Chapter 42 Chapter 42
Chapter 42
"That’s unlike you," Dr. Lui said, pushing his glasses up as he scribbled something on the paper.
Ethan sat across from him, his hands buried deep in his pockets. He didn’t say a word. His face was calm as always, but his eyes carried something else something he didn’t like to admit existed.
"I don’t feel anything," he finally said. "She’s just a random person."
Dr. Lui looked up from his notes, smiling a little. "You said the same thing when I asked about your assistant last time."
Ethan looked away. "It’s true. She’s just a normal employee. Maybe I just… I don’t know. Maybe I just care a little. But I don’t understand why I feel that way, and I don’t want to feel it again."
"You can lie to yourself, Ethan," Dr. Lui said, leaning back. "But your heart can’t. Even if your past turned you this way, it can never stop you from feeling again. You’re still human."
Ethan’s jaw tightened. "I’m not in love with her, Doctor. Don’t start with that."
Dr. Lui raised a brow. "In love? "
Ethan exhaled sharply. "You said it, not me. But it’s not that. She’s not even my type of woman. I don’t like her, I don’t want to like her, and that’s final."
Dr. Lui smiled again, this time amused. "Oh, wow. So now she’s not your type, but you care?"
Ethan frowned. "Don’t make this complicated. I don’t care. She just… she looked scared the other day. Anyone would’ve cared. Even you would’ve, Doctor."
Dr. Lui nodded slowly. "I see. So that’s what this is about? The elevator incident?"
Ethan rubbed his temple. "She screamed like someone losing her mind, and I didn’t even flinch. I just stood there, pretending it didn’t affect me. But for some reason, that sound… it got stuck in my head."
"Stuck?" Dr. Lui repeated.
Ethan glared at him. "You’re doing that thing again where you twist my words."
"I’m not twisting anything," Dr. Lui said calmly. "You’re just trying too hard to sound like you don’t care when it’s obvious you do."
Ethan leaned forward. "I don’t care about her, Doctor. I care about peace. I don’t like chaos, and she brings it without even trying. That’s what I hate about this."
"So, you hate her for making you feel something you don’t want to feel?"
Ethan didn’t respond.
Dr. Lui smiled knowingly. "You already fell for her, Ethan."
Ethan scoffed. "No, Doc. Never. You’re overthinking it."
"I’ve been a therapist for over twenty years. You don’t have to say it; it’s written all over your body language."
Ethan laughed dryly. "You’re losing your touch, Doc. I have a company to run, deadlines to meet. I don’t have time for this love nonsense. She’s not even my taste of women."
Dr. Lui chuckled. "And yet, here you are, spending half the session talking about her."
Ethan fell silent. His eyes drifted toward the clock on the wall. He hated how quiet it suddenly got, how his thoughts began filling the room.
"I just…" he muttered. "I don’t want to go through that again."
"Go through what?"
Ethan clenched his fists. "Caring about someone. It makes me weak."
"Or human," Dr. Lui corrected softly.
Ethan looked up sharply. "Weak," he repeated. "I don’t want it. I’m fine the way I am."
Dr. Lui leaned forward this time, resting his elbows on the table.
"You’re not fine, Ethan. You’re functioning, but not fine. You’ve buried yourself in work, pills, and silence for so long that you’ve forgotten what it feels like to actually live."
Ethan didn’t reply. His jaw flexed as he looked away.
"I’m not saying fall in love," Dr. Lui continued gently. "I’m saying don’t punish yourself for being capable of it."
Ethan stood up suddenly, straightening his suit. "Good night, Doctor Lui. Believe it or not, there’s nothing there. No feelings, no connection just coincidence."
Dr. Lui watched him quietly. "You’re walking away again, Ethan."
Ethan turned toward the door. "Like I always do," he said coldly.
Just as he reached for the handle, Dr. Lui said, "Before you go, I should let you know Mrs. Maria Castellan was here."
Ethan froze. His hand stopped midair.
Dr. Lui continued, “She wanted to talk about your father’s....”
"I don’t want to hear anything about that, Dr. Lui," Ethan cut him off, his voice sharp.
He turned the handle and left in a haste, the door closing behind him with a firm sound.
Dr. Lui stared at the door long after he left. He sighed, whispering to himself, “You can run from your feelings, Ethan, but they always find their way back.”
Outside, Ethan walked toward his car. The night breeze brushed against his face, but his mind wasn’t quiet.
He unlocked his Lamborghini and sa
t inside, gripping the steering wheel.
"Not my taste," he repeated under his breath, almost convincing himself.
But then her voice echoed faintly in his head.Her trembling tone, her face,her panic, her apology.
He started the engine instantly, as if the sound alone irritated him.