The Tiger Inside

by Nasu Hasami

Orthopaedic surgeon Mulan Hua is dedicated to her career and determined to rise above the statistics of her profession. But that shouldn't mean she has to compromise on the things she wants. Surely, in the 21st Century, a girl can have everything. (Flash fiction series. Companion story to The Nightingale's Song.)

7. Indifference

The Tiger Inside

By Nasu Hasami

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"You only see what people want you to see."

~Oasis~

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7. Indifference

Staff Sergeant Shan Yu's down on one knee and it's romantic and dinner was perfect, but it's all wrong. So wrong.

Mulan knows it's wrong the moment she sees the ring.

'No!' she yelps, before Shan's even asked the question. She scrambles to close the trademark blue box. 'No.'

'No?' asks her boyfriend of six years. 'No?'

'No.' Mulan says the word with more confidence. 'No, Shan. I don't want to marry you.'

Shan sets his jaw. He's swallowing more than his pride as he shoves the ring in his pocket. 'Good thing I kept the fucking receipt!'

When he storms out of the restaurant, Mulan is flooded with relief. A moment later, she's flooded with guilt. She knows she should probably feel more than she does.