MIRA

The next morning, I received a text message from two people. The first was Director Coleman, informing me that he'd be notified of my occasional absences due to my ‘secondary duties’. My gut clenched at the reminder of how easy it was for Damien to make things work.

The second was from Damien's assistant, giving me the location where I was supposed to meet my new patient.

I looked over the address, and my blood turned cold. He had a sick sense of humor.

The address of his new home was none other than the mansion that he'd kicked my family and me out of.

I arrived at the mansion, a mix of emotions bubbling up inside me. Clenching my jaw, I forced them down.

“You can do this,” I whispered to myself. I refused to let him break me down.

It was just one day. A few hours, and it would pass by like sand. As I stepped out of the car, I saw Lisa standing at the entrance, a sneer on her face.

"Welcome to our home," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. “I heard this once used to be your place until your family…well, everyone knows what happened.”

“I thought everyone in your family was unemployed, but it seems you're still working. I hear you're here to take care of my father. How quaint.” She smiled in an innocently smug way that matched her words.

I gritted my teeth, but kept silent, bearing the insult. I had to keep my cool, no matter who provoked me.

I followed her into the mansion from behind. There was no sight of Damien, which felt like the only reprieve I had as she led me into what once used to be my mother's room and opened the door to face her father.

Though I rarely mingled, I could recognize him faintly. With his greasy, sparse blonde hair, he was a portly man with a ruddy scowl on his face. I could see the signs of said stroke.

As he looked over me, the obvious superior ego showed clearly,

"Ah, you're the doctor," he said, looking at me with scrutiny before he snorted,

“I hope you're competent without your family's standing. I don't want any mistakes in my treatment.”

A twinge of annoyance pierced me, but I forced it down.

“I'll do my best to take care of you, Mr. Davis,” I said, forcing a smile onto my face. Inwardly, I suppressed everything.

I could do this. I had no choice but to.

The rest of the day was a blur of taking care of Mr. Davis's medical needs and bearing the brunt of his dismissive attitude. As hours passed, I felt my patience grow thinner. It was a relief when the day finally came to an end.

The sun was setting as I packed up my things. It was a difficult ordeal, but after today, I wouldn't need to visit this place for a few days at most. It was more than enough time for me. I was ready to leave and go back to my normal life.

I stepped out of the room, heading towards the exit, when I was forced to halt.

From the dining area, multiple eyes were on me, many I could recognize. At the centre were Damien and Lisa

The room was filled with the sound of laughter and music.

“Mira Landon, what a surprise,” one of them said. I clenched my teeth. What were they doing here?

“You’ll have to excuse me, I forgot to tell her,” Damien spoke up before turning to me,

Today's our official housewarming party. As such, I brought in some friends for dinner. I'm sure you recognise them.”

Of course I did.

In my silence, he raised an eyebrow.

"You're not leaving yet, are you, Mira?" he asked, his voice dripping with amusement.

A surge of anger and resentment filled me. What was he trying to do? Humiliate me further?

No. I couldn't afford to lose my temper, not now.

"I'll stay for a little while," I said, forcing a smile onto my face.

Damien's eyes gleamed with triumph, and I knew that I was in for a long night.

Every second felt like torture as I was forced to sit amongst them. The only looks I received in turn were mocking, pity, and amusement. Nobody spoke to me and I didn't say a word.

By the time nearly ten minutes passed, I had had enough.

“I'm sorry, I must be getting home. My parents are waiting for me,” I smiled politely, despite my fractured insides. I needed to leave as soon as possible before I completely shattered.

Damien's eyes locked onto mine, and I felt unease as he smiled.

“Before you leave, we should send you off properly,” he said, standing up with a wine glass,

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's send off Dr. Mira. She's been kind enough to take care of my fiancée's father, and I must say, she's been doing a wonderful job."

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to me. I felt like I was on display, like a specimen in a lab. I could feel the weight of their gazes, judging me, criticizing me.

"Come on, Dr. Landon, won't you stand?" Damien said, his voice dripping with amusement.

Standing up, I tried to keep my head held high. But with every second, I felt like I was sinking into quicksand.

Damien turned to me, a smirk on his face.

"I must say, Dr. Mira, your skills are quite... impressive," he said, his voice laced with sarcasm. “I mean, who needs experience or talent when you have... desperation?”

The room erupted into laughter, and I felt like I'd been punched in the gut.

“You have no idea what you're talking about.” I tried to bite back,

"Oh, don't bother trying to defend yourself, Dr. Mira," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement, “We all know you're not worthy of being called a prestigious doctor. You're just a... convenience. Mommy and daddy paid your way through, didn't they? The Great Landon family, except they aren't so great anymore. Who'll help you now?”

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. I blinked them back, trying to keep my dignity intact. But it was so damn hard.

“I think I've had enough of this little gathering," I said, my voice cold and steady.

I turned away, rushing out to keep the last of my dignity intact, if not anything else.

Rushing out of the house, I entered my car as soon as possible, driving off.

Only when I was far away from home did I finally stop and shatter..

Sobs took over me. I shut my eyes tightly as I let the hot tears slip down.

I had to be strong, for my family's sake, for myself, but he was already making it so difficult.

How much more of this unbearable torment was I going to face?