Chapter 5

Flynn quickly shook his head, mocking himself.

Daisy had just told him: I'm leaving. Don't come bothering me unless it's important.

She was only helping him out of pity, not because she actually cared.

Besides, Esme was still waiting for him tonight.

But right now, Flynn wasn't in the mood for that.

The most important thing was figuring out how to get a medical license and keep the clinic running.

The problem was, he barely knew how to read. Some of the medical books were impossible for him to understand. Even if Daisy bought him more time, could his half-baked medical skills actually get him through the licensing exam?

The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became. Before he knew it, he had already walked back to his small clinic.

Hearing the door, Anne immediately stepped out, feeling her way forward. "Flynn, is that you?"

"It's me, Auntie. Come on, let's go home and eat."

Just then, a scruffy middle-aged man with yellowed teeth and a ragged beard stood up inside the clinic.

"Not so fast, kid. I need a word with you."

The man's name was Bruce Willis, a notorious widower in the village. Five years ago, his wife had died in a car accident, leaving him with a hefty compensation payout. Since then, he had spent his days drinking, gambling, and wasting money in the city. He and Flynn barely crossed paths.

Yet now, Bruce was rubbing his hands together excitedly, his eyes gleaming.

"It's about you and your aunt."

Flynn frowned. "What does that have to do with you?"

"Everything!" Bruce grinned wide, revealing his rotten teeth.

"I heard your clinic's about to shut down. Since I feel bad for you two being all alone, I've decided—I'll marry your aunt! From now on, we'll be family. You can call me Uncle."

As he spoke, his greedy gaze lingered on Anne. If Flynn weren't standing there, the man probably wouldn't have been able to control himself.

Flynn knew exactly what that look meant. Without hesitation, he stepped protectively in front of his aunt, his voice sharp.

"Who said my clinic is closing? Get out!"

Bruce's face darkened. "Listen, kid. Your parents are gone. No one's looking after you. I'm willing to take you in, all for your aunt's sake—"

"I don't need you to take me in! Now get lost!" Flynn pointed at the door, his patience gone. "You're just a disgusting old toad thinking you can get with a princess. Take a good look at yourself—do you really think you're worthy of my aunt?"

Bruce's expression twisted in anger.

"Fine. Let's see how tough you act when your clinic is shut down and you're left starving!"

With that, he stormed out, muttering under his breath, "Damn brat, talking to me like that… Just wait. I'll teach you a lesson, and when I do, I'll make sure to have my way with that aunt of yours right in front of you."

Disgusted, he spat on the ground before stomping away.

Flynn, too focused on Anne, didn't hear him.

"Auntie, you're beautiful and kind. You don't have to lower yourself for someone like Bruce just because of me."

Anne gently touched Flynn's face, shaking her head.

"You've been taking care of me all this time. If the clinic really shuts down, I have to think of a way for us to survive."

Flynn pounded his chest. "Don't worry, Auntie! Daisy promised to help buy me a little more time. I'll spend these next few days studying like crazy and pass that medical exam! We won't need anyone's help!"

Even as he said it, he wasn't sure if he could pull it off. But he had to reassure her.

Anne smiled gently. "Alright. I believe in you. I won't think about… anything else."

With that, Flynn took her hand, leading her back to their home in the village.

…

After cooking dinner, Flynn and Anne ate a simple meal before retreating to their rooms.

The house they lived in had been built when Flynn's parents got married, and by now, it was falling apart. He hadn't thought much of it before, but tonight, lying on the hard wooden bed and staring up at the holes in the ceiling, sleep wouldn't come.

His thoughts circled back to earlier that day—Anne, his gentle and kind aunt, had actually been willing to marry a man like Bruce for his sake.

The idea left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"She deserves better," he muttered under his breath. "How can I let her live like this? No, I have to pass the medical licensing exam. I have to make money—real money. I'll buy her a big house in the city, with a couch to lounge on and a soft bed to sleep in. She'll wear nice clothes, we'll drive a good car—no more struggling."

With that thought burning in his chest, Flynn sprang out of bed. He grabbed the old medical books and handwritten notes his father had left behind, flipping them open on the wooden desk.

But within minutes, he hit a wall.

"What the hell does this word even mean? And this one…?"

His head throbbed. His education had only gone up to the third grade—half the words in these books were foreign to him.

When it came to treating patients, even the tiniest mistake could be fatal. It wasn't that he didn't understand medicine. It was that he was too afraid to get things wrong.

That fear had always held him back.

Illiteracy—what a damn curse.

Bruce's sneering face suddenly surfaced in his mind.

"Let's see how tough you act when your clinic is shut down and you're left starving!

Flynn slammed the notebook shut.

"Damn it," he growled. "Am I really this useless?"

Frustration clawed at him, and he raked his hands through his hair, feeling like a caged animal.

Then, out of nowhere, a bright, lilting laugh broke through the silence.

"Wow, Flynn, you look just like a monkey right now. This is hilarious!"

He turned sharply toward the window.

Daisy was leaning against the sill, her face lit up with amusement, laughing so hard she could barely catch her breath.

Flynn scowled. "It's the middle of the night, and you came all the way here just to make fun of me? What, do you have a screw loose or something?"

The words were out before he could stop them—his frustration boiling over into a careless jab.

Daisy's smile vanished. She pouted. "Yeah, maybe I do! Otherwise, why else would I be here in the middle of the night?" She crossed her arms. "I came to teach you how to read, you idiot!"

Flynn froze.

"What?"

"You heard me!" she huffed. "But since I apparently have brain damage from that door, I guess I should just go home."

She turned on her heel.

Flynn panicked.

"Wait, wait, wait—you're serious?" He lunged after her, catching up in a few strides.

"Nope!" she snapped. "I definitely came just to mock you!"

Flynn wasn't about to let her leave. He was drowning in frustration, and she'd just thrown him a lifeline.

"Come on, Daisy, don't be mad," he coaxed, flashing an ingratiating smile. "I was wrong, okay? Don't take it personally. Come inside—please?"

Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed her by the arm and half-dragged, half-pushed her back toward the house.

Daisy rolled her eyes but didn't resist.

"That's more like it," she muttered, still sounding a little peeved.

Flynn noticed then that her hair was damp, strands clinging to her neck. She must've just taken a shower. As she walked ahead of him, the faint scent of shampoo wafted through the night air.

And—damn.

Daisy might not be that much older than him, but her figure was something else. The way she moved, the curve of her hips—it was enough to make his thoughts stray.

Then she suddenly whipped her head around.

Flynn barely had time to school his expression before she narrowed her eyes at him.

"You little perv! Where the hell are you looking?"