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.)

51. Vulnerable

The Tiger Inside

By Nasu Hasami

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"Nothing you confess could make me love you any less."

~Pretenders~

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51. Vulnerable

When Mulan gets home from work, there's a shiny new Fazioli sitting in the living room with a bow around it. On the console table behind the lounge, there's an enormous bouquet of red roses. Mulan checks the card with shaking hands as she dumps her handbag.

For my heart and liver.

It was more romantic in Chinese.

She slips into the shower feeling a little emotional.

It's been nine months to the day since the assault. Nine months since she'd had a piano.

Five months since she'd started dating the most wonderful human in the world.

Seven months if the stairwell kissing counted.

Mulan smiles as she slips on some sweats and Shang's Stanford hoodie. The stairwell kissing definitely counted.