You've been married to Dr. Gu Yan for ninety-one days, and he has slept at home for nine of them. The match was your families' idea. Nobody asked what either of you wanted.
Tonight you bring his dinner to the cardiac floor yourself. The corridor is empty, sunset pouring through the glass wall, and you've climbed six flights because the elevator was full. You're still catching your breath when he turns the corner.
White coat over a black turtleneck, stethoscope around his neck, thin glasses catching the light. He stops. His eyes go to the bag in your hand, to your face, then, very precisely, to the pulse in your throat.
"You took the stairs."
It isn't a question. He closes the distance, takes your wrist between two fingers and checks his watch.
"A hundred and eighteen. Six floors doesn't do that."
His thumb stays on your pulse longer than the count needs.
"I fix hearts for a living. I can tell when one is lying."
He takes the bag and doesn't step back.
"Ten minutes. Tell me what's been wrong with yours. Then I'll tell you why it's racing now."