In the capital, every inch of land costs a fortune. Renting a decent place wasn't cheap. But I had savings. During graduate school, I'd studied design and posted my work online. Over time, a following accumulated. Commissions filled my inbox constantly.
Adrian had always insisted my health was too fragile for work.
But now...
I opened my dashboard, scrolled through the requests, and picked a few that sparked my interest.
*Omg, Master! You actually replied!*
*Happy dance.jpg*
*Risveglio, add me on WeChat, let's talk details.*
*Okay!*
After finalizing everything, I threw myself into the work. Body and soul.
As expected, I worked myself right back into the hospital.
This time, my attending physician had changed. The name tag read *Dr. Simmons*.
"Did you bring your previous medical records?"
I handed over the file. He looked up. His eyes widened.
"Is there a problem, Doctor?"
"Senior Sister Fiona?"
"You know me?"
"Same year as Dr. Preston." A polite smile played on his lips. "Followed Senior Brother Adrian on a few projects too. You might not remember me. Mason Simmons."
The world really was too small.
...
Three days in the hospital. Neither Adrian nor Zoe appeared.
According to the nurses, they were away on a business trip.
Bored in my ward, I watched the TV mounted on the wall. An interview program was airing.
Adrian's face filled the screen.
"Being able to win this honor... I owe everything to my wife."
"She suffers from congenital heart disease." His voice dripped with rehearsed sincerity. "For her sake, I am willing to devote my entire life to cardiac surgery."
The same rhetoric.
Nauseating.
The nurse adjusting my IV drip sighed dreamily. "Miss Fiona, you are so blessed. Dr. Farley treats you so well."
She finished and left. Moments later, Dr. Simmons arrived for rounds. He glanced at the TV, a playful, almost mocking expression flickering across his face.
"So many years, and Senior Brother Adrian is still playing the same tune."
"Is that what you all think?"
Mason Simmons just smiled. No answer. "Your vitals are stable. Discharge in a couple of days."
"Mm."
The program droned on. Adrian spewed professional jargon that flew over the audience's heads. Then the host leaned in.
"Dr. Farley, you're so devoted to your wife. Presumably she's watching right now. Anything you'd like to say to her?"
Adrian picked up the microphone, wearing that same disgusting, soulful expression.