I Just Want Her Heart... Literally

Mia Merrow, the mermaid I spent a fortune to buy, looks down on me for my ugly appearance. Instead, she turns around and falls for my handsome and gorgeous stepbrother, Charlie Pickler. I bankroll her medical treatments. She says I don't put enough thought into it. I build her the most luxurious environment to live in. She calls me tasteless and undignified. Yet, a simple sticker that Charlie casually tosses to her becomes the most priceless treasure in her eyes. "It's just an ordinary sticker, but to me, it's the most precious treasure in the world!" she gushes. "A money-obsessed man like you could never understand!" They embrace right in front of me, hoping I'll give them my blessing. "Give up, Rick. No matter what you do, you'll never hold a candle to Charlie." "Exactly, Ricky. Mia doesn't love you, so why force her?" Watching the two of them play off each other right in front of me, I can't help but laugh inwardly. Who said anything about wanting Mia's love? As I gently run my fingers over the burn scars across my face, I quietly remind myself that there are only three days left before Mia reaches maturity. They say the heart of an adult mermaid, when ground into medicine, could heal any scar. "My sweet, darling Mia," I mused to myself. "I've given you so much. In three days, it'll be your turn to give something back to me."