Chapter 4 Burning With Jealousy
990 Words
That voice—she recognized it instantly. It was the same man who had saved her from Dan two nights ago!
Clarice expressed her heartfelt gratitude. "Mr. Morris, thank you so much for rescuing me the other night!"
However, Ivan remained seated, motionless, as if her words had fallen on deaf ears.
'Is his hearing impaired?' she wondered.
But the medical records didn't mention that.
Approaching the sofa, she pressed it gently. "Mr. Morris, today I'll conduct a preliminary assessment before creating a rehabilitation plan. Please lie flat on the sofa."
Clarice demonstrated the motion, guiding him through the process. When she glanced up, she noticed he was wearing a mask.
'How strange. Why is this man so secretive?'
The mask tilted slightly as Ivan avoided Clarice's gaze, lying down obediently without making eye contact.
It seemed he wasn't hearing-impaired and was just plain rude.
Clarice stifled a sigh.
As a professional rehabilitation doctor, she was accustomed to dealing with all kinds of patients.
Many patients undergoing rehabilitation have endured major trauma. Faced with dim prospects of recovery and the long, painful treatment process, the psychological gap between normalcy and disability, along with the suffering, often leads to severe mental health issues, self-destructive behavior, refusal to cooperate with treatment, or even violence.
As a professional doctor, Clarice never let her emotions interfere with her work. However, when dealing with eccentric or difficult patients, she had plenty of strategies to make them communicate properly.
Swiftly starting the evaluation, Clarice held Ivan's knee with one hand while gently tilting his lower leg with the other, asking him how it felt.
She then proceeded with circumference measurements and joint checks.
Throughout, Ivan only offered minimal responses, showing neither enthusiasm nor interest. It was as if the rehabilitation didn't concern him.
Meanwhile, he carefully studied Clarice's silhouette through the mask, his gaze restrained.
The moonlight softened her outlines. Seven years had passed, but she had hardly changed.
Her hair was shorter, and her demeanor was more composed and restrained.
Despite the dull hospital attire, she still exuded a captivating allure that struck him deeply.
Seven years ago, he had been forced to break up with her.
Afterward, he realized just how important she was to him.
He regretted not revealing the truth behind their breakup and driving her away with cold indifference. What a foolish move!
If he survived this ordeal, he would apologize to her and explain everything.
His desire to see Clarice again had sustained him through the darkest times.
Despite his crippled legs and disfigured body, he never gave up. Once he learned of her whereabouts, he immediately moved to this small town.
But then, he found out that she had married another man!
When Clarice first entered the room, a surge of jealousy had nearly consumed him.
Hidden behind the mask, he watched her coldly, wondering how to punish her for betraying their love.
Unaware of his inner turmoil or even who he really was, Clarice remained focused on her work.
As her warm hands landed on his knee, the pain seemed to ease slightly.
Her gentle questions soothed his restless heart, and her expert touch guided his limbs into various positions.
Holding a tape measure, she wrapped it around the different parts of his body. Even the brush of her fingers against his skin sent a ticklish sensation through him.
She was so focused on her work that her beauty had an almost ethereal quality under the moonlight, gradually calming his jealous rage.
Then he noticed the bruises on her neck—dark, uneven marks hinting at a recent struggle.
She was still surrounded by so many troublesome men, just like before.
Instantly, he felt a different kind of fire ignite within him.
As she lightly tapped his knee with the reflex hammer, his leg involuntarily jerked—a normal patellar reflex.
But it wasn't just his knee that responded. His desire also hardened, betraying an uncontrollable surge of lust.
Suddenly, Ivan sat up straight, startling Clarice into stepping back.
Moments ago, he had been cooperating willingly; now, he became cold and distant. He summoned his assistant to show Clarice out.
Given the late hour and the nearly completed assessment, Clarice silently packed up her tools and left.
It seemed that this patient wasn't just ill-mannered. He was also unpredictable and mercurial, shifting moods without warning.
As they made their way down the long corridor, Clarice noticed a driver waiting at the gate.
The assistant added her to his contacts, saying, "Dr. Ford, my name is Mike Anson. Let's keep in touch through this number."
Clarice checked her phone and saw two new contacts: Mike and Ivan, along with a contract from Mike.
"This is the agreement for Mr. Morris's rehabilitation. I'll notify you of the schedule. Oh, and the payment is ten times the market rate. Please sign and send me the electronic version."
Clarice was shocked by the offer.
She was usually composed, but she couldn't hide her shock this time.
After all, she desperately needed a lot of money.
Before her husband was imprisoned, she had already filed for divorce, but he refused to comply.
To proceed with the divorce and hire a lawyer, she would need considerable time and money.
Ivan's offer seemed like a timely solution to her urgent needs.
Perhaps his erratic temperament was just a side effect of having too much money.
Fortunately, his bad moods came with great generosity!
Over the next few days, Clarice worked with renewed vigor, using her skills to alleviate her patients' pain.
There was no greater sense of accomplishment.
The contract was signed smoothly, but Ivan didn't request further rehabilitation sessions. Instead, he sent her a video message.
Ivan: Dr. Ford, this is footage from the car's dashcam that night. It might be useful for you.
'That night?'
Curious, Clarice opened the video and was stunned to see footage from the night of her fainting spell.
- Writer
