The evening sun painted the city gold as Aaron sat alone in his office, reviewing patient reports.

His phone suddenly rang.

The screen flashed:

Father.

Aaron sighed and picked it up.

"Hello?"

A deep voice answered.

"Come home tonight."

Aaron leaned back in his chair.

"Why?"

"My childhood best friend has arrived in Germany after many years. He invited the entire family for dinner."

Aaron remained silent.

His father continued.

"And bring everyone. You, Karl, Friedrich..."

Aaron almost laughed.

"Friedrich doesn't answer calls."

"Then find another way."

The call ended.

Aaron stared at the screen for a moment before opening his laptop.

He typed a short email.

Subject: Family Dinner.

Father wants everyone present tonight.

Come if you want.

— Aaron

He hit send.

At that exact moment the office door opened.

Divyanka walked in.

Her white coat was slightly wrinkled.

Her hair was messy.

She looked exhausted.

She dropped into the chair opposite him.

"Ahhhh..."

Aaron smiled.

"Tired?"

Divyanka stretched her arms.

"I did three surgeries today."

Aaron nodded.

"And?"

A huge grin appeared on her face.

"All three were successful!"

Aaron chuckled.

"I'm glad to hear that, babydoll."

Divyanka immediately pointed a finger at him.

"There!"

"There what?"

"Stop calling me babydoll!"

Aaron laughed.

Flashback

A few days earlier...

Aaron and Divyanka had been driving home after work.

They stopped at a traffic signal.

Divyanka suddenly pressed her face against the window.

"Oh my God!"

Aaron almost hit the brakes.

"What happened?!"

She pointed excitedly.

"A Barbie store!"

Aaron blinked.

"A what?"

"A Barbie store!"

She looked like an excited child.

"When I was little I used to play with dolls all day."

Aaron smiled.

"I can imagine."

Divyanka sighed dramatically.

"I always imagined I was a Barbie too."

Aaron looked at her.

"Well..."

She turned.

"What?"

"You are prettier than one."

Divyanka froze.

Aaron grinned.

"My gorgeous babydoll."

Her face turned completely red.

Present

"Anyway," Aaron said.

"I'm proud of you."

Divyanka smiled.

"Thank you."

Aaron stood.

"Will you come somewhere with me tonight?"

She tilted her head.

"Where?"

"A family function."

Divyanka nearly fell from her chair.

"WHAT?!"

Aaron laughed.

"Yes."

"A FAMILY FUNCTION?!"

"Yes."

"AARON!"

He couldn't stop laughing.

Inside, however, he was completely serious.

I love this girl.

I'm going to marry her.

No matter what.

Aaron walked around the desk.

Divyanka suddenly looked nervous.

"But..."

"What?"

"I'm not part of your family."

Aaron stopped in front of her.

Then gently placed a hand on her head.

He kissed her forehead softly.

Divyanka immediately looked away.

Aaron smiled.

"Aren't I your boyfriend?"

"Y-yes..."

"And aren't you my girlfriend?"

"Y-yes..."

He lifted her chin gently.

Then whispered near her ear.

"Then you're already family, babydoll."

Divyanka's heart almost exploded.

"And I'm going to marry you one day."

Her face turned bright red.

"So..."

Aaron smiled.

"Are you coming tonight?"

Divyanka nodded quickly.

"Yes."

Meanwhile...

Karl received the invitation only a few hours before dinner.

Aaron had called him.

"You'll come, right?"

Karl was silent.

Aaron cleared his throat.

"Alone?"

Karl smirked.

"Why?"

Aaron coughed.

"I mean... Kavira thinks she's divorced."

A dangerous smile appeared on Karl's face.

"Then she won't think that anymore."

Aaron immediately understood.

"Oh no."

Karl hung up.

One Hour Later

Kavira's apartment.

Karl stood outside her door.

Waiting.

And waiting.

And waiting.

Thirty minutes passed.

Finally.

The elevator doors opened.

Kavira stepped out carrying files.

The moment she saw him—

She froze.

Then immediately ignored him.

Karl sighed.

"There she goes."

Kavira unlocked her apartment.

Opened the door.

Walked inside.

And was about to close it.

Karl's hand stopped the door.

Slowly.

Very slowly.

Kavira looked up.

Her patience snapped.

"WHAT?!"

Karl raised an eyebrow.

"Are you ignoring me?"

"YES!"

She pushed the door.

Karl didn't move.

Kavira groaned.

"I'M DONE WITH YOU!"

"What do you want now?!"

Karl looked directly into her eyes.

"I know you lost the case intentionally."

Kavira froze.

"..."

"I know you did it to protect me."

Her expression hardened.

Karl continued softly.

"So I came here to say thank you."

For a second.

Just one second.

Her heart softened.

Then she remembered herself.

And exploded.

"OH REALLY?!"

Karl nodded.

"Yes."

"THEN TAKE THAT THANK YOU—"

She pointed outside.

"AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR ASS!"

Karl stared.

Then burst out laughing.

Kavira looked horrified.

"WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?!"

Karl shrugged.

"Because you're cute when you're angry."

"GET OUT!"

Karl casually pointed inside the apartment.

"I brought your favorite white sauce pasta."

Kavira immediately stopped.

"..."

Karl smirked.

"..."

Kavira looked away.

"...Thank you."

Karl's smile widened.

Then her brain finally processed his sentence.

Her eyes widened.

She slowly turned.

"Wait."

Karl remained silent.

Kavira narrowed her eyes.

"How do you know there's pasta on my dinner table?"

Karl smiled.

Very slowly.

Very dangerously.

Kavira's eyes widened.

"HOW DID YOU GET INSIDE MY HOUSE?!"

Karl crossed his arms.

"Simple."

Kavira looked horrified.

Karl leaned closer.

"As easy as burning your divorce papers, sweetheart."

Silence.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three.

Then—

"WHAT?!"

Karl immediately stepped back.

Because he knew something was about to be thrown at his head.

And judging by the look in Kavira's eyes...

It was probably going to hurt.

To be continued...