Chapter 7

“Smells like you’re trying to make coffee. Morning coffee is great. Yeah, the smell’s really nice.”

Suji kept mumbling to herself, smiling awkwardly and nodding. Even so, she still wouldn’t look Lucas in the eye.

“Did you have another meeting with Professor Crowell today.”

“What.”

“I asked if you met Professor Crowell.”

“No. I didn’t have a meeting with him today.”

“As expected, there won’t be any disciplinary action against you. So stop worrying about that.”

“Wow, that’s such a relief.”

Why is she acting so awkward.

The coffee finished brewing and filled the glass pot. Lucas watched her quietly, then finally picked up the cup.

“Want some coffee.”

“Oh, no.”

Silence fell again.

“If you’ve got things to do, go ahead. Don’t mind me.”

“Okay.”

Lucas pressed his lips to the cup while looking at Suji. Whether she noticed or not, she hurried away toward the shared computer.

What’s with this weird vibe.

He’d never observed Park Suji this long before, so he couldn’t be certain. But something was definitely different about her today.

“I’m getting ready for pre-round.”

“Alright.”

Suji gave a stiff, awkward smile.

Even while drinking, Lucas kept turning his head toward her. He wasn’t sure what her deal was today. She kept glancing at him, almost like she wanted to say something, yet also like she was avoiding him. It was irritatingly noticeable.

“Do you have something to say to me.”

“No. Not at all.”

“Mm.”

Did something happen in her personal life. Something she wouldn’t tell him. And even if it did, it wasn’t his place to pry.

Lucas was lowering his cup when the lounge door swung open. Fimm and Liam rushed inside.

“Suji. You’re here…”

Fimm, who had started shouting, froze at the sight of Lucas washing his cup.

“I’m sorry, Dr. Harrington. I didn’t know you were here.”

Lucas shrugged like it was nothing. The two hurried over to Suji and began massaging her shoulders. Suji tried to wave them off, insisting she was fine, but they kept kneading her like overprotective siblings.

Lucas’s gaze slid to Liam, whose hands rested on Suji’s shoulders. His brow creased.

No matter how close they are, that’s crossing a line between men and women.

“Suji, you wanna go eat something good today. Or maybe catch a movie.”

Fimm leaned in to study Suji’s expression.

“I’m gonna go home and rest. I didn’t sleep well and I’m tired.”

“Then Liam and I can bring food and hang out at your place.”

“Next time. I’ll invite you next time.”

Suji kept her eyes glued to the EMR screen.

“Suji, how about we go for a drive instead. You know I got a new car.”

“I appreciate the offer, Liam, but maybe next time. I really just want to go home today.”

Liam and Suji exchanged looks, both looking progressively gloomier.

“I’m heading out first. See you later.”

And with that, Suji left the lounge, leaving Lucas, Fimm, and Liam behind. The three stared at the door with completely different expressions.

* * *

Lucas let out a quiet sigh in the hallway. He tilted his head slightly.

“Dr. Park. Stop hiding and come out.”

A small face slowly peeked out from behind the wall. Lucas didn’t say anything else and simply gestured for her to come closer. When Suji did, she looked like a student being dragged in front of the principal.

“If you’re gonna hide, at least do it properly.”

“Yes. I’ll do better next time.”

What in the world is she talking about.

Lucas frowned a little and looked at the way she was shrinking in front of him.

“I’m not asking because it bothers me. I just want to know the reason.”

“…”

“Why won’t you look me in the eyes. Is something wrong with your eyes.”

“Me.”

Even then, she refused to look up at him.

“Lift your head.”

Suji obeyed and raised her head, yet her gaze stayed fixed downward in the strangest way.

“Look at me. It’s not like you freeze up every time we talk.”

“That’s true but…”

Her eyes darted upward, then immediately dropped again. At this point, she was even holding her breath.

“What are you doing.”

“I’m sorry, Dr. Harrington. I just got a really urgent call.”

She threw the words out like she was tossing a grenade, then sprinted away as fast as she could.

Lucas stared blankly at her retreating figure before letting out a soft laugh.

* * *

No. Not yet.

After escaping from Lucas at full speed, Suji ducked into the emergency stairwell and tried to catch her breath.

Every time she saw Lucas her heart refused to calm down, so she’d decided to avoid him as much as possible. Out of sight, out of mind. If she stopped seeing him, maybe she’d stop liking him.

But that was easier said than done. There were plenty of staff in general surgery, yet somehow she kept crossing paths with him.

Still, she couldn’t keep letting her feelings run wild. She had to unclench her heart. She had to pull herself away.

But her heart still dropped the moment their eyes met. His scent alone made her chest twist painfully.

What was she supposed to do.

She didn’t know. All she could do was hope time would fix it.

* * *

In front of the Harrington family’s main house on the Upper East Side. Lucas took in the massive mansion, towering with its usual intimidating grandeur. He’d grown up here, yet he felt nothing for it.

He’d thought he had no reason to come back, but that had been wishful thinking.

He’d gotten a call that his mother, Elizabeth, was throwing a fit at home again. He couldn’t just ignore it. So even though he’d come straight from a shift and was exhausted, he made his way here.

And his grandfather Charles had also insisted that Lucas check in at least once. There were things he needed confirmation on.

“Dr. Harrington. You’re here.”

“Ms. Dunham. It’s been a while.”

Claire Dunham. She’d once been Jonathan Harrington’s secretary but now worked as Elizabeth’s personal aide. Just over forty, unmarried, rational, and cold by nature. She almost never showed emotion, which was something Lucas respected deeply. After years working for Jonathan, she’d seen every ugly thing imaginable. Maybe that was why she barely reacted to Elizabeth’s episodes.

Claire welcomed Lucas and began updating him.

“Mrs. Harrington’s condition has gotten worse. She’s had several episodes of self-harm so we have staff watching her twenty-four hours a day.”

“…”

Lucas exhaled long and heavy. When had Elizabeth fallen this far. The woman who once loved him fiercely, who would’ve given him anything including her own rib, felt like a ghost now.

Much of her collapse stemmed from Jonathan. The lies that never ended, the hypocrisy, the constant affairs. Even the strongest woman would crumble under a husband whose life revolved around betrayal.

Lucas lifted his eyes. The high ceilings, the grand chandelier, the spotless family portraits. He glanced at the fireplace mantle lined with Jonathan’s trophies.

Something felt off. He tilted his head slightly.

There were fewer trophies now. And the carpet looked new too, completely different from the one that used to sit there for years.

“Mr. Harrington said there were too many things on display, so I put most of them away. And I suggested the new carpet. I thought it would brighten the mood a little.”

“I see.”

She’d tried to make the house feel warmer, but there was no warmth anywhere.

Elizabeth Harrington lounged on the dark brown leather sofa, sprawled out like a discarded doll. She turned her head at the sound of footsteps and spotted Lucas.

“Oh my. Look who it is. My brilliant son. What brings the busiest man in the world to this humble place.”

There was a red wine bottle dangling from her hand. Lucas exchanged a brief look with Claire.