The inextricable love

Episode 3

Luka's hand shot out, catching her just in time—one arm firm around her waist, the other braced at her back. The world tilted, then stilled when their eyes met, silence stretched longer than it should.

As if there was Something unspoken flickering between them

"Are you alright?" Luka finally said, his voice lower than he intended.

Mrs. Ashford straightened stepping back.

"I'm fine," she said, adjusting her jacket and hair. "Thank you." she added and looked down, Papers, her phone and medical instruments scattered across the floor, she sighed reaching down to pick them up

"Oh! I'm so sorry," Luka said, fidgeting to help pick everything up.

"I should apologize too—I didn't see where I was going," Mrs. Ashford said, after picking up her things.

"Ah... I—I'm Luka.... Luka Marin" he stuttered, still gawking. He reached out his hand but Mrs. Ashford nodded in acceptance instead. "Dr. Samantha told me about you," she said, then scoffed noticing the way Luka was looking at her

"You know I am older than you right Mr. Marin" she said

"Um...I," said Luka

"My son might be a bit older or same age as you, so stop staring at me like that," Mrs. Ashford said sharply, though her eyes twinkled with amusement.

"I'm sorry... I didn't—" Luka began.

"You should be, now please excuse me" she interrupted with a pointed glance, then walked on, leaving him blinking in stunned silence.

Luka stood there for a moment longer than necessary. He let out a slow breath and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Wow," he muttered quietly to himself.

Then, shaking his head, he turned and headed toward Donathan's room

...

A knock echoed softly on the door.

"Dr Sam!" he called.

"Luka, come in," Samantha said. She stepped forward to help him with the luggage.

"It's fine, I don't work out for nothing," he said with a confident grin.

"I can see that," Samantha replied as she rolled her eyes with a smile.

He glanced around the room, and his eyes froze when he saw Donathan and the chaos from earlier still evident. The scattered plates and overturned chair and broken glasses of table.

"Mr. Ashford," Luka said cautiously, stepping forward. "I've heard... a lot about you. I'm Luka, your new helper. It's an honor to assist you."

Donathan did not look up. His eyes remained fixed on his phone. Luka extended his hand anyway, which was also ignored completely.

Feeling the awkwardness, Luka took a small step back. "Right... well, I'll... get started, then," he muttered, trying to regain composure, He glanced at Samantha and she gave a small smile

Esther knocked softly on the door.

"Come in," Samantha said

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Doctor," she said politely. Her eyes flicked just for a second toward Luka before she quickly looked away again. "Mrs. Ashford asked me to show Nurse Luka to his room."

"Settle in first." Said Samantha

He nodded

"I guess you should first give me a moment to clean up here first," said Esther.

Esther turned toward the door, a faint smile touching her lips, lifting her hand to tuck an invisible strand of hair behind her ear.

Moments later Luka followed her into the corridor on the right.

Esther walked a little ahead of him, then slowed her pace so they were side by side. She stole a glance at him—then another—quickly looking away each time, her cheeks warming.

"So," she said, breaking the silence, "is this your first time working in a private residence?"

"What do you think," asked Luka with a smile. "Ah, sorry that was a stupid question," she said playing with her fingers

"It's fine, to answer your question no, it's not my first time, I have been to many places," said Luka "but I have to say...this place is impressive,"

"Really?"

"yes"

They stopped in front of a door not far from Donathan's master bedroom. Esther rested her hand on the handle but didn't open it immediately. She turned to face Luka.

"Here it is," she said. "Your room."

Then, after a small pause, she added, "I can show you around if you like—the lounge, the garden wing, even the staff terrace." Her voice softened. "Later, when you're free."

Luka smiled, genuinely touched. He shook his head gently. "That's very kind of you, Esther. But I'd hate to keep you from your duties."

"It's no trouble," she said quickly. "I don't mind at all."

"Another time, maybe. I should get settled first," said Luka

For a moment, she hesitated. Then she nodded, hiding her disappointment behind a polite smile. "Of course."

She stepped back slightly. "If you need anything—anything at all—just let me know."

"I will," Luka said as he opened the door. "Thank you for the warm hospitality."

"My pleasure," Esther replied.

She lingered for a second longer than necessary, then turned and walked away down the corridor.

"Luka will be assisting with your physiotherapy sessions. He will follow my instructions...whatever you need he will be there"

Donathan's lips pressed into a thin line, his jaw tightening as if he were holding back something poisonous. For a long moment, the room remained heavy with silence. Then he finally spoke.

"I have been experimented on and played by ten doctors... no—eleven, maybe," he said with a humorless scoff. "I lost count a long time ago." "They always come the same way," Donathan continued. "Clean coats. Soft voices. Assistants trailing behind them, carrying files and fake concern." His eyes lifted slowly, sharp and accusing locking onto Samantha's face. "And guess what they all say? The exact same lines you've been saying."

Samantha stiffened.

"Though," Donathan continued coldly, "I have to admit—your scamming tricks surprised me."

The words hit like a slap.

"Wh... what?" Samantha stammered, disbelief spilling into her voice. Her brows knit together as if she hadn't heard him correctly

"Oh, don't act shocked," Donathan said. "You know exactly what I'm talking about and I'm done. I'm so damn tired of you all."

"So tell me," he said flatly, "how much money did you come here to scam from us? Name your price. I'll double it—since you're that desperate."

The room fell silent again.

Samantha let out a short, incredulous scoff, shaking her head as she searched for words. "You... you think I'm here to scam you?" she asked, her voice trembling—not with fear, but with insult.

"Oh Save the drama for other people," Donathan snapped. "You doctors thrive on pain. You wait like hyenas for someone wounded, then you circle, poke, test, and play around—" his voice full of anger and frustration, "—until you start feeding. And feeding. And feeding."

Samantha slowly walked toward him despite the tension. "I understand what you've been through...I really do. And I—"

"Oh, you don't understand anything," Donathan said coldly. "You're not the one trapped in a wheelchair. You're not the one whose body has become a testing ground, a toy."

Samantha crouched in front of him so that she was on his level. "I'm not here... for money Mr. Ashford," she said firmly. "If that's what you think."

"I chose this profession to help people," she said. "Not to exploit them."

He inhaled deeply, then exhaled with finality. "Save us both time... Don't come back tomorrow."

The words landed heavy.

Samantha looked at him searching for words again, her mouth opened as if to argue, then closed again.

Samantha met his gaze without hesitation.

"I'll work on you for free."

Donathan scoffed bitterly. "I don't need charity."

"Then what do you want me to do?" Samantha asked evenly.

"Simple," he replied coldly. "Leave."

"Unfortunately, I can't," she replied calmly. "When I start something, Mr. Ashford, I finish it." She paused, studying him. "I can see the grudge and anger in your eyes." Said Samantha and on that Donathan frowned deeper, swallowing, he broke the eye contact and looked away. "And if any of that was caused by my colleagues, I apologize." he heard Samantha say