Jonathan's jaw tightened, knuckles whitening as he stared daggers at her. she moved toward the curtains.
Samantha inhaled, steadying herself, then pulled them open. A shaft of sunlight spilled into the room. She could feel his fury radiating across the space. Even Mrs. Ashford felt it.
"Put them back. Now. And leave," he said, his voice low and icy. He looked away, shielding his eyes from the light.
Samantha moved to the other curtains. Before she could finish, Donathan's hand—his working hand—swept the dining table aside in a single, furious motion.
"I said leave!" he shouted, his voice thundering across the room.
They all flinched, fear and shock written on their faces. A tense silence followed.
Donathan's glare landed back on Samantha, fury burning hotter than ever. He failed to notice his mother's silent tears cascading down her cheeks, fueled by her own anger. "Enough, Nathan," she snapped, and Jonathan felt a pang of hurt as he saw his mother's distress; he instinctively turned away to hide his face. "I am so tired, Nathan… Do you have any idea how hard I am trying for you?" she implored. "Every single day, I long to see you back on your feet, reclaiming your life."
"I've brought in the best doctors and nurses. I've done everything imaginable… yet you continue to push everyone and everything away."
"You've shut us all out. It breaks my heart, Nathan. The pain is beyond words… seeing you live in anger, darkness, and despair."
"You need to let go of the past and what happened, Nathan. I want my son back… and I won't stop until I have him. Samantha is not going anywhere, and you will listen to everything she has to say." She scolded him, gazing intently at him. Overwhelmed by emotion, she sank into a chair, and Samantha rushed to console her. "I'm so sorry for that. Please, please tell me you're not leaving," Jonathan's mother pleaded.
"Of course not. I keep my promises; I won't leave. Trust me, Mrs. Ashford, I've faced much more intimidating men than him," Samantha reassured her, offering comfort. Jonathan had never seen his mother snap like that or display such vulnerability, . And it was all because of this new nurse. He clenched his hand, a mix of anger and something else stirring inside him. He would do… something about her.
"I need some fresh air," Mrs. Ashford said, dabbing at her tears and standing slowly.
Samantha rubbed her back gently. "Please, take care" she said. "if you need anything, don't hesitate to tell me." Said Mrs. Ashford
"Of course," Samantha replied with a small smile and left.
As she stepped into the hallway, she collided with Luka, knocking the bags and papers from her hands.
"Oh! I'm so sorry," Luka said, scrambling to help pick everything up.
"Sorry, too—I didn't see where I was going," Mrs. Ashford said, straightening.
She looked up at him. Luka froze, completely at a loss for words.
"Ah… hello… I—I'm Luka," he stuttered, still gawking.
"And I give birth to you, so stop staring, child, before I throw you out of this house," Mrs. Ashford said sharply, though her eyes twinkled with amusement.
"I'm sorry… I didn't—" Luka began.
"You should be," she interrupted with a pointed glance, then walked on, leaving him blinking in stunned silence.
Luka watched her retreat, and turned to enter the room.
A knock on the door.
"Dr Sam!" he called.
"Luka, come in," Samantha said. She stepped forward to help him with the luggage.
"It's fine, Dr Sam. I don't work out for nothing," he said with a confident grin.
"Of course, Luka. I can see that," Samantha replied, amused.
He glanced around and froze at the sight of Jonathan, still seated, the room showing signs of chaos from earlier.
"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."
Jonathan didn't even look at him. Luka extended his hand anyway, which Jonathan ignored completely.
Feeling awkward, Luka took a small step back. "Right… well, I'll… get started, then," he muttered,.
Esther knocked softly on the door and was told to enter."I'm sorry, Doctor, for the interruption," she said, her eyes flicking briefly toward Luka before she looked away. "I was asked to show Nurse Luka to his room."
"Oh," Luka said, "please."
Esther smiled, a faint blush warming her cheeks. "Follow me," she said, tucking an invisible strand of hair behind her ear.
Esther led Luka through the corridor on the right, glancing at him more often than necessary.
The room wasn't far from Donathan's master bedroom, when they reached it, she stopped in front of the door and turned to him, resting her hand on the handle. "Here it is. I can show you around if you like—the lounge, the garden wing, even the staff terrace. later when you are free"
Luka smiled softly and shook his head. "That's very kind of you, Esther, truly. But I'd hate to keep you from your duties on my first day."
"It's no trouble," she insisted gently, tilting her head, hopeful. "I don't mind at all."
"I know," he said, meeting her eyes, his tone warm. "Another time, maybe. I should get settled first."
Esther hesitated, then nodded, hiding her disappointment behind a smile. "Of course. If you need anything—anything at all—just let me know."
"I will," Luka said, opening the door. "Thank you for the warm hospitality."
"My pleasure," said Esther,
Samantha was looking through Jonathan's medical file, her brows tightened as she noticed several tests were missing. She played with her lower lip, then lifted her gaze toward the man who sat with his back at her, her fingers absently touched the necklace on her neck.
She took a steady breath and walked to him, when she reached him, she opened her mouth to speak, but her words caught in her throat. Her gaze was drawn to him again, as if something magnetic held her attention. His head was tilted slightly giving her a better view, and she could now clearly take in the finer details of his face—the straight, long, dark beautiful eyelashes, the perfectly straight nose, and the way his lips rested under his full beard. His medium-long black hair fell slightly over his forehead, giving him a wild beautiful look that made it impossible to look away.
Her eyes traveled downward, noticing the powerful line of his neck, the collarbone just visible beneath his sweater, and the broad chest that hinted at strength. How could a man, barely moving, look this good? It was almost unfair, almost distracting, what are you doing Samantha, have you lost it? Get back to work
Samantha cleared her throat with a frown feeling disappointed in herself, when Donathan heard her, his brows furrowed and his hand clenched in a fist.
"What do you want?" he asked, opening his eyes.
"I need a few minutes," Samantha said calmly. "There are some tests missing here, and they're important."
Donathan inhaled deeply and turned to face her. He ran a hand through his hair "Look, woman, when I said I don't want you here, I meant it. So please stop wasting your time on me."
"So you want to give up on—"
"Oh, stop with the speech. I've had enough of those," Donathan interrupted. "Mr. Ashford, I'm here to help. I know you're tired of this, but give it one more chance," Samantha urged.
He clenched his fist at his side, knuckles white "I've had enough of speeches! You have no idea how much angrier you're making me. If you truly want to help, just leave. I'll give you a blank check for the inconveniences," Donathan retorted.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Ashford, as I mentioned earlier, I'm not going anywhere until you're on your feet again. Refusing these tests could make things worse," she replied gently.
"You know I can sue you, right?" Donathan said coldly. "Why don't you just leave?"
Samantha chuckled and played with her lower lip. "Earlier, when your mother was scolding you…"
"Don't you dare bring up my mother or.!" he snapped.
"Or what Mr. Ashford?" Samantha interrupted. "Please stop with the fake sonly devotion. If you truly cared, you'd be fighting to get back on your feet. Can't you see the bags under your mother's eyes? Can't you hear the sadness in her voice? Yet she still carries hope for you."
She stepped closer, her voice firm. "Do you know how painful it is for a parent to watch their child give up?"
"You should be looking after your mother, not the other way around," Samantha said, folding her hands firmly in front of her. "The poor woman has been traveling from country to country for almost a year, searching for the best care for you. She followed me for two months, just to convince me to cancel my schedules and come here. And don't get me started on the others."
Donathan's fist clenched tighter, the tension visible in his arm. He dropped his gaze to his hand, jaw tightening, then dragged a hand through his hair, frustration etched across his face.
"What do you want me to do, Doctor?" he said sharply, lifting his head to meet her eyes. "I don't cry over spilled milk." His lips pressed into a thin line before he continued. "There's no hope—for me. She just doesn't want to accept it."
"I see her too, but I can't change anything. Almost everyone she brought said the same thing." His voice hardened, bitterness seeping through. "All I'm left with is being a lab rat."
He glanced away briefly, then returned his gaze at Samantha, cold and accusing. "Everyone comes to experiment on me, and I don't see any difference with you."
"Give me a chance," Samantha said quietly.
"They all say that," Donathan scoffed. "Do doctors practice that line now? I'll give you a few minutes to leave peacefully."
"Give me two months, Mr. Ashford," Samantha said steadily. "If you don't see even a slightest improvement, I'll leave myself. Do it for your mother, at least. Two months isn't that long."
Silence stretched between them.
Finally, Jonathan spoke. "If the two months are over, I want you gone."
"And if I succeed," Samantha replied, meeting his eyes, "then I'll continue
Donathan averted his gaze, trying to resist the magnetic pull he felt when their eyes met. The intensity of the moment made him have this sudden urge to have her closer; he wanted to breathe in her scent, to catch even the faintest trace of it. In his entire life, he had never felt like this with any woman—not even with his former fiancée. Confusion washed over him. What just happened? How did I even agree to her? he thought. And what was it he said in anger? He almost told her his pain—something he had never shared, he was one who never even spilled a drop of his life or feelings to anyone not even his mother. The thought made him frown in confusion and frustration. he didn't like it and wasn't going to let it
Samantha's phone rang, cutting through the quiet. She picked it up quickly.
"Yes?" she answered. Her eyes widened slightly as she listened. "Understood… I'm on my way." She hung up, a flash of concern crossing her face.
"Thank God you're here, Luka," she said the moment she turned to him as he entered the room. "There's been an emergency at the hospital. I have to rush—there's no way I'll make it back today."
She walked toward the long coach she had put her belongings and papers. "While I'm gone, make sure you check everything I've written on here." She handed him some papers "update me on everything okay."
Luka nodded quickly. "Got it. Don't worry."
glancing at Donathan she looked back at Luka. "I will take my leave now, see you tomorrow" she said and left
Luka began the tasks he had been left to complete, and to his surprise, Donathan did not refuse anything. He followed every instruction, quiet and compliant—or so Luka believed. Unnoticed by anyone, Donathan did not take some of the medicine.
By the time Luka finished, darkness had already fallen, and Donathan requested to be left alone
Samantha sat in her office, reviewing reports while chatting on the phone with Luka. "He did all that?" she asked, exhaling in relief. "Thank God."
A soft knock sounded at the door. A tall, good-looking man with tousled light-brown hair, dressed in a doctor's coat, leaned in through the doorway, one hand resting casually on the frame.
"Busy?" he asked, a crooked smile tugging at his lips.
"Matt—hi. Come in," Samantha said, looking up and smiling.
He stepped inside and dropped into the guest chair, stretching his long legs. "Good evening, Madam Workaholic. You don't look surprised to see me."
"That's because I've already heard about your arrival," Samantha explained, resting her chin on her hand thoughtfully.
"And you didn't come to peek at me?" he teased, then his smile faded slightly. "Are you still mad about what happened
"Look, I'm a jerk, and I apologize. You know how emergencies can drive us crazy. I want this more than anything, Sam," Mathew said earnestly.
"I was planning to come by your office, actually, but I got held up." brushing a stray hair behind her ear, she met his eyes. "And Matt—you already apologized. I understood. There's really nothing to forgive. We're always moving up and down."
"I'm glad," he said quickly, straightening in his seat. "So… what do you say we try this again?"
. Samantha hesitated, playing with her lower lip "About that, Matt…"
. "I think we should stay friends. It's not about you—it's about me. I'm not ready for anything beyond that.".
"You're a great man," she continued softly. "The full package. But with everything going on in my life right now, love—or anything close to it—would only destroy what I already have… including our friendship."
Mat was clearly hurt and fell silent, his gaze dropping to the floor.
"Please," Samantha added, lowering her voice. "It's not that I'm rejecting you; it's just not the right time for me."
"I can wait," he said, raising his brows.
Samantha shook her head gently. "Matthew Smith." She walked toward him as he stood, placing a hand lightly on his arm. "I don't want you to waste your time on me. I want you to be happy."
She offered a small, sad smile. "Love, marriage—those things aren't on my list right now. I don't know when they will be, but I'm very sure it's not now… and not anytime soon."
"Not next year?" Matt asked, searching her face.
"Not in the next years," she replied calmly.
He sighed dramatically, clutching his chest with exaggerated pain. "What a disappointment."
"I'm sorry," Samantha said, extending her hand. "Friends?"
. But Mat gestured for a hug.
"Friends," he smiled as they embraced.
"Okay, I need to finish up here; I still have a lot to do," Samantha said, gesturing to the reports on her desk.
"I'll leave then," he said, heading for the door. "If you need anything, I'm one call away."
"Thank you," Samantha replied, already returning to her files.
After a while, Samantha finished her work and headed toward the exit, offering polite goodbyes to those she passed along the corridor. Just before reaching the doors, she recognized a woman standing nearby—slightly curvier than herself, dressed in brown pencil trousers and a fitted white blouse.
The woman was deep in conversation with two men in suits, one of them was Matthew, and a slim woman in a tight red office dress who was holding onto Matthew's arm as they laughed.
"Suzan," Samantha called out.
Suzan turned immediately, her face lighting up. "Sam! There you are." She stepped forward, smiling widely, revealing a beautiful gap between her teeth. "I've got a problem with my car. I was just coming to look for you." She held a doctor's coat loosely over her arm.
"I thought you'd already left," Matthew said, glancing between them.
"I had a lot more to finish," Samantha replied calmly. She shifted her gaze to the others. "Hello, Jasmine. Alex." She nodded politely.
They returned the greeting, Jasmine giving a little wave as Matthew slowly pulled away from her grasp.
"I hear you're the new doctor handling Mr. Ashford," jasmine said.
"Yes, I am," Samantha confirmed.
"You're going to need a lot of luck," Alex added with a faint grin. "The man's a fireball."
"Thanks, Alex," Samantha said lightly. Then she checked her watch. "Alright, everyone, I have to leave. It's been a long day. See you tomorrow." She turned to Suzan. "Suzie?"
. "See you tomorrow, my good-looking fellows." Suzan said cheerfully, lifting her hand in a playful wave
After exchanging brief farewells, Samantha and Suzan walked away together,
"So," Suzan said, one hand resting on the steering wheel as she glanced at Samantha, "how was Mr. Fireball—or should I say Mr. Forbidden Fruit?"
"What?" Samantha asked, looking at Suzan briefly.
"Mr. Donathan Ashford," Suzan clarified with a grin. "How was he? Are the rumors true?"
Samantha hummed softly, scrolling through her phone. "Girl, whatever you heard—no lie was told."
Suzan's eyebrows lifted. "So you mean to tell me he's an erupting volcano?"
"Very much," Samantha replied. "I think it's because there's something going on inside him."
"Hmmm," Suzan said teasingly. "And he's breathtaking too, right?"
Samantha paused, then sighed. "I have to admit—yes."
"And he steals hearts," Suzan pressed.
"Any woman would fall for him with just one glance," Samantha said calmly.
Suzan smirked. "So… you fell for him."
"Suzan Steel," Samantha said, finally looked at Suzan, "you and your sneaky ways."
"How is that sneaky?" Suzan laughed. "You just confirmed the rumors. You said it yourself—any woman would fall for him at first glance."
"Yes, I agreed he's good-looking," Samantha replied firmly, locking her phone and setting it aside. "That does not mean I fell for him. You know my number-one rule—never get involved with a patient or a client. And even if he wasn't one, he's not my type, and I'm not his."
Suzan opened her mouth, but Samantha continued.
"And secondly," she added, "I already told you—the only relationship I'm having right now is friendship. I'm not getting with anyone."
"But why, Sam?" Suzan asked, softening her tone. "You need to enjoy your twenties before they're gone."
Samantha smiled tiredly and leaned back in her seat. "Suzie, love and marriage need attention. Time—a lot of time—which I barely have. They take energy, effort, sacrifice… and come with consequences and risks. Big risks." She glanced at Suzan. "Why am I even explaining this? We've had this conversation a hundred times."
Suzan laughed quietly.
"By the way," Samantha added, changing the subject, "did you eat? You always forget to eat. And Ms. Linda is coming back next week. I can order something now so it's ready by the time we arrive."
Suzan thought for a moment. "Hmm… I'm in the mood for tacos."
"Noted," Samantha said with a small smile. "Tacos and two drinks."