Mike burst into the room, his steps quick and urgent. His chest tightened at the sight before him—Mia, curled up on the hospital bed, hugging her knees tightly to her chest. Her slender frame trembled with silent shudders, and unshed tears clung stubbornly to the corners of her pale, wide blue eyes.
"M–Mia, are you okay?" he asked, his voice rough with worry.
He hadn't seen her look this fragile in years—not since that night five years ago when that person had broken her heart.
"Are you… crying?" Mike's voice softened further, almost in disbelief.
Snapping out of my spiraling thoughts, I wiped at my eyes quickly, forcing the tears back before they could spill down my cheeks. My hands shook slightly, but I clenched them tightly in the sheets to hide it.
"I'm fine, Mike," I said, forcing a weak smile. "I just… need some time alone to clear my head. Please."
Mike hesitated, his sharp blue eyes scanning me from head to toe, looking for any hidden injuries or signs that Mikael had crossed a line. When he found none, he let out a slow breath and nodded reluctantly.
"Alright. I'll come back later. Try to rest," he said, squeezing my shoulder gently before stepping back.
Before leaving, Mike exchanged a brief glance with Leon, who still hovered at the doorway. Mike gave him a sharp wink—a silent signal.
The door clicked shut behind them.
Out in the long, sterile hospital corridor, Mike suddenly stopped and turned to Leon, his face darkening.
"Tell me the truth, Leon," Mike said, his voice low and dangerous. "Was this your plan? You told me before you wanted to trigger her memories. Was calling third brother here part of it?"
Leon looked genuinely stunned. "What? Mike—no! I swear, this wasn't me. I have no idea why Mikael showed up today. Believe me!"
Mike glared at him, distrust flaring hotly in his chest. Yesterday Leon had talked about testing Mia. Today, Mikael—of all people—stormed in like a goddamn executioner. Too much of a coincidence.
It took several tense seconds before Mike finally, reluctantly, believed him.
"Then if it wasn't you…" Mike muttered, clenching his fists. His brow furrowed, his mind racing. "There's only one other person who could have done this."
Leon's face twisted in confusion, then realization hit him like a lightning bolt. His eyes widened in shock.
"You're saying—"
Mike cut him off grimly. "Matteo."
***
Still clutching the crumpled blood test report—so battered it was barely readable—I stared at the confusing mess of charts, percentages, and unfamiliar medical terms.
It wasn't that I was stupid; no, I simply couldn't make sense of the clinical language splattered across the page.
Is he insane? Taking drugs?
He said I—no, that Mia Isabella—was taking drugs?
Mia Isabella, what the hell were you thinking?!
Not only did you drug your so-called fiancé with an aphrodisiac, but you were also using drugs yourself?
What kind of twisted, reckless personality did you have?
I raked my fingers through my hair, trying to untangle my racing thoughts.
Now it made sense.
That's why Mike looked so hesitant when I first told him I had memory loss. That's why Mikael was so brutally furious. That's probably why none of the other brothers even bothered to visit me once.
Damn it all!
Why am I the one left to clean up this villainess's mess?
I slumped back against the pillows, letting out a long, shuddering breath.
I needed a plan—desperately.
I needed to rebuild Mia's shattered image before I ended up isolated, hated, and living everyday under the same roof as a family that wanted nothing to do with me.
Think, Mia. Think fast.
Because if I didn't find a way to turn this around soon... survival in this unfamiliar, hostile world would be a nightmare.
The next morning, before the sun fully rose, I woke up to freshen up. Today was my discharge day. The thought of going back to a home I'd never known made me incredibly anxious.
At eight-thirty, a group of doctors and nurses, led by Doctor Leon, arrived for my final check-up. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making his gold-rimmed glasses gleam as he studied my chart.
"It looks like you've recovered well and can go home today. Remember to take your medication on time. If anything happens, call me, or you can also contact your second brother, Matteo," Doctor Leon advised.
Second brother? No, thank you. I didn't want to deal with a stranger, especially one related to the insane Mikael. That's the last thing I need, I thought.
"Okay, thank you very much, Doctor Leon," I said, offering a smile. Finally, I was done with this dreadful hospital. Now, I needed to prepare myself to face an unfamiliar environment.
After Doctor Leon and his team left, my phone buzzed with a message from Mike.
'Mia, I'm really sorry. An emergency came up and I can't make it to pick you up today. But don't worry, eldest brother will be coming to handle your discharge and bring you home. See you soon, my dear sister.'
Eldest brother? Martin? He was coming?Oh my goodness, what kind of person was he? Would he treat me better than Mikael? My mind raced with possibilities.
As I imagined dozens of scenarios playing out, I decided to take a chance. If this eldest brother was even slightly better than that awful Mikael, I would go home with him. If not, it wasn't too late to run. I had enough money to start a new life, buy a house or a simple apartment near public transport.
I was sure I could take care of myself far away from all these unsettling characters in this strange story.