HIS CLUMSY NURSE

Book 22

"Send someone else as soon as you can ," I heard Ryan say into a call. Before I could fully process his words, he stepped into his luxurious car and drove off.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched everyone else leave with their loved ones. Once again, I had been rejected.

I cried until the sky grew darker, fear creeping into my heart. I had no good money, no idea where to go, and nowhere to turn. I was utterly stranded.

Finally, I wiped my tears and walked over to where a group of homeless people had gathered. Dropping my duvet on the floor, they helped me spread it out properly, and I sat beside them.

One of the woman's children was already lying on my duvet.

"Don't mind your husband. Men are all like that," she said. I nodded weakly.

I decided I would return to Korea tomorrow. The shame of telling my mom or Diana was unbearable. Maybe I should just sleep and forget all this for a while. I lay beside the baby, ready to close my eyes and escape my sorrow when a car suddenly stopped in front of us.

"I think your husband is back," the woman said, and my eyes shot open.

The driver didn't step out immediately. I sat up, squinting to see who it was.

Finally....Ryan. My tears fell silently. he finally stepped out and walked toward me.

"Let's go," he said.

I smiled through my tears, then stood up. I waved at the woman and her children, and they waved back.

"Thank you," I whispered, handing her all the money left in my purse since I no longer needed it. She smiled at me as I hurried into Ryan's car. Without a word, he started the engine and drove off.

I sat silently, stealing glances at him, wondering why he had come back.

Exhaustion took over, and soon I dozed off.

When I opened my eyes, we were pulling up to the most extravagant penthouse I had ever seen. There was a sprawling swimming pool, numerous luxury cars, and guards dressed in sharp black suits.

Wow.

Ryan stepped out of the car without saying a word, phone in hand. I followed him inside, trying to keep up.

"That's your room," he said, pointing to a door just before the staircase with his car key.

I nodded.

" you are not allowed to come up these stairs, don't do it" he added curtly.

"Why? Do they lead to heaven?" I  snapped , He scoffed in disbelief.

"Don't talk to me . Talking is not allowed too" he  said in a calm but rude tone.

I covered my mouth with my fingers, nodding.

"4 a.m.," he added.

I froze. "Wait, what?!"

Ignoring me, Ryan walked up the stairs to his room and slammed the door shut.

The hatred he has for me is so obvious. Why do I feel like he only came back because it was midnight.

Even if he requests a nurse, his new nurse wouldn't arrive for another two weeks? This means I have two weeks to win his heart.

I opened the door to my room and gasped. It was breathtakingly classy. Jumping onto the plush bed, I giggled as it bounced me up. Unable to resist, I started jumping on it like a child.

The sudden ring of the landline startled me, and I almost fell off the bed as I rushed to answer it. Clearing my throat, I adopted my most professional tone.

"Yes, sir," I said.

"Are you... normal?" Ryan's voice came through, laced with confusion .

"Certainly, sir," I replied, forcing calm into my voice.

He sighed tiredly. "Stop jumping on the bed, Clara."

"Yes—" The line went dead before I could finish.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. From now on, I would act professional. Completely professional.

TONY'S POV

I watched quietly from the corner as Anna's father gently patted her hair. A steady stream of visitors had come to see her today, including Ryan's parents.

Mr. Grande was overwhelmed with emotion. The old man had shed so many tears and stayed by her side the longest.

I observed Anna silently. She had no idea I was there. She was still as stunning as ever—perhaps even more beautiful. In college, everyone called her "Snow White," but considering how white she is now, Snow White sure has nothing on her.

"Anna, my love, do you have any idea who was poisoning you?" her father asked. She smiled faintly.

She knew. But Anna had always been strong—strong enough to protect her father in the past, and certainly strong enough to handle this now.

"No, I have no idea," she replied calmly.

"Okay, darling," he said softly, kissing her forehead before leaving the room. I bowed to him as he passed, then stepped forward.

Anna's eyes widened when she saw me.

"Tony," she breathed.

"Dr. Tony, Anna. Let's keep this professional," I said, refusing to meet her gaze.

"When will you forgive me? When I die? Is that why you never visited me?" she asked, her voice trembling.

I visited, Anna. You just didn't know.

I busied myself checking her pulse and adjusting her IV drip.

"The patient should answer the following questions," I said briskly.

"Tony—"

"This is exactly why I didn't want to take this job. I knew it would end like this," I interrupted.

"Two years of being half-dead taught me a lot," she said softly. "I know I hurt you, Tony, but isn't two years enough? Can't we at least be friends?"

It's not about forgiveness, Anna. I don't hold anything against you. But I still love you. If I get too close, everything I've tried so hard to bury will resurface, and I'll get hurt again. You love Ryan now. You've moved on. But I'm still here... and I can't let you see that.

"I'll be in my office," I said, turning away.

"I'm really crazy," she called after me, her voice cracking. I stopped. "I can't believe you were one of the people I wanted to see when I woke up," she said, tears in her voice.

Her words pierced through me. I clenched my fists, then walked out before I could lose control.

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