Chapter 7
“You’re getting coffee, I see. Morning coffee is nice, isn’t it? Yes, it smells good too.”
She muttered to herself, smiling and nodding, but still avoided making eye contact with Lucas.
“Did you have a meeting with Professor Crowell today?”
“Huh?”
“Did you meet Professor Crowell?”
“No, I didn’t have a meeting with Professor Crowell today.”
“Of course, there’s no action being taken against you. You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Wow, that’s such a relief.”
Why did it feel so awkward?
The coffee was ready, poured into a glass. Lucas looked at Suzy’s face for a long moment before lifting his own cup.
“Do you want some coffee?”
“Oh, no, thank you.”
Silence fell again.
“Do your work, don’t worry about me.”
“Yes.”
Lucas rested his lips on the glass and continued watching Suzy. Whether she realized he was looking or not, she flusteredly moved toward the shared computer station.
What is this uneasy feeling?
He had never observed Suzy like this before. He couldn’t be certain, but something was definitely off today.
“I’m preparing for the pre-round.”
“I see.”
Suzy smiled awkwardly.
Even as he sipped his coffee, Lucas kept glancing toward her. Whatever was going on, her constant glances and evasive behavior piqued his curiosity.
“Do you have something to tell me?”
“No, not at all.”
“Hmm.”
Did something bad happen to her personally? Well, even if it did, it wasn’t really his concern.
Just then, as Lucas was about to set down his coffee, the lounge door burst open and Pim and Liam came in.
“Suzy! There you—”
Pim’s voice trailed off as she noticed Lucas washing his glass.
“Sorry, Dr. Harrington. I didn’t realize you were here.”
Lucas shrugged as if it were nothing. The two quietly went over to Suzy and began massaging her shoulders. She waved them off, saying she was fine, but they ignored her and continued.
Lucas’s gaze shifted to Liam’s hands on Suzy’s shoulders. A frown creased his forehead.
No matter how close friends were, that wasn’t appropriate between a man and a woman.
“Suzy, shall we go get something delicious to eat today? Or maybe see a movie?”
Pim tilted her head and watched Suzy’s expression carefully.
“I’d like to go home and rest. I didn’t sleep well last night, so I’m tired.”
“Then how about Liam and I bring some food over to your place today?”
“Next time. I’ll invite you next time.”
Suzy didn’t lift her eyes from the EMR screen.
“Or, Suzy, want to go for a drive? I just got a new car, you know?”
“Thanks for the offer, but maybe another time, Liam. I really want to rest at home today.”
Suzy and Liam exchanged glances, and their expressions darkened.
“I’ll head out first. See you later!”
In the end, Suzy left, leaving Pim, Liam, and Lucas behind in the lounge. The three watched her go, each with a different expression.
Taking a deep breath in the hallway, Lucas slightly turned his head.
“Suzy, don’t hide. Come out.”
A small face peeked out from behind the wall. Lucas stopped speaking and gestured for her to come closer. Suzy approached and hung her head like a guilty criminal.
“If you’re going to hide, at least do it properly.”
“Yes… I’ll do it properly next time.”
What on earth is she saying?
Lucas furrowed his brows and looked at Suzy, who was crouched slightly.
“I’m not worried. I’m just curious why you’re acting like this.”
“……”
“Why have you been avoiding eye contact? Are your eyes uncomfortable?”
“Me?”
Still, Suzy made no effort to look directly at Lucas.
“Lift your head.”
She did as he said, but her gaze remained downward in a strange, stiff manner.
“Look at me. Talking while looking in my eyes won’t make your body freeze.”
“Yes, that’s true, but…”
Her eyes tried to lift, then fell again weakly. Observing closely, it seemed like she was even holding her breath.
“I don’t know what you’re doing.”
“Sorry! Dr. Harrington! An urgent call came in!”
Spoken like a burst of words, she quickly ran away from him. Lucas stared at her retreating figure for a while before letting out a soft laugh.
Phew, not yet.
Suzy ran full speed to the emergency exit stairs, trying to catch her breath.
Her heart still raced whenever she saw Lucas, so she resolved not to look at him. Out of sight, out of mind. She hoped avoiding him would lessen her feelings. But it wasn’t that easy—there were so many medical staff in surgery…
Still, she couldn’t let her feelings for Lucas control her. Suzy planned to slowly ease the emotions she had long harbored for him.
Yet her heart still dropped when their eyes met, and just his scent made her chest ache. What should she do?
She didn’t know. She could only hope time would pass quickly.
In the Upper East Side, in front of the Harrington family mansion, Lucas slowly surveyed the grand estate. He had been born and raised here, yet somehow he felt detached.
He thought he wouldn’t have to step foot here for a while, but that was only a misconception.
Lucas received a call that his mother, Elizabeth, was causing a scene at home. Despite being tired from his shift, he couldn’t ignore it and decided to come.
His grandfather, Charles Harrington, had also asked him to check a few things, so he had reasons to visit.
“Dr. Harrington, you’re here!”
“Ms. Dunham, it’s been a while.”
Claire Dunham, formerly Jonathan Harrington’s secretary and now Elizabeth’s personal assistant, greeted him. In her early forties, single, rational, and cool-headed, she rarely displayed emotion. Lucas admired this trait—having seen the worst of Jonathan’s deeds over the years, she remained unfazed even at Elizabeth’s tantrums.
Claire began to update Lucas.
“Mrs. Harrington hasn’t been well lately. She often attempts to harm herself, so we have someone watching her 24/7.”
“……”
Lucas only sighed deeply. When did Elizabeth deteriorate like this? The mother who had once given him a love that seemed impossible, who seemed willing to give her life for him—was she no longer the same?
Much of her breakdown could be traced back to Jonathan’s influence—lies, hypocrisy, and infidelity. Even a strong woman would be helpless against such irrational behavior.
Lucas scanned the tall ceilings, luxurious chandeliers, and neatly framed family photos. His eyes fell on Jonathan’s numerous trophies on the fireplace mantle.
He noticed fewer trophies than before and saw that the long-standing carpet had been replaced.
“You said there were too many trophies on display, so we stored most of them. I suggested changing the carpet to adjust the atmosphere.”
It seemed they tried their best to make the place feel warmer, yet there was no sense of human warmth anywhere in the house.
Elizabeth was sprawled on a dark brown leather sofa. Noticing the presence, she turned to see Lucas.
“Oh? My brilliant son. What brings the busiest person in the world here?”
Elizabeth held a bottle of red wine. Lucas exchanged a glance with Claire.
