Dr. Teer—or Dr. Teerapat Kulnarat, the renowned surgeon—placed his phone on the desk in his private room at Bangkok Health Hospital. The screen flashed briefly, revealing a wallpaper of him and his wife before fading to black. He then headed straight to the operating room.
Bright lights from the surgical lamps gleamed off the spotless stainless steel walls. The scent of antiseptic filled the prep area, accompanied by faint clinks of instruments on the sidewall table.
Teerapat, with his tall and imposing frame, arrived at the scrub station. He removed his wristwatch and wedding ring, placing them on a stainless tray, then turned on warm water. He scrubbed his nails and wrists meticulously, following the drilled routine. The sound of running water harmonized with the rhythmic rubbing of his palms, systematically working up to his elbows.
"Big case today, Dr. Teer," a sweet voice called from behind.
It belonged to Koi, a junior surgical nurse in light blue scrubs. Her slender, graceful figure stood out, with strands of light brown hair peeking from under her cap. She stopped beside him, flashing an inviting smile.
"Yes, Koi. It's quite complex."
Teerapat replied politely and briefly. Despite his senior status in the OR, he always addressed everyone with respect, using "khun." The 40-year-old surgeon met her eyes momentarily before focusing back on scrubbing.
Koi placed sterile gloves and drapes on the table nearby, leaning in slightly until her shoulder nearly brushed his arm.
"You must be exhausted today," she said softly, as if aiming for intimacy.
Teerapat nodded, smiled at the junior nurse, and reached for sterile towels to dry his hands thoroughly.
"I'm used to it," he said humbly.
Once gloved, Teerapat entered the OR. Instruments arranged in position; the patient's heart monitor beeped steadily.
Despite the alluring presence of the beautiful assistant nurse nearby, Teerapat remained unmoved. In his mind, only Prao Napa's bright smile and sparkling eyes lingered—the wife he loved and respected since they started dating and married.
Teerapat first met Prao Napa five years ago, when she was 25 and he exactly ten years older. They crossed paths at a medical conference gathering experts from various institutions.
In the grand ballroom of a luxury hotel in central Bangkok, the atmosphere buzzed with knowledge exchange. Conversations mingled with faint clinks of ice in glasses from the beverage tables.
Amid the crowd, Teerapat's gaze halted on a young woman in a simple dark suit. Her long black hair tied neatly; she focused intently on lecture notes. Her refined, makeup-free face radiated determination and warmth.
Teerapat wasn't inexperienced with women, but neither was he a playboy. The young surgeon dated seriously—one at a time. If incompatible, they parted amicably. He'd had several relationships but never found someone to spend his life with.
Yet seeing Prao Napa felt like a powerful pull he'd never experienced. He discreetly asked her name from an acquaintance and approached.
"Hello... Dr. Prao Napa, right?" he asked as she waited for registration documents. She looked up, a soft smile touching her lips; her large, beautiful eyes met his politely.
"Yes, I'm Dr. Prao Napa. And you?"
"Teerapat Kulnarat," he extended his hand Western-style. She smiled and shook it gently.
That simple touch left a warm spark in the seasoned man's heart—like discovering new light.
They discussed medical topics extensively that day. Fresh graduate Prao Napa brimmed with energy, knowledge, confidence, and rare genuine warmth in a competitive world.
After the conference, they exchanged contacts. Talks started professionally, gradually turning personal. The more they connected, the deeper Teerapat fell into her charm.
Prao Napa didn't resist; she'd dated before and recognized his interest went beyond colleagues. She admired his polite confidence, sharp yet respectful intelligence, and skill without arrogance—rare qualities. Many suitors wanted only physical access.
Unlike Teerapat, who always respected her boundaries—that deeply impressed her. His handsome face and tall, smart build were bonuses.
Their relationship progressed gradually: from senior-junior, to close friends, to lovers.
After nearly two years dating, Dr. Teer proposed.
Their wedding drew attention in medical circles: a rising surgeon paired with a beautiful, beloved internist—like golden branch and jade leaf.
Teerapat never pried into his young wife's past, but learning he was her first after marriage made him surrender completely. He couldn't imagine a more perfect woman than Prao Napa.
His consistent devotion over nearly three married years gave Prao Napa profound marital happiness. Even intimately—despite her inexperience—her senior husband taught her sensuality patiently. In their bedroom, Teerapat never rushed or made her feel dutiful. Every touch was gentle, enduring, detailed—like performing critical surgery without error. Being her first and only allowed her to shed shyness and respond wholeheartedly with joy.
She never imagined surrendering fully to anyone, but with Teerapat, it wasn't defeat—it was entrusting her life to someone she trusted utterly.
Their marriage flowed smoothly... yet quiet waves began forming in the hospital—waves Prao Napa remained unaware of, ones that would forever alter her and Teerapat's lives.
Dr. Prao Napa finished inpatient rounds. Heading back to the doctors' lounge for afternoon outpatients, she encountered an older man.
"Hello, Doctor," he greeted.
"Hello, Professor Anuwat," the young doctor replied.
"Just finished rounds?"
Prof. Dr. Anuwat—or "Professor Doctor Anuwat," director of Bangkok Medical Hospital—asked. The doctor smiled.
"Yes." She answered briefly as they walked toward the outpatient building together. The gowned woman unaware that the mature director stole glances with eyes unfit for a married lady.