Nina froze, her eyes widening. She hadn't expected there to be another woman in the house. She wanted to assume Liesa was just a maid, but the clothes she was wearing quickly proved otherwise.
"Angus, I've been waiting for you all day," Liesa said, flashing him a warm smile as she walked over to him. She sat down beside him effortlessly, placing her slender hand on his arm, her touch natural and confident.
Angus glanced at her sideways, about to speak, but Liesa leaned in, her voice dropping low enough for only the two of them to hear. "If you snap now, you've already lost."
Her tone was playful, almost like she was talking to a child. Angus's eyes flickered with sarcasm. He hadn't expected this woman—who, despite her obvious foolishness—could read him better than Nina. She could tell he was on the verge of losing his temper.
Nina stood frozen, eyes wide with disbelief as she watched them. "You... you two..."
Liesa smiled softly, almost sweetly. "Miss Swanson, I think you're misunderstanding. First of all, Angus really isn't interested in you. And second, the reason he stays home so much is because I like to. He's just keeping me company."
"It's impossible. That's impossible!" Nina's gaze snapped to Angus, desperation flashing in her eyes as she searched for reassurance.
Angus was done. Seeing her pathetic expression only fueled his disgust. "Get out. Don't make me say it again."
Nina froze, her face painted with disbelief. Her voice shook with anger. "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could you have a girlfriend?"
Liesa's gaze softened with a touch of pity. "Miss Swanson, I understand how you feel, but please, have some dignity. With someone as remarkable as Angus, how could he not have a girlfriend?" She gently rested her hand on the back of his, the warmth of her palm contrasting the coldness of his hand.
Angus raised an eyebrow but didn't pull away.
Nina, standing there, felt the ground shift beneath her. Her self-pity slapped her in the face, and it suddenly felt hard to breathe.
Her mind was spinning, a jumbled mess as she stumbled backward. "I... I have things to do. I'll leave now..." Her voice trailed off, and she hurried out, her steps disoriented.
As soon as Nina was out of sight, Liesa pulled her hand away from Angus's, standing with a smile. "Sorry, Mr. Romano. I took matters into my own hands."
Angus glanced at where her hand had been, his expression unreadable. "How did you know what we were talking about? Were you eavesdropping?"
Liesa's smile never wavered. "I just happened to pass by." Angus shot her a sidelong glance, clearly unconvinced.
Ignoring his skepticism, Liesa continued in her gentle tone, "But Miss Swanson is strange. Why would she come to talk to you like that? You two don't even seem close."
"She's not the first woman to come here," Angus replied, his voice cool, tinged with disdain. He knew exactly what these women wanted. His legs might be crippled, but as long as he had his looks, they wouldn't leave him alone. But no matter how much they threw themselves at him, he could never care for any of them.
Liesa nodded, understanding more than most. She had seen enough of Angus's face to know how it worked. The man was impossibly handsome. Even in a wheelchair, he attracted more attention than most people could handle. She'd already read his medical report—his right leg was only mildly impaired, not enough to justify the wheelchair. He simply couldn't bear the idea of being seen limping. His pride wouldn't allow it.
She thought for a moment before offering some comfort. "Mr. Romano, don't worry. Once word gets out that you have a girlfriend, I'm sure no other women will bother you."
Angus scoffed, a sneer playing at the corner of his lips. He looked at her with arrogance. "Help me."
"Of course," Liesa nodded, moving the wheelchair next to the sofa and reaching out to assist him.
But she'd forgotten the difference in strength between a therapist and a rehab specialist. As Angus shifted his weight toward her, Liesa lost her balance and collapsed with a thud. Angus, unprepared, fell back onto the sofa.
The room fell silent.
"…Sorry," Liesa said, sitting up straight, her ears flushed. Trying to cover her embarrassment, she reached into her sweater pocket and pulled out a piece of milk candy. "Mr. Romano, would you like some?"
Angus stared at the woman kneeling in front of him, his expression unreadable. "This is the second time."
"…I swear, there won't be a third!" Liesa blurted out, her face turning redder.