Since Angus's injury, he hadn't left the house. His days followed a dull routine—reading, watching the news—nothing exciting. But then Liesa, the physical therapist, moved in, and he found a new form of amusement:
He wondered just how absurd a person could get.
After hours of mindlessly watching TV, he switched it off, feeling sure her so-called "promises" were just a joke. Anyone who could choke on their own toothbrush wouldn't last long, even without him throwing her to the sharks.
Liesa slept soundly that night at the Romano mansion. The next morning, she woke up early, determined to face the day. To avoid further provoking Angus, she deliberately chose not to wear her white coat. Instead, she wore a light blue sweater, paired with jeans and sneakers.
Standing before the mirror, she looked at her reflection, blinking at her innocent face. A smile tugged at her lips as she admired herself. It was almost embarrassing—she had been selected as an assistant by one of the top psychologists, simply because of her harmless appearance. The doctor believed her looks would put patients at ease, so she'd been entrusted with more responsibility.
she thought, as her smile faded. Despite handling countless cases, she never became the best psychologist. Facing a difficult patient now, she felt like she was stumbling through the dark. The thought of dealing with him made her dread the day ahead.
Meanwhile, Angus sat in his bedroom, watching as Liesa made faces at herself in the mirror. One moment, she was frowning; the next, she was pulling exaggerated expressions. When her nostrils filled the screen, Angus couldn't hold back any longer. He slammed the remote and turned off the TV.
Sam, observing carefully, spoke up in a low voice, "Sir, should I ask Dr. Valtieri to leave now?"
Yesterday, when Angus had called him with this decision, Sam had felt a hint of regret. But now, seeing how strange Liesa truly was, he began to think Angus's decision was the right one.
"No need. Let her stay," Angus replied, his voice as cold as ever.
The butler, confused, didn't understand Angus's change of heart. But after catching the look in his eyes, he nodded. "Understood… Mr. Romano, would you like to head to the rehab room now?"
"Let's go." Angus's tone was indifferent. How else could he ensure she ended up as shark food? Those sharks he kept weren't going to get a taste of human flesh unless he helped the process along.
Sam nodded but was interrupted when his communicator buzzed in his pocket. With an apologetic smile, he checked the message after receiving Angus's confirmation. The moment he saw it, his expression changed.
"What is it?" Angus asked, his curiosity piqued.
Sam hesitated, discomfort written all over his face. "Miss Swanson has arrived. How should we proceed?"
A flicker of coldness passed through Angus's eyes. "Let her in."
"Ok, sir." Sam quickly began to wheel Angus over, his eyes scanning the chair to make sure it hadn't been touched by "dirty hands" from the previous day. Once satisfied, he assisted Angus into it with a brisk motion.
Liesa had already arrived at the rehab room early, but after waiting for what felt like an eternity, she still hadn't seen Angus.
Passing through the hallway, she overheard a soft voice from downstairs. "Angus, you have to understand... If it weren't for... I really want to marry you, but my mother's threatening to disown me. I can't go against her wishes."
Liesa couldn't help but smirk. She continued on, careful to stay quiet.
"Take her out," Angus's cold voice commanded.
"Wait! I'm not done yet!" The woman's voice cracked as she looked at him, her eyes filled with desperation and tears. From Liesa's spot in the hallway, the woman appeared fragile, playing the part of an innocent damsel in distress.
"Even though I'm engaged to Silas Romano, I'll always keep a place for you in my heart. If one day—" Her voice trailed off in a choked sob, and she lowered her head, hiding behind a veil of tears.
Angus's expression darkened, a flicker of disdain crossing his face. "Miss Swanson, you're mistaken. We hardly know each other. Why tell me all this?"
"Angus," the woman, Nina Swanson, looked up at him, her eyes pleading. "I know you have feelings for me. Right now, it's just because of your injury, but you should know that no matter what you say, you'll always be the one I can never replace."
Nina had fallen for him at one of the Romano family's galas, back when Angus was the golden child, untouchable and living among the stars. She, on the other hand, was just the daughter of a newly wealthy family. She had pursued him relentlessly, always feeling inferior.
Things were different now. Angus had fallen from grace, and Nina's father had used his money to secure her engagement to Silas Romano, the Romano family's eldest son. In the blink of an eye, their roles had reversed. Now, Nina had the courage to confess her feelings.
Angus glanced down at his legs, still covered by a blanket. His expression remained calm but distant. He turned to look at Nina, his voice as cold as ice. "What exactly do you think you are?" His tone was casual, but the arrogance behind it could knock someone down in an instant.
Nina's face paled. She couldn't understand why things weren't going as she had imagined. He was in such a miserable state now—didn't he owe her gratitude for still loving him?
With a soft sigh, she dripped with pity. "Angus, I know you're not thinking clearly, but I'm not angry. You've been alone in this house for so long. I'm sure you'd like some company. I can be here for you whenever you need..."
"No need, Miss Swanson," Liesa's voice cut in with a smooth, quiet smile. She stepped into the room, her eyes narrowing with barely concealed irritation. She had no intention of playing the hero, but Nina's endless prattling was only making Angus more agitated.