Not Your Doormat Anymore

"These are your medical reports-some of the results aren't great."

I laid out both reports in front of Dad and Mom. It was still early in the day. While their conditions were nowhere near as serious as in my previous life, I could already see some warning signs.

Luckily, it was nothing major-just some early symptoms. With timely intervention and proper management, everything could be treated.

I had already prepared their prescriptions. As long as they took the medicine as instructed and got enough rest, they would be fine in no time.

They did not really understand the medical jargon. After staring at the reports for a while without grasping much, they simply asked which prescription belonged to whom, took them, and stopped looking at the results.

"We're sure getting older." Mom sighed, glancing over at Dad. "But after everything that just happened to you, how could we possibly stop worrying?"

I instantly got it—this was Dad's doing.

"I'm at a critical point in my career, and my last relationship took a serious toll on me. I'm not considering marriage right now. Please don't try to set me up with anyone I'm not going on any blind dates."

Some things needed to be said clearly now to avoid future misunderstandings and conflict.

"You're nearly 30! Who hasn't gotten married at this age? Are you planning to stay single forever just because one relationship failed?" Dad snapped, slapping the table in frustration. His commanding eyes locked onto mine, clearly waiting for a firm answer.

"Dad, I said I'm just not thinking about it right now. If I meet someone I genuinely like, I'll let you both know. Can we drop it for now?" I sighed.

Conversations with Dad always gave me a headache. He was never one to listen to reason.

"Fine. Forget about marriage, but when do you plan to quit your job and come home to take over the family business?"

That switch in topic caught me completely off guard. So, that was what he was really getting at.

"I love my job. Becoming a doctor has always been my dream. Besides, you're not that old yet and are fully capable of running the company. Why the rush?"

"Don't get cute with me. Didn't you say I'm getting old?"

In the end, it turned into another argument—no resolution, just more tension. I was kicked out before dinner was even served.

Watching the sunset fade into the horizon, Ket out a deep sigh. I was the only child, and ever since I was young, I had dreamed of becoming a doctor. I had zero interest in@unning the family business.

That was why Dad and I had butted heads for years, our conflict only growing more and more irreconcilable.

"I know being a doctor is your dream," Mom said softly, "and we've supported you all these years. But now that you've been doing this job for a while, maybe it's time to think about coming back and taking over."

I corrected her gently, "Being a doctor isn't a game."

She sighed. There was a rare trace of weariness in her voice. "Just... think about it, okay?"

...

"How's Ms. Gomez in Room 503 doing?"

Back at the hospital, I threw myself into work immediately. After wrapping up a

round of patient consultations, I remembered Kourtney.

"She's already been discharged," a nurse replied.

"What?"

"She checked out two days ago. You weren't here, so another doctor signed off on

it."

I frowned. Her recovery was

supposed to take at least two months. It had not even been one-how could she leave so early? Did she not care about the risk of long-term complications? noveldrama

For some reason, a wave of irritation rose within me. Why was she being so

careless with her own health?

"Pull up her contact info. I'll do a follow-up."