Page 35 of Dr. Damaged Protector

"You haven't picked when?" I blinked twice.

"Well, I suggested some days in spring, but he has friends planning major things around the time," she explained like it made sense. "So we might have a summer wedding instead. But I'm not sure."

"You've always wanted a spring wedding," I reminded her. "and this is the perfect time. Why do you get to sacrifice what you want for him?"

"I mean, love means we're supposed to understand what each other wants," she explained.

"That's contradictory to what's happening between you and James," I explained. "You're the only one doing the understanding. I don't think you should continue if…."

"I know what I'm doing, Olivia," she said, frowning at me for suggesting she'd leave.

Well,almostsuggesting that she should leave the engagement.

"I know, but you can't keep letting him treat you like that," I insisted stubbornly. “You have a man who treats you like your opinions are useless. I can't let my friend go through that."

"You haven't been in a relationship, so you have no idea how this should work," she snarled and got to her feet. "Have you had breakfast? I'll get you something to eat."

"I'm not hungry," I said, still angry that she cut me off.

"Alright, you best get ready for work," she suggested, leaving for the kitchen.

"Maybe I will." I frowned and got up to leave.

I stopped and noticed a mark on her neck that hadn't been there recently.

Lucas

Usually, I tend to keep my nose out of matters that do not concern me, but I was worried about the Kate girl. Before I left for the hospital that morning, I overheard them trying to pick a wedding date. While it was a surprise that they had yet to pick a date, I was taken aback when I noticed that Kate was suggesting, and Father shot down most of her suggestions with stupid excuses.

That wasn't everything that made me a tad bit worried. One of the things was the lovemaking. While I don't care what happens in another man's bedroom, I didn't like the marks I saw around her neck.

I hardly spoke to her, save for a simple greeting and asking each other how our days went. That was it. I had no idea what the two were up to, but clearly, Kate didn't like it, but it didn't seem to stop my father.

It felt like I was watching myself and my siblings mindlessly obeying Father out of fear. Hopefully, his humanity hasn't sunk so low that he'd hit Kate.

I considered telling Olivia, as she was the main reason I was worried about Kate in the first place. If anything happened to Kate and she left, it would have an impact on my relationship with Olivia, and she'd also end up going. I wasn't ready to lose the woman a second time.

Then again, it would have been entirely selfish of me to keep what I knew to myself.

"Maybe she can talk some sense into Kate," I said as I pulled out my phone.

Olivia was meant to come to the hospital in the afternoon, so getting her check on her best friend before getting to the office was a good idea. I was about to dial her number when Olivia entered my office with eyes that harbored fury.

"Your father is an asshole!" She pointed at me like I had anything to do with it, and I didn't even complain.

"Good morning to you, too," I said.

"Sorry, good morning, sir," she sighed.

"About that, I think you should just address me as Lucas or Dr. Hills," I suggested. "Calling me sir makes me feel weird."

"Alright, Dr. Hills," she affirmed.

I wanted her to call me by name, but she was pretty intent on keeping things between us professional.

On to the pressing issue.

"So, what possessed you to speak nothing but the truth about the old man?" I asked.

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