Little Lamb

was still standing dazedly inside the last ward. I had heard every single statement that Damon said. Though I didn’t want to agree, I never expected him to do this much.

I thought that the most Damon would do was to ask the hospital to treat my mom. Never in my dreams had I imagined that Damon would end up terrorizing the entire hospital just for my mom.

But more than admiration, what I felt was self-reproach. I always felt that I was strong and independent. But today I ended up realizing how weak and helpless I was. If not for Damon, I was sure that even the nurses wouldn’t be willing to give a second glance to my unconscious mom.

“So how was my performance?”

No one knew when Damon had entered the ward and come this close to me. I felt his presence at my shoulder before turning to him and taking a step back.

I gave a deep bow to Damon before lifting my head.

“Thank you,” I said with utmost sincerity.

Damon was stunned by my gesture. It took him some time to digest the sincerity I was showing him, as this was not something that he was used to.

He cleared his throat before holding my shoulders with both of his hands. His grip was firm, almost bruising.

“Don’t thank me,” he said, voice low and flat. “You are my wife now. Your mother is under my protection only because of that. Nothing more.”

I didn’t believe even a single word from this. But I was grateful that he had started treatment for my mom. Though I would never accept him as my husband, I made a mental note that I would definitely pay him back for this huge debt.

A nurse informed us that my mother would be undergoing a surgery now and we could wait outside the operation theatre. I ignored Damon and followed behind the nurse at a quick pace.

Soon I reached outside the operation theatre and stood in front of those doors.

“Standing there for an hour will not help the doctors,” Damon said. He moved his gaze toward my legs. “Your legs will go numb. Then you will only become another burden I have to carry.”

He sat leisurely on the bench, watching me with that same cold, unreadable expression.

I silently lowered my head before walking toward the opposite bench and sitting on it. I did not want to argue with Damon. I was trying my best to obey his demands without refuting him.

But this was exactly what was irking him. The Liana he knew would always fight till the end, no matter how small or big the issue would be.

I was sitting opposite to him and obeying everything he said. Whether he mocked or insulted me, I was silently accepting it without a single word of rebuttal.

“I have already asked my men to shift all your luggage from that so-called house of yours to my home. From today onwards you will be residing there with me,” Damon said, deliberately pushing.

And he received the response he was waiting for.

“Mr. Damon, I understand that both of us are legally married, but can’t you see the situation around you? My mother is undergoing surgery. Once she is out, she will need me. I am not coming home until my mom is discharged,” I spoke in a firm voice.

Damon’s eyebrow rose slowly.

“Mr. Damon. How formal of you. Now listen carefully. I do not care about your situation. If I say you are coming home with me today, then you are coming home with me today. Do not test my patience.”

“I cannot leave my mom like this. Also, I cannot tell her about this marriage for the time being, at least until her situation is stabilized. That is the only wish I have,” I said while trying to control my almost raging voice.

“I have already arranged for a caretaker. You do not need to stay here twenty-four hours. Invent whatever excuse you want. And I will allow you to hide this marriage from her only until her discharge. If she is still unaware after that, I will make sure the news reaches her in the most public way possible.”

“What excuse can I make, Damon? I have already resigned from my previous work and I am unemployed right now. Won’t she doubt me for leaving her even after knowing her condition? And how can I explain that she is residing in a VVIP ward with a caretaker? I cannot even afford that!” I said with complete frustration.

“Unemployed,” he repeated, almost thoughtfully. “That gives you even more reason not to stay by her side. Tell her you are searching for a job. She will not doubt that.”

He leaned back slightly.

“As for the ward and the caretaker—I am not here to solve every problem for you, Liana. You are my wife. You will work for me. That is your job now. Handle the rest yourself.”

I wanted to refute him when the light for the operation theatre turned off.

“The patient is out of danger. But she will have to remain in hospital for another two weeks for recovery. Till then we will observe her,” the doctors said before giving a bow and quickly leaving the site as soon as possible.

My mother was shifted back to the VVIP ward and by the time I entered, a caretaker was already standing beside her, adjusting the room temperature.

“Good afternoon. I have been assigned as a caretaker for your mother. If you have any request or doubts, feel free to speak,” the girl said politely.

“No, I just wanted to thank you. Also, please don’t address me in any special way in front of my mom. Just call me Liana. Don’t tell her about my marriage,” I reminded.

“Understood, Miss Liana. I will keep that in mind,” the caretaker replied before bowing again.

Damon stood at the door, watching the entire exchange in silence.

“Time to leave,” he said. His voice carried no warmth, only quiet command.

I looked at my mother. Her face was pale, her breathing shallow but steady. The machines around her beeped in a calm, steady rhythm.

I did not want to go. Every part of me wanted to stay, to sit by her side and wait until she opened her eyes. But I already knew what would happen if I refused again.

I turned toward Damon. His expression had not changed. He was simply waiting, certain that I would follow.

I looked at my mom one last time before saying...