"I heard from the nurse that Lucas came to find trouble with you. Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" Mike asked as he stepped into the room around noon, his voice tight with worry. His brows furrowed and his eyes scanned me from head to toe, like a protective older brother on full alert.
I flinched slightly and instinctively raised my hand to adjust the collar of my gown, trying to hide the faint bruises on my neck. My fingers trembled. "I'm okay," I murmured, forcing a small smile. "He didn't do anything serious. He just… threw the annulment papers at me. I'll sign them and return them soon. Don't worry."
I hoped he didn't catch the tremor in my voice—the way it cracked at the edges.
Why am I so bad at lying?
Mike's eyes narrowed. "You… you're going to sign it? Just like that?" His voice held disbelief, his expression frozen in shock. "You used to do everything you could to hold on to him. You even went to war with older brothers for that man."
I looked away, clenching the fabric of my blanket. "Why wouldn't I? He was rude… arrogant… like I was nothing. There's no way I'm marrying someone who looks at me with hatred in his eyes. I don't care how handsome he is or how rich. That's not love. That's poison."
Silence stretched between us before Mike finally nodded, his gaze softening. "Okay. If that's how you feel."
He understood now—this Mia wasn't the same stubborn, prideful girl he once knew. The Mia he remembered would've fought tooth and nail, thrown tantrums, and burned bridges before ever letting Lucas go. But this one… she just let it be.
Never mind. If she decided to let go of Lucas, there is no way I would disagree. How much I hope for this day to happen that she finally sees Lucas's attitude toward her.
***
"She's recovering well and can be discharged tomorrow morning after one final check-up," Doctor Leon announced, flipping through the chart with calm precision. "I've also scheduled an initial consultation with the psychiatry department. They'll reach out soon with the time and details. For now, get as much rest as you can and try to avoid unnecessary stress."
He adjusted his sleek gold glasses, which somehow made him look even more like the cool, untouchable type you see in medical dramas—the kind who always has the answers but keeps his emotions on lockdown.
I let out a quiet sigh of relief. Honestly, the idea of staying another day in this five-star hospital suite sounds luxurious, but emotionally? Not so much. I was beginning to feel like a sitting duck, just waiting for another explosive character from Mia's past to barge in and make things worse.
"Mike," Doctor Leon turned with a faint, knowing smile, "why don't you join me for a coffee? There are a few things I'd like to discuss."
Wait. Was that a smile? So they do know each other.
"Sure," Mike said, before turning to me. "I'll be back soon, Mia. Want me to bring anything to eat?"
There it was again—that soft, worried look of his. My heart gave a small, uninvited flutter. How is it even fair that someone this handsome is supposed to be my twin brother?
Mia… were you a war hero or a saint in your past life?
"I'm fine, don't worry," I said with a small smile. "Honestly, I don't think I can crave anything right now. Not when I've been eating gourmet hospital meals like some pampered heiress."
He gave a light chuckle before following Doctor Leon out the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts—and a little too much silence.
***
There's a hidden oasis nestled within the top floor of Lumora University Medical Center—a sanctuary reserved only for the elite. More like a luxury resort than a hospital wing, it was created for VIP patients and their families to find comfort.
The Velvet Garden Lounge – For Our Most Treasured Guests.
Sunlight spilled like liquid gold through a massive skylight, bathing the botanical atrium in a warm, dreamlike glow. Towering glass walls revealed the city skyline, but within these walls, time seemed to pause. A koi pond shimmered at the heart of the lounge, its gentle ripples echoing the serene trickle of flowing water. Surrounding it were plush circular seats in deep emerald velvet, and marble tables adorned with fresh-cut peonies in elegant crystal vases. Soft piano music played in the background, weaving through the gentle murmur of conversation.
At the Gilded Café, a barista in crisp white attire handed a guest a shimmering lavender latte, the drink catching the light like morning dew. Nearby, the dessert table looked like something out of a royal banquet: pastel macarons, glossy chocolate truffles, dainty tarts, and a golden fondue fountain pouring liquid temptation.
Anyone who stepped inside uttered the same thing in awe:
"It's like a garden from a fantasy book."
Then came the soft chime of the private elevator. Every head snapped toward the sound. Murmurs died away.
Doctor Leon stepped out, his signature gold-rimmed glasses catching the light, his pristine white coat showed not a single crease. But the attention wasn't just on him. Beside him walked a young man whose presence alone seemed to shift the air in the room—Mike, tall, broad-shouldered, with striking blue eyes and god-like face that came straight out of a fantasy novel.
Gasps and whispers rippled through the luxury lounge.
"Who is that? So handsome… is he a celebrity?"
"Oh my god—is that Mike from the Ceneric family?"
"How can someone look like a sculpture carved by angels…"
Doctor Leon ignored the stares with practiced ease, pointing calmly toward his usual table. "This way," he said to Mike, who followed without flinching beneath the barrage of admiring eyes.
Once seated, a staff member approached, her hands slightly trembling as she offered a gold-trimmed menu. "Please let us know if you'd like a customized meal or anything else. We'll take care of everything," she said, trying to steady her breath.
Mike gave a soft smile. "Two coffees will do."
As the server walked away, still blushing, Doctor Leon's expression darkened.
"I heard from the head nurse," he said, voice low but sharp. "Lucas came looking for trouble. He tried to strangle Mia. There were bruises—faint, but there."
Mike clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening.
"And where are Matteo and Martin? Why haven't they shown up? Their silence is shameful."
Mike's eyes dropped. "I… don't know what to say. Mia… brought this on herself, in some ways. She drugged Lucas. Making the eldest and second brother mad. I don't blame them for being angry."
But even as he said it, the words felt wrong. He couldn't erase the image of her—those wide, tearful eyes that looked nothing like the arrogant sister he used to know. They held no deception. No pride. Only fear… and innocence.
"Do you think she's faking it?" Mike asked, his voice low and unsure, eyes fixed on the untouched cup of coffee in front of him.
Doctor Leon leaned back slightly, swirling his drink before taking a slow sip. The steam curled around his gold-rimmed glasses. "If she is," he said, thoughtfully, "then she deserves an Oscar."
Mike's brows furrowed.
Leon set the cup down and crossed his arms. "The way she speaks. The softness in her tone. Her eyes—used to be sharp, proud, always watching for a fight. But now? They're… calm. Innocent. There's no edge to them anymore." He shook his head. "Unless she trained under the best acting coach in the world, it's impossible to fake that kind of change."
Mike remained silent, his fingers clenching slightly on the table. Deep down, he still couldn't fully believe it. This was Mia—his stubborn, fiery sister. The girl who once burned with ambition and pride. The same girl who chased Lucas obsessively, argued with everyone, and never once apologized.
Now she spoke gently. Looked lost. Flinched when someone raised their voice.
It made no sense.
As if reading his thoughts, Doctor Leon offered a small, sly smile—one corner of his lips lifting just enough to show a faint dimple. Mischief sparkled in his eyes. "You still don't believe her, do you?"
Mike glanced away, guilty.
"Then let's test her," Leon said, tapping his finger against the table.
Mike looked back, curious. "How?"
Leon's smile deepened. "A simple memory trigger. We'll bring up something only the real Mia would react to. Something that would set her off instantly, no matter how much she tries to hide it."
Mike raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
Leon chuckled softly. "Leave that to me. I've known the Ceneric family long enough—been best friends with Matteo since high school. I know exactly which button to push."
Mike's jaw tightened. "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"
"I'm a doctor," Leon replied, lifting his cup again, "but I never said I wasn't entertained."
He sipped his coffee and gave Mike a wink. ""Let's see if she's really changed… or just pretending".