Chapter 5

So, for a while, I actively tried to avoid Mia. Whenever I looked at that innocent face of hers, I felt like a monster.

That was when Charlie "accidentally" stumbled into Mia's space. Compared to my scarred face, disfigured by severe burns, Charlie's handsome features made him even more alluring. So I suppose it made sense that Mia fell for him at first sight.

After that, Mia spent her days staring blankly at the door while also growing increasingly dismissive of me. On the rare occasions we spent time together, all she wanted to do was ask about Charlie.

"Was that guy from the other day your brother? Why hasn't he come back lately? What's his name? What does he like to eat? What's his favorite color?"

Before this incident, I hadn't seen Charlie in a long time.

Once I became an adult, I kicked his family of three out of my mother's house. Then, after Dad died, I cut off all contact with him and his mother.

When I looked back on the security footage, I saw that Charlie had run right into Mia while he came back to the house to grab some priceless artwork. He was so scared out of his mind that he ran away, while she fell in love with him instantly.

How ironic.

"You want to see him?" I asked.

Mia blushed and nodded.

I remembered what my attending physician had told me—keeping a mermaid in a good mood would be beneficial to the growth of her heart.

So, I agreed.

I allowed Charlie to come over on certain days and keep Mia company. But Mia quickly grew dissatisfied with seeing him just once or even three times a week. She wanted nothing more than to spend every single day with him, and she began to resent me for it.

"What right do you have to keep Charlie from me? How dare you restrict my freedom? Who do you think you are?

"You're so selfish, Rick Hardy! Trapping me by your side isn't love—it's imprisonment!"

…

"Rick is so selfish. You're his brother, and he won't even help you find a job."

The sound of Mia's voice in the present overlapped with the one from my memories.

"Don't say that about Ricky. He's just too busy. That's why he hasn't helped."

"With how he spends all his time hovering around me, it really doesn't look like he's that busy. You're just too kind, Charlie."

I had no intention of interrupting their little moment together, but the crepes in my hand were getting cold, and I didn't want to give Mia another excuse to make a scene.

I pushed the door open and walked in.

The moment Mia saw me return, her expression instantly hardened.

"Get Charlie a job at your company."

It wasn't a request. It was an order, delivered as though she were entitled to it. She knew I wouldn't refuse her.

"Sure."

Hearing my answer, Charlie finally pulled away from Mia. He took the crepes from my hand and shot me a smug, taunting look.

"See that, big brother? You'll always lose to me."

I had no idea what he was so proud of. Was dating a fish really something to brag about?

"Lose to you at what?"

The smile on his face stiffened.

"Even now, you're still playing dumb? You must hate me for stealing Mia away from you."

Anything that could be stolen was never that important to begin with. Dad was one example, and Mia was another.

The people and things I truly cared about, Charlie would never be able to take from me.

"I only want her heart. You can have the rest of her."

Neither human nor fish seemed capable of understanding me. No wonder they made such a good couple.