,” Julian interrupted gently. “You’re my best friend.”

He placed the flowers beside the bed and handed the gift to Ailine’s mother.

“I’m fine,” Ailine said softly.

“It shows,” Julian chuckled. “You’re still talkative.”

Julian’s gaze briefly met Owen’s. There was no hostility there—only a silent acknowledgment.

Owen nodded politely.

“I should step out for a bit,” Owen said again, hesitating.

Ailine looked at him, then glanced at Julian. It was difficult, but eventually she loosened her grip.

“Don’t take long.”

Owen squeezed her hand briefly. “I won’t.”

After Owen left, the room grew quiet.

“There’s something I need to explain,” Ailine said softly, looking at Julian.

“Owen is… my ex. And the man I’ve loved since long ago.”

Julian smiled.

“I know.”

Ailine froze. “How?”

“Secret,” he replied lightly.

“You’re… not angry?”

“Why would I be?” Julian shrugged. “Feelings aren’t something you can force to disappear. And we already agreed to stay in our own lanes. I like you—that’s my business. You have every right to like someone else.”

Ailine’s eyes welled with tears. “Thank you.”

“I just want you to be happy,” he said sincerely. “With anyone.”

“Even with Owen?”

“Even with him.”

Ailine smiled in relief.

Julian glanced at his watch. “I should go.”

“So soon? That’s rare,” Layla chimed in. Emma nodded in agreement.

“Don’t tell me you snuck away from your manager again?” she guessed.

Julian didn’t answer, only grimaced. Layla, Emma, and Ailine all sighed. Julian had always been like this when it came to Ailine.

This man was simply too kind.

Ailine’s father lightly patted Julian’s shoulder—a gesture filled with meaning.

“Thank you for coming. I’m proud of you.”

Julian smiled faintly. “Take care of Ailine, Uncle… She’s very stubborn when told what to do.”

He stepped out.

But just as the door opened—

Owen was standing there.

So the surgeon hadn’t left after all.

Waiting for him on purpose?

Julian stopped. They looked at each other for a moment.

“I’m entrusting her to you,” Julian said calmly.

“I’ll protect her,” Owen replied seriously.

Julian’s tone hardened slightly, though still controlled.

“If you ever make her cry again—I’ll take her back.”

Owen exhaled, then smiled faintly.

“That’s fair.”

Julian returned the smile. “Good.”

They went their separate ways.

Owen headed to oncology. Julian returned to the airport. His manager was probably in complete chaos after he slipped away.

Two men who loved the same woman—both fighting for her happiness in positive ways. One heart could not hold two people, but what mattered most was that there would be a winner. And the one who lost would not become an enemy—but a supporter, a friend, and a rival for the sake of something better.

That was how two grown men should be.