“…you lied well.”

“I’m a fast learner.” The words had barely left my mouth when—

“Why?” I stilled. Slowly—

I turned. Adrian hadn’t moved closer. He was still standing near the curtain. But it felt like he had moved closer.

The distance between us—

Thinner. Sharper. But His gaze didn’t waver. Didn’t soften either. He sure Didn’t miss anything.

“Why what?” I asked, keeping my tone flat.

Neutral.Safe.

“Why protect me?”

Straight to it. No hesitation. No politeness. Just—

Seeking the Truth. My fingers tightened slightly around the chart in my hand. Because I didn’t have a clean answer. Not one I could say out loud either.

Not one that wouldn’t—

Break everything. “I protect all my patients,” I said finally. It sounded weak. Even to me. His eyes narrowed just slightly.

Not convinced. Of course he wasn’t. Even I wasn't. 

“…no,” he said quietly. “You don’t.”

My breath caught. Just for a second.

“You treat them,” he continued. “You don’t protect them.”

Each word landed heavier than the last. Measured. Certain. Like he’d already figured me out. Like I was—

Predictable.

“…and yet,” he added, tilting his head just slightly, “you told me not to move.”

My chest tightened.

That—

That was nothing. That was normal. Right? You do that and more to protect someone.

That was—

“You asked me to stay,” he corrected softly.

My jaw clenched. I hadn’t even realized the difference. Didn’t mean anything by it. Didn’t—

“…why?” he asked again.

Quieter now. Closer. Not physically. But somehow—

Closer. Say something. Anything. Deflect. Lie. Move. My thoughts scrambled for something solid—something believable—something—

“Doctor.”

My assistant’s voice cut in sharp. Immediately, Too fast. Whew~ I let out a breath, I didn't realize I was holding. I looked to the side, before looking at him again. Too timed. Saved by the bell, but in this case it would be by the assistant.

“…they’re asking for you again,” she added, stepping closer, her tone tight now. Controlled, but barely. “Front desk.”

I didn’t look at her. Didn’t break eye contact with Adrian. Not yet. Because something in Adrian’s expression had changed. Not frustration. Not annoyance. But Recognition. Like he’d noticed it too. The interruption. The timing. The—

Escape.

“…I’ll be right there,” I said finally, forcing my voice steady.

Then I turned. Because if I didn’t— 

I might’ve said something I couldn’t take back.

The moment we were out of earshot—

“What was that?” she hissed under her breath.

I shot her a look. “What was what?”

“Don’t do that,” she snapped quietly. “Not with him.”

My brow furrowed. “Do what?”

Her jaw tightened. “Whatever that was,” she said. “You don’t engage like that. Not with people like him.”

People like him. Right. Mafia. Dangerous. Unpredictable. Deadly. For a second, I almost thought she was racist. My lips pressed together briefly.

“…I handled it,” I muttered.

“You almost didn’t,” she shot back.

That—

That hit a little too close. Because she wasn’t wrong. I looked away first.

“Just… keep them busy,” I said instead. “I’ll finish here.”

Her eyes lingered on me for a second longer. Suspicious but also Worried.

Then—

“…fine,” she said quietly. “But if this goes wrong—”

“It won’t.”

I cut her off before she could finish. Not because I knew. But because I needed it to be true.

By the time I stepped back in—

He was already changed into new clothes, Of course he was. I'm guessing one of his lackeys brought a change of clothes for him.

“Didn’t I tell you not to move?” I said immediately, irritation slipping through before I could stop it.

His gaze flicked to me. Then down briefly—

To where his hand had been resting against his side. Protecting the wound.

“I heal quickly,” he said Flat. Unbothered. That wasn’t the point.

“That’s not—” I stopped myself, exhaling sharply. “Sit down.”

He didn’t. Of course he didn’t.

“…your men are coming back again,” I added instead.

That got a reaction. Subtle. But there.

“Of course, Good,” he said.  What did he mean by that?

Right on cue—

Footsteps. Familiar. His men reappeared at the door, scanning quickly before stepping in.

“All clear,” one of them said. “For now.”

Adrian didn’t look at them. Still watching me. Always watching me. What is it with him and staring?

“…we’re leaving,” he said.

Simple. Final. Like everything else he said. My chest tightened slightly. For no reason. For a reason I didn’t want to think about. I didn't want him to leave. But why didn't I want him to leave? I looked down briefly at this train of thought.

“…don’t reopen it,” I said instead, defaulting back to something safe. “And if you do, don’t wait this long next time.”

A pause. Then—

“…next time,” he repeated. Something about the way he said it—

Felt like a promise. Not a possibility. But Before I could respond—

They were already moving. Gone as quickly as they came. The door shut. And just like that—

He was gone.

Yet, not even a few minutes passed. I hear “Doctor.”

The voice came again.

Sharper this time. Less patient. I stepped out once more. The officers were back. Expressions tighter. Less convinced than before. What is wrong with them? Why are they so stubborn?

“We have a few more questions,” one of them said.

Of course they did. I glanced back once. The room behind me—

Empty. Clean. Like nothing had happened. Like he had never been there. Good.

That meant—

I did it. For now. I turned back, expression neutral.

“Then ask,” I said Calm and Steady.

Like I didn’t have anything to hide.

Even though—

Everything had already happened. And hiding it was going to prove a challenge.