Chapter 10: Who is More Handsome?

 

Sebastian stared at the intercom screen. Was he dreaming? He pinched his thigh. No sensation. Right. But the voice was real.

"Mr. Sterling!" Harper chirped again. "What do you want for breakfast? I'm taking orders!"

Sebastian cleared his throat, trying to sound like he hadn't been wallowing in despair for 48 hours. He deepened his voice. "Just... a Savory Crepe."

"Coming right up!"

Click. The intercom went silent.

Sebastian sat there for a moment, a small, self-deprecating smile touching his lips. She came back. She actually came back.

He forced himself into action. He maneuvered into his wheelchair and rolled into the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, he winced. He looked like a wreck. Stubble on his chin, dark circles under his eyes.

He shaved carefully. Washed his face. Put on a crisp white shirt. He checked every angle. He had to look perfect. He couldn't let her see how lonely he had been.

When he rolled into the kitchen, the smell of toasted wheat and coffee greeted him. Harper was standing by the stove. She was wearing a new hair ribbon—pink with peach blossoms.

She turned around, her eyes curving into crescents. "Good morning, Boss! Your crepe is ready."

Sebastian nodded coolly. "Morning."

He took a sip of the hot milk she placed in front of him. He tried to sound casual. "Did you enjoy your... weekend off?"

"Yeah," Harper flipped the crepe expertly. "I helped out at my family's clinic. Spent time with my parents."

"If you miss them," Sebastian said, trying to be a considerate boss, "you should call them more often."

"I never call them," Harper said flatly.

Sebastian paused, his cup hovering mid-air. Never call? Did she have a bad relationship with them too? Like him and his father? A pang of sympathy hit him. So, behind that sunshine smile, she was also lonely.

"I understand," Sebastian said softly. "Family can be... complicated."

Harper looked at him, confused. Complicated? No, it's just that video calls are better for sign language. You can't sign over a voice call. But she didn't correct him. Let the rich guy have his dramatic moment.

---

[The Handsome Doctor]

An hour later, the doorbell rang again.

Harper checked the monitor. A man in a casual blazer stood there, checking his reflection in the camera lens.

"Hello," the man winked at the camera. "I'm Dr. Ryan Cole. Sebastian's best friend. And yes, I know I'm handsome."

Harper frowned. "Another 'friend'?" She ran to Sebastian. "Boss, there's a guy named Ryan at the door. He claims he's your friend. Is he? Or should I get the broom?"

Sebastian actually chuckled. "Let him in. He's harmless. Annoying, but harmless."

Harper opened the door, eyeing Ryan suspiciously. Ryan strode in, looking around. He spotted Harper and grinned. "So, you're the famous Harper? The one who made Sebastian eat?"

He leaned in, whispering loudly. "Be honest. Are you secretly in love with me?"

Harper blinked. "Excuse me?"

Ryan turned to Sebastian. "See? She's stunned by my beauty. It happens all the time at the hospital."

Sebastian rolled his eyes so hard it probably hurt. "Ryan, shut up."

Ryan laughed, sitting on the sofa. "Admit it, Harper. Who is more handsome? Me, the charming doctor? Or him, the grumpy ice block?"

Harper looked at Ryan. He was good-looking, in a flashy way. Then she looked at Sebastian. Even in a wheelchair, even with his scars, Sebastian had a quiet, intense power. His features were sharp, elegant, like a marble statue.

"Objectively speaking," Harper said seriously. "Mr. Sterling is much more handsome."

Ryan gasped, clutching his chest. "Ouch! Rejected!"

Sebastian’s ears turned pink. He coughed, looking away. "Enough nonsense. Check my legs."

Ryan’s expression instantly changed. The playboy mask dropped, replaced by professional seriousness. He knelt down. "Harper, maybe you should give us a moment..."

"No," Sebastian interrupted. "She stays."

Ryan looked surprised. "Are you sure? You never let anyone see..."

"She's seen them," Sebastian said calmly. "Besides, if I hide anything, she'll probably steal my battery again."

Ryan gaped. "She stole your battery?" He looked at Harper with newfound respect. "You are my hero."

Ryan rolled up Sebastian's pant leg. Harper watched closely as Ryan examined the muscles and checked the reflexes.

"The muscle atrophy is slowing down," Ryan said, tapping his pen on the chart. "Your nerves are not dead, Sebastian. They are dormant. With proper therapy... there is a chance."

"A chance?" Harper’s eyes widened. "You mean he can walk again?!"

Ryan smiled. "Yes. I did the surgery myself. I'd say... 90% chance."

"That's amazing!" Harper clapped her hands. "Dr. Ryan, tell me what to do! I'll make him do exercises! I'll cook bone broth! I'll—"

"First rule," Ryan cut her off, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Tell no one."

"Not even Liam?"

"No one," Ryan said sternly.

"Why?"

"Because the car accident three months ago wasn't an accident," Ryan’s eyes were cold. "It was an assassination attempt. Someone wanted him dead. If they know he's recovering... they will finish the job."

Harper felt a chill run down her spine. Assassination. This wasn't just a job anymore. It was a thriller movie.

"I understand," Harper nodded solemnly. "My lips are sealed."

"Good," Ryan stood up. "Second rule: Keep him happy. Stress is bad for nerve regeneration."

Harper pointed at herself. "Me? Keep him happy?"

She looked at Sebastian, who was sitting there with his permanent scowl.

"Boss," Harper sighed. "Can you even be happy?"

Sebastian looked at her. He clasped his hands together, his thumb rubbing against his palm.

"Try me," he said.