Chapter 4Emergency Room Romance: My Ex vs. The Pack

I rubbed my temples, looking at him.

My Contract Shifter No. 1: Jax Ryder.

Identity in the human world: Idol singer, debuted three years ago.

He blew up overnight because of his ethereal looks and clean vocals, though he insists he's a "serious artist."

In this world, Shifters (Beastmen) coexist with humans.

But ordinary people don't know they exist. Only a few researchers and elite families are in on the secret.

My family has a... tradition.

If a woman from our bloodline doesn't have a mate by the time she's an adult, the Family arranges three Shifters to bind to her.

In plain English: If you're 25 and single, the Family forcefully assigns you a harem of three male Shifters.

They look human and have human identities.

But they are bound to you.

Initially, it's a Servant Contract.

Once you pick one, you can upgrade it to a Lover's Contract.

Naturally, all the males want the Lover's Contract.

A Shifter under a Servant Contract has no autonomy over their life or death. But with a Lover's Contract? They live and die with their human. If the human dies, they die.

Jax was assigned to me three years ago, right after I divorced Ethan.

I knew exactly what he was doing.

He's still stuck in the Servant Contract. He's trying to butter me up to get the upgrade.

I pinched his smooth cheek with a fake smile.

"If an Idol dates, his career implodes. Don't you have any professional ethics?"

"I'm a singer, not just a pretty face. My agency doesn't ban dating. Besides... if you sign the Lover's Contract with me, I'll quit everything. I'll stay home and raise the kids."

Jax said it jokingly, but his tone carried a terrifying hint of sincerity.

I looked away.

"Cough. I'm thirsty. Get me some water."

Jax trotted off obediently.

While he was gone, nurses kept peeking in.

Worried that paparazzi would catch wind of Jax and his fans would come for my head, I asked Ethan to move me to a private room.

Being surrounded by people recovering from hemorrhoid surgery wasn't exactly private.

But Ethan rejected me cold.

"No single rooms available. Stay or transfer."

"By the way, surgery is at 1:00 PM."

Great.

He is 100% holding a grudge. Petty ex.

He’s allowed to chase his Heiress First Love, but I can't have a hot pop star boyfriend?

If my other two Shifters showed up, he'd probably explode.

Jax, being a busy guy, insisted on waiting until my surgery was over.

His assistant had called ten times. He had a variety show recording at the local TV station tonight.

The lead surgeon was Ethan.

He wore a blue mask and surgical cap, revealing only his sharp brows and nose.

Right before the anesthesia hit, he started "casual" small talk.

"Is he good to you?"

The OR went silent.

He continued, pretending not to care.

"A job like his... he must be busy. Can he eat dinner with you every Friday? Does he watch a movie with you every week?"

My mouth twitched.

"Do I have to answer that, Doctor?"

Ethan’s hazel eyes dimmed.

"Just chatting. Do you want coconut chicken soup later?"

I almost lost it.

Bro, I'm getting my appendix removed. You're oscillating between jealous ex and catering service?

I wanted to ask if he’d been possessed.

But the anesthesia hit.

Everything went black.

Vaguely, I remembered what he meant.

I chased Ethan five years ago.

He was just an intern then. I used every trick in the book, pestering him until I got his number, then aggressively pursuing him for three months.

I finally turned him into my boyfriend.

Two years later, we got the marriage license.

His job meant he was busy.

But every week, he made time to eat with me. We’d walk home, pick a movie.

When I fell asleep halfway through, he’d gently carry me to bed.

How long did those happy days last?

Less than a year and a half...

When did the fighting start? I forgot.

I just remember realizing Ethan didn't love me.

There’s a saying: "Women chasing men is easy, like breaking through a veil."

But between Ethan and me... there was a wall. His "First Love."