"I am sorry it had to be this way. You were my best student. All you have to do is diagnose the patients and let the doctors take over. Also, stay out of the CEO's sight," Dr. Miss added before walking away.
"At least you are no longer a threat… for now," John added with a chuckle as he left. Patricia stood there, stunned by how the hospital truly operated. How could so much animosity and bitterness exist in a place meant to be built on care and compassion? It felt as though patients' lives were treated more like trophies than responsibilities. For some reason, it reminded her so much of high school and how she was always bullied. She hoped it was nothing like that, it took her a long time to finally find her courage after being bullied so badly.
…
When she got home, Patricia was so exhausted she immediately drifted off into a nap. Later in the evening, the sound of her phone ringing stirred her awake. It was Zara.
'Hello! I got his number. He says you can meet up this weekend. I will send you his contact so you two can talk,' Zara announced the moment Patricia answered. The news lifted Patricia's spirits. Finally, something good after such a draining day.
'Thank you, Zara. I hope it wasn't too stressful?' She asked, genuinely concerned.
'What do you think?' Zara groaned. 'I had to kiss up to some of those annoying guys just to get it. But it's fine, I would do it again for you,' she added, her tone shifting from irritation to excitement.
'Would you be free to meet him with me this weekend?' Patricia asked.
'Who do you think chose the weekend? Of course we are going together,' Zara replied, making Patricia sigh in relief.
*Grumble*
Her stomach suddenly made a loud protest, reminding her she hadn't eaten. After hanging up, she made her way to the kitchen to prepare something.
After cooking, she glanced at her phone and it was just past 7 p.m., meaning she hadn't slept for long.
Just as she was about to start eating, Roman appeared in the kitchen and placed a box in front of her.
"In two weeks, we will be attending a family dinner. You will be wearing this," he divulged, not even greeting her first.
Patricia stood up, puzzled. "Why get me a dress for something that's still two weeks away?" She asked. A dress could easily be gotten a day before the event, why the urgency?
"My family has a strict dress code. Everyone's been given theirs. This is yours," he replied. She muttered a quiet "ohh" and opened the box to check the contents.
"I will be away for two weeks. If you need anything, Maria will help. You are free to leave the house, but you must inform Kay of your whereabouts," he added.
She blinked, confused by his tone, but what struck her wasn't just that he was leaving for two weeks, it was that he expected her to report her whereabouts, while saying nothing about his own. That didn't sit right with her.
"I don't think that's necessary. I don't know where you are headed, and I don't care," she said, her tone cold and final. Silence filled the room for a moment before he finally spoke.
"I am the head of this house. I will decide what you do, as long as you are my wife."
That made her blood boil. It wasn't enough that he wielded his power shamelessly at the hospital, now he wanted to control her too?
"I am only your wife for the next two months, and we have a deal. Controlling me was never part of it," she snapped, holding his gaze without flinching. The air between them thickened with tension, each fighting their own internal war.
"If you didn't want to be controlled, you shouldn't have taken your sister's place and forced this marriage," he shot back.
Her expression hardened into a frown. He was unbelievable at the moment. Did he truly believe she wanted this marriage? Why couldn't he see it for what it was, a trap her stepmother had pulled them both into?
"I have told you, I don't want to be your wife. I don't care if you believe me or not. You will see it for yourself in two months," she said angrily, her clenched fists resting on the table.
Realizing she wasn't going to make things easy, he asked, "Would you prefer to be followed, or will you just tell Kay your movements?"
She scoffed and walked out without a word, suddenly losing her appetite. Not responding was a response in itself. He could tail her for all she cared but she wasn't going to let him control her. Not now, not ever.
She returned to her room, but barely five minutes had passed when hunger struck again, this time stronger, sharper. She began to regret walking away from her food. She considered going back to eat it, but how could she do that now, after such a bold display of defiance? It would make her look weak. Glancing at her phone, she remembered she could simply order something. She opened a food app, but most restaurants had already closed for the day. Only a noodle place was still open.
With no other option, she placed an order. Delivery time: 20 minutes.
A few minutes later, her phone vibrated.
It read: Your food has been delivered.
Excited and eager to eat, she made her way to the front door, only to see Kay rushing out of the house, looking frantic, like he was searching for something. She frowned, bothered. Her eyes instinctively shifted toward the stairs. Could this have something to do with Roman? The image of his pale face and the sweat on his face flashed in her mind. Was he sick?
"Miss Patricia, this came in for you," Maria said, walking over and handing her the food.
"Ah, thank you," she replied, accepting the package. Just as Maria turned to leave, Patricia stopped her.
"Do you know if he's okay?" She asked, referring to Roman, a qualification Maria was already used to.
"Mr. Roman caught a chill and is currently self-medicating. He doesn't want anyone to know, so he asked us not to worry," Maria explained.
Patricia let out a quiet sigh, her expression saying exactly what was on her mind: I knew it. If stubborn was a person, it had to be him. He would rather self-medicate than let her treat him.