"She suffers from congenital heart disease." His voice dripped with rehearsed sincerity. "For her sake, I am willing to devote my entire life to cardiac surgery."
The same rhetoric.
Nauseating.
The nurse adjusting my IV drip sighed dreamily. "Miss Fiona, you are so blessed. Dr. Farley treats you so well."
She finished and left. Moments later, Dr. Simmons arrived for rounds. He glanced at the TV, a playful, almost mocking expression flickering across his face.
"So many years, and Senior Brother Adrian is still playing the same tune."
"Is that what you all think?"
Mason Simmons just smiled. No answer. "Your vitals are stable. Discharge in a couple of days."
"Mm."
The program droned on. Adrian spewed professional jargon that flew over the audience's heads. Then the host leaned in.
"Dr. Farley, you're so devoted to your wife. Presumably she's watching right now. Anything you'd like to say to her?"
Adrian picked up the microphone, wearing that same disgusting, soulful expression.
"My wife has some misunderstandings about me right now. I want to tell her this: Fiona, no matter what, I will cure you. Whether it takes three years, five years, or ten... with recent technological breakthroughs, the day isn't far off."
The camera panned to the audience. Many dabbed at their eyes, moved by this fairy-tale romance.
Then Zoe Preston, sitting right beside him, took the microphone.
"As a doctor, and as a junior colleague..." Her voice trembled. "I want to say a few words on behalf of Senior Brother Adrian."
"Fiona, Senior Brother has given everything for you. To act like this now... it really chills the heart."
She raised a hand, wiping at a nonexistent tear. "I just feel it's not worth it for him."
Adrian didn't correct her.
Of course he didn't.
Why ruin a moment that polished his halo so perfectly?
"I know my presence has caused Fiona to misunderstand Senior Brother Adrian." Zoe played the martyr flawlessly. "So I want to announce here: I have already submitted my resignation. Fiona, if you can hear this, please—go home."
