Not Your Doormat Anymore

I stood off to the side and watched coldly without a hint of expression.

Samuel turned toward me and gave me a provocative smile. "Dr. Ranford, it's been a while."

"Do you two know each other?" Dr. Crowell looked surprised.

Samuel nodded. "The last time we met, Dr. Ranford was my senior. Who would've thought that now, I'd be the one taking over his position? What a coincidence."

Dr. Crowell laughed heartily. "The new generation always surpasses the old. Dr. Ranford is certainly rule-abiding, but sometimes he can be a bit too rigid-unlike you, Dr. Huxley."

Even as Dr. Crowell openly mocked me in front of others and compared me unfavorably to Samuel, I didn't show any reaction. After all, I had seen this kind of scene play out before, years ago. Back then, I knew one day I would face this, too.

Then, like now, my choices had not changed.

"Dr. Ranford, I look forward to working with you." Samuel extended his hand with

a smile so fake it practically dripped off his face.

I walked right past him. "With your talent, Dr. Huxley, I doubt you need anything from me."

Ever since the hospital brought Samuel in to replace me, my schedule had lightened significantly. I started spending more time back at my apartment.

Naturally, Kourtney was delighted. Whenever she had a moment, she would cook me meals and switch things up every day.

But I began noticing that she was getting home much later than her usual working hours.

With no surgeries to do, my own schedule was light-just patient consultations- so I was often home.

Seeing her return, looking exhausted, I asked her directly, "I thought your office hours ended at 6:00 pm. Why are you getting back at 8:00 pm?"

She froze for a second, then lifted the grocery bag in her hand and said softly, "I... I went grocery shopping."

"I see. Do you have enough money? I can give you more. You're cooking for me, so it's not right for you to pay for everything yourself."

"No, no, I've got enough!" she said quickly, shaking her head vigorously. "Buying groceries and cooking at home is way cheaper than eating out-it really doesn't cost much."

She had just started her new job this month, but I had already spoken to the finance department to give her an advance on her salary. So, she still had money left over.

"Oh, right! Dr. Ranford, I cleaned up your room. I changed everything-come see if you like it."

She looked at me cautiously, clearly trying to steer the conversation away from the earlier topic. Seeing how nervous she was, I just nodded. "Alright."

When I opened the door, I was pleasantly surprised. The wallpaper and overall style were the same as before, but somehow, the entire room felt different.

The bedding had been swapped for warm tones, a soft white rug now lay beside the bed, and the nightstand held a few small and delicate decorations.noveldrama

There were practical storage shelves

and everyday essentials neatly arranged. Even the desk and computer table had been

reorganized. Kourtney had placed a vase of baby's breath on the desk.

There were also a few small pots of succulents and mini cacti on the computer

table—tiny clusters of green that were surprisingly refreshing to look at.

It seemed like nothing major had changed, yet everything felt different. For the first time, my room didn't feel separate from the rest of the apartment-it felt like part of a reat home.

After looking around, I left the room, satisfied. "Thanks. You really put a lot of thought into it. I like it a lot."

"I'm glad you do. Oh, and I still have half the money left."

Kourtney tried to return it, but I waved her off. "Keep it. Use it for groceries or anything else we need for the apartment."