"I…” Maisie said, "I've never heard you talking about your past.""What would you like to know?" Daniel asked."Hmm…" Maisie hesitated. She naturally wanted to know about his love life.Daniel was no longer young, but he was good-looking and wealthy. It would be unreal if he had never been in a relationship before. As his current girlfriend, it was only natural that she was eager to find out what his exes were like.Were they drop-dead gorgeous? Did they come from prestigious families that matched his?They must be outstanding…She bit her lip, unsure if he would be upset if she asked him.Suddenly, Daniel spoke just when she was troubled. "You want to know whether I had girlfriends in the past?"Her cheeks blushed, and she quickly lowered her head to drink the soup.He smiled, his deep eyes fixed on her beautiful face."I've... loved one person.""Oh…" she responded, feeling a bit down.Daniel could see sadness on her face, and he couldn't help but have complicated feeling
Maisie didn't have her guard up. She thought it was just a routine check-up, so she immediately agreed.When Daniel approached her to ask what happened, she gave him a brief explanation, and he frowned.Nina had promised to handle Maisie's consultation herself, so why was she delegating it to the nurse?Furthermore, it wasn't time for the surgery yet, which made him uneasy. But Maisie couldn't help but smile when she saw his nervousness."What's wrong?" She gently caressed his cheeks. "You seem upset.""No, I...""Are you worried about me?" She smiled. "Don't worry. The nurse said it was just a simple check-up. Dr. Perkins is busy, so she'll be doing it.""Okay." He nodded.She used her thumbs to smooth out his furrowed brow, making him laugh. He hugged her gently."I might have overthought it," he admitted. "I don't know why, but I tend to overthink everything when it comes to you.""Then think on the positive side," she encouraged, looking into his eyes. "For instance, my s
"Oh…"Maisie felt completely lost, unable to grasp the situation's severity. Could a nurse's name mix-up be this serious? Nina's words appeared to carry a deeper significance.Daniel, offering comfort, wrapped his arm around Maisie's shoulders and softly suggested, "Let's go home."Maisie nodded.They left, shared lunch, and later relaxed on the couch to watch a movie.It was only in the afternoon, when Maisie expressed her desire to visit the library, that Daniel mentioned some business to attend to at his company.After dropping her off at the library, he quickly returned to the hospital.The examination room's door remained tightly shut, with guards posted outside, and Hazel stood frozen in the same spot he had left her.Upon seeing him, Nina politely smiled and said, "Mr. Quimby, it might be best if you ask her directly... While she's my student, her conduct hardly aligns with what's expected of a competent healthcare worker."Daniel elegantly fiddled with a lighter while
Daniel's expression was imposing.Nina noticed it and spoke cautiously. "Mr. Quimby, please don't be angry. It's my fault for not supervising properly, which allowed someone like her into my office. Rest assured that she won't appear in the hospital anymore."Hazel burst into tears upon hearing those words, practically begging, "Dr. Perkins, please don't dismiss me. If I lose this job, I can't go back home."I had no choice! My mom said my little brother needed a new computer for college, and they kept asking me for money. But my internship pay is so low. Even if I don't eat or drink, I can't afford to buy him a computer all at once!"Nina frowned and looked at Daniel.Hazel crawled closer to Daniel. "Mr. Quimby, please give me one more chance! It was a momentary lapse of judgment. I promise I won't dare to do anything against Ms. Squire anymore. Mr. Quimby, please have mercy on me. I know I was wrong."Daniel's stern face was difficult to read. He looked down at Hazel and sudden
Arya sat across from Maisie, her demeanor somewhat reserved, and Maisie's mood carried its own complexity.Still, Maisie offered a smile and initiated the conversation. "Did you ask me out today for a specific reason?"Arya, who appeared hesitant on the phone—a contrast to her usually candid self—replied awkwardly, "Well, it's not anything major. It's just that my parents and I have been feeling guilty about my brother's behavior. I'm wondering, do you still hold any grudges against us?"Maisie's heart warmed, and she gently held Arya's hand. "You don't need to feel this way. How could I hold any grudges against you? Your brother and I weren't a good match, and not being together might have been fated.""Now that Sophia has faced the consequences and my brother..." Arya sighed. "Graham isn't doing well, either. It's like divine retribution."I'm sorry. I shouldn't be talking about this." Arya smiled. "I'm here today to give you this!"She then presented a newly published set of c
"I..." Maisie didn't quite know how to respond.Arya quickly waved her hand and said, "Please, don't misunderstand. I'm not prying into your privacy. I just find this situation a bit odd.""Yeah, it does seem strange," Maisie said, lowering her head in thought. She added, "I didn't know Daniel before. I first met him while working at the kindergarten. So, I'm not sure why Graham's suspicions exist. If needed, I can explain things to him in person.""Do you really want to see him again?"Maisie chuckled. "We ended our engagement—we're not enemies. Plus, as you mentioned, he has already faced consequences, hasn't he?"Arya nodded, admiring Maisie's magnanimity. She couldn't help but think she might not have the same composure if Toph treated her the same way.After a light meal, Maisie went straight to the hospital. She knew Graham would be at the hospital today for a dressing change and the ward he'd be in. While she no longer had lingering feelings for him, she felt the need to c
Daniel's smile couldn't entirely mask his imposing presence, which still managed to unsettle Maisie. He gently held her hand, understanding her unspoken reason for being there."Don't worry. I was just curious," he assured her, meeting her gaze. "Maisie, are you... still afraid of me?""Still?" Maisie questioned, puzzled. "Was I afraid of you before?"Daniel fell silent, his thoughts taking him back in time.The old Maisie had indeed been fearful of him. She had been worried he might become tired of her, stop supporting her family, or cast her out on a whim. As such, she had been meticulous, going to great lengths to please him. Even in bed, she had yielded to his every desire, striving to accommodate his every whim.Back then, he had been enamored with her, seeing her as the most submissive and obedient woman he had ever met. Looking back, he now realized his affection had been more like a master's fondness for a submissive pet.Daniel gazed at her once more, the clarity in her
After what felt like a long time, Maisie finally calmed down. She glanced at the man before her and took a deep breath, her heart suddenly aching as if something had been ripped away."Maisie!" Daniel was still worried and nervously held her hand, continuously apologizing, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I acted too hastily. I shouldn't have behaved that way!"Don't worry! I promise I won't do anything you're uncomfortable with in the future!"Maisie gazed at him for a moment, then softly shook her head."No, it's my fault," she murmured. "I should be the one apologizing. I don't know what came over me just now. At that moment, my mind seemed to—"Before she could finish, her phone rang.Daniel helped her straighten her attire, adjusted her seat, and used his coat to cover her legs.Maisie answered the call, and Nicole's hesitant voice came through. "Maisie... Can you come home soon? Mom... She...""Alright, I'll speak with her directly!"The phone was taken by someone else."Maisie