Chapter 9 Chased out of the House

I walked into the darkness of the night, my thoughts drifting to a place I had never considered before – where I would be buried when I died. I sighed. The newfound confidence that Doctor Shaun had instilled in me was shattered by Aaron's harsh actions. If he ever found out that I had entertained thoughts of ending my life, he might see it as a sign of weakness or failure on my part. I found myself at a restaurant across the street. It was the dinner rush, and there happened to be one last available table. The waitress handed me a menu. Only then did I realize that I had left my purse at home. I had stormed out of the house in anger, not even bothering to take my keys. I felt embarrassed as I looked at the expensive dishes on the menu, and the waitress's puzzled expression didn't help. "I'll have a floral tea and toast." The waitress, clearly uncertain, asked, "Is that all you'd like, miss?" "Yes, that's all." She scrutinized me, her suspicion growing. I didn't appear to be destitute, which only deepened her curiosity. This restaurant occasionally attracted homeless people who begged for food, given its location in an affluent area. My disheveled appearance only added to her doubts. "Miss, are you in trouble? Is there anything I can do to help?" The glances from other patrons made me even more self-conscious. "No, I just forgot—" "I'll cover her bill." Shaun appeared and addressed the waitress. "Why are you still here, Doctor Shaun?" "I had a family consultation nearby after dropping you off. I hadn't eaten yet, so I came here." So that's what happened. "Sir, should I add her order to your tab? She ordered floral tea and toast." "Is that all you're having?" He seemed surprised and somewhat disappointed. Perhaps he was disappointed that I didn't seem to value my life despite agreeing to undergo treatment. Ordering just tea and toast must have seemed absurd to him. Little did he know that I had chosen this meager meal because I had no money. "Are you really just having this?" He signaled the waitress to bring his food to my table. "My food isn't here yet. Bring it over when it's ready." "No, Doctor." I felt the need to explain. I was actually starving, and I didn't want my doctor to doubt my commitment to recovery. "I simply forgot my purse at home. I only have some cash on me." "I see, then I'm relieved. I thought you had lost your appetite. That would be concerning for your health." I sighed inwardly. How could I tell him that I had contemplated suicide just moments ago? The waitress took the menu away and left. Shaun asked if I had tried the dessert he had bought for me. "It was good. I'm a regular there, and I think their desserts are fantastic." I couldn't help but feel troubled as I remembered the wasted food. "They're quite good." Aaron had always thought highly of them. Even though I didn't get to enjoy them this time, I was confident that the desserts were exceptional. "It seems like you're feeling more motivated after seeing my treatment plan. Perhaps I should reevaluate your mental health to see if you're in a better state now?" "I'm fine," I assured him, though the truth was far more complicated. I tried my best not to lie to him, knowing that honesty was crucial for my condition. However, I had no intention of revealing the fight I had with Aaron. "This is my first time here. Have you been here since you live in this area? Can you tell me more about this place?" Truth be told, it was my first time here as well. Despite the restaurant being located just across the street from Aaron's villa, I had never ventured here before. Besides the high prices, there was a painful memory associated with this place that I preferred not to recall. I had come here tonight out of desperation, not choice. "It's actually my first time here too. I'm not familiar with the area, but I do know that this place is part of a chain. They have other branches with a good reputation." In reality, it was a part of a food and beverage chain under the Hearst family, available in many locations. This was information I had only recently learned. I had no idea that Aaron would be waiting at this restaurant when Julie brought me here. The embarrassment I felt when she opened the door was overwhelming. If I had known it was their date, I would never have stayed and subjected myself to the humiliation of being the third wheel. "I'll take you to a better restaurant next time. It's in a similar price range, but the food is much better." "Thank you." Shaun spoke as he savored the beef. "Don't worry about it. Just remember to come by tomorrow afternoon. Our treatment begins then." I nodded, a reminder flashing in my mind. "Shaun, I need a favor." "Of course, go ahead." "I need you to keep my illness a secret." "Is it because of your husband?" He was aware of my family situation, as I had only filled in "husband" in the family section of my records. "No matter who it is," I said cautiously, mindful of potential prying eyes. "Including my husband." "Don't worry. Maintaining patient confidentiality is our duty." I knew he would protect my privacy, but my concern was Aaron's ability to use his connections to unearth my illness. His warning still echoed in my ears. "I just want to clarify this, Shaun." I had barely touched my food, holding my fork and knife. "I hope you can tell anyone who asks that I went to the hospital today for a check-up on my injured arm, not a stomach ailment." He appeared puzzled but agreed to my request. "I'm not a surgeon, though. It might be challenging for me to maintain that story." I hadn't fully considered this. It was Aaron who had pressured me into fabricating an excuse, one that now felt like a trap I had set for myself. "So, what should I do..." "It's okay. I'll figure something out. I'll enlist the help of my colleagues." I didn't know how to express my gratitude. I was relieved that he had accepted my request despite the complexity of the situation. After finishing our meal, I was surprised to find that it was the best dining experience I had had in a long time. At home, I usually settled for leftovers, and the maids, aware of Aaron's dislike for me, often treated me poorly in his absence. I wanted to cook for myself, but the kitchen lacked the necessary ingredients.