Chapter 4

"I don't want to take it. That medicine's too bitter," Mia whined.

"You have to!" I shot back instantly.

If Mia didn't take the medicine on schedule, it would affect her physical development, which would in turn compromise the medicinal potency of her heart.

"If you don't take it, it'll affect your physical growth."

Mia thoroughly enjoyed seeing how anxious I looked. It was as if she was thinking, "See? He claimed he didn't want my love, but he's clearly obsessed with me. Look at how he cares about my medication schedule more than I do."

"What happens to my body has nothing to do with you," Mia said deliberately.

She wanted to see me fret over her. It gave her the satisfying feeling of being adored and doted on.

"How could it have nothing to do with me?"

It had everything to do with me. It would determine when the ugly scar on my face could finally be healed!

Mia, of course, assumed I cared about her physical health because I loved her. She leaned against the edge of the tank, looking delighted.

"Fine, I'll take the medicine. But only if you go to the south side of town and buy me some crepes."

Crepes? Did fish even eat crepes?

While I was still bewildered, Charlie leaned in and planted a kiss on Mia's face, looking deeply moved.

"I can't believe you remembered my favorite snacks, Mia!" Charlie chirped while casting a smug look in my direction.

"Of course I remember, Charlie. I remember everything when it comes to you."

So it was Charlie who liked eating crepes.

I had no intention of watching the two of them be all lovey-dovey in front of me anyway, so I decided I might as well take the opportunity to get some fresh air.

"Fine," I said, interrupting the two. "But take the medicine first."

Seeing that I agreed, Mia reluctantly gulped down the medicine. Once she finished, I turned and left.

On my way to buy the crepes, I couldn't help but recall the very first time I saw Mia.

At the time, she'd been kept in a tiny tank at an illegal laboratory. She was covered in wounds, and she could barely even turn her body around.

Unable to hear the conversations outside the tank, Mia instinctively curled in on herself whenever anyone approached—a trauma response from long-term abuse.

"Her condition won't affect the medicinal potency of the heart, will it?" I asked.

The seller rubbed his hands together ingratiatingly.

"Mr. Hardy, don't let her current state fool you. A little care will fix her right up. She still has a while before reaching maturity anyway. Mermaids are extremely rare these days. It took me a tremendous amount of effort to source a top-quality specimen like this for you."

I looked at Mia inside the tank, so small and pitiful. She clearly fell short of my requirements, but I still couldn't help feeling a little sympathy for her.

"Alright. I'll take her."

After paying a hefty price for her, I brought her home and spent a fortune having a climate-controlled indoor tank built specifically for her.

Having never experienced such a vast body of water, she swam around excitedly, exploring every inch of it.

"Rick Hardy!"

Mia grabbed my hand and swore, "I promise I'll repay you for saving my life!"

In the beginning, she really was wonderful to me.

She'd carefully prepare gifts for me, like the pearl necklace she'd strung together using her own tears.

"Rick, I know this necklace isn't worth much, but I spent a long time making it. You can't hate it, okay?"

She looked at me pitifully, as if she were terrified I wouldn't like her gift.

"Rick, the weather forecast says it's going to rain today. Make sure you wear something warm!"

"Rick, I went online and learned some massage techniques just for you. Come try it!"

I didn't dare respond too warmly to Mia, who looked at me as if I were her whole world. In fact, I felt deeply guilty.

She was so good to me, yet all I wanted from her was her mermaid heart.