Angela Bennett could be young, but she was far from naive.
From an early age, she exhibited abilities that set her apart from her peers.
She was what many would call a prodigy.
By the age of twelve, she had already mastered the foundational knowledge that most middle or even high school students struggled with.
Her strengths extended beyond just analytical thinking—her emotional intelligence was equally remarkable.
With just a few carefully chosen expressions and seemingly innocent remarks, she could easily mislead most adults, who would often underestimate her and grant her requests without a second thought.
People had always fascinated her.
What kind of face would this man show if she acted innocent and approachable? How long could this woman tolerate her behavior, relying only on the emotional bond they had built so far?
Depending on how Angela chose to present herself, people would reveal entirely different sides of who they were.
She was an avid reader, and people were her favorite books.
That curiosity was what led her to become a psychiatrist at the age of 16. She wanted to understand the minds of those labeled as "problematic" by society.
Since then 10 years have passed, her experiences were enough to give lectures at renowned colleges.
Until now, there hadn't been a single patient she couldn't read with just a glance.
At least, not until today.
A child who hadn't spoken a single word since they met. She didn't seem uncomfortable—on the contrary, she acted as if none of this concerned her. She simply sat in her wheelchair, silently drawing, detached from the world around her.
'This is going to be difficult.'
Those were Angela's first thoughts.
She had read a brief report before the meeting. A child with an unknown background, found in critical condition outside a hospital.
After a few weeks of treatment, she was adopted by a stable family—headed by the very doctor who had found her.
It was rare for children in such circumstances to be adopted so quickly, especially by someone so qualified. Most children from similar cases developed impulsive or aggressive behaviors due to trauma and neglect.
Angela's gaze shifted to the child's adoptive mother, studying her with curiosity.
In contrast to the silent child, the woman wore her past on her face.
A stern expression that made people keep their distance. Impeccably pressed clothes and an upright posture spoke of discipline and a need for control.
A woman of strong convictions—perhaps even a bit conservative.
It was an unusual combination, but one Angela found intriguing.
"Welcome. Please, feel free to take a seat."
Angela greeted them with a gentle smile, guiding both the child and her mother into the room.
Priyanka's expression immediately softened as their eyes met.
That was the quiet power of a smile—people naturally responded to it with warmth.
"Thank you," she replied, her voice polite and composed.
She took a seat beside the child, gently fixing her hair and adjusting her clothes before finally meeting Angela's eyes.
"Nice to meet you, Dr. Bennett."
"Nice to meet you as well."
Angela replied with a warm smile.
She calmly organized her documents before skimming through the information inside.
"You must be Mrs. Priyanka, right? And this little sweetheart beside you must be Asha?"
"Yes."
She nodded with a polite gesture, offering no further words.
"So, Mrs. Priyanka, was there something recent that led you to seek counseling? Did something bad happen?"
"…"
Silence settled in as Priyanka gathered her thoughts.
"You're not entirely wrong."
To be honest, so much had happened that she didn't even know where to begin.
"This story may take a while."
"Don't worry, we have plenty of time to talk." Angela reassured her, pouring a cup of coffee and handing it to Priyanka.
"Do you like coffee?"
"Thank you."
Priyanka accepted the cup and moistened her dry lips as she organized her thoughts.
"As you might already know, the reason I'm here is because of my daughter."
Angela nodded, watching her silently, without interruption.
"Asha received some basic psychological care at the hospital, but since this goes beyond our field, this is her first time receiving specialized treatment."
"When she arrived at the hospital, her condition was so severe it made even experienced doctors falter. It's no exaggeration to say the fact she's alive is a miracle."
She glanced at the girl beside her with a thoughtful expression.
Even now, Asha hadn't glanced at them once—completely absorbed in her drawings.
Priyanka knew that unless she took the notebook directly from her hands, her focus wouldn't shift.
"It's a blessing you were there at the right time," Angela said, a sincere look of astonishment on her face.
The details were even more serious than the reports had suggested.
"Yes, but unfortunately, there were wounds I couldn't heal, no matter how hard I tried," Priyanka said, her expression darkening. "Asha was indifferent to pain and everything around her. She spent most days lying motionless. If not for her heartbeat, anyone would've thought she had already passed away."
Of course, the real reason Asha hadn't interacted with anyone wasn't trauma—it was because she was busy simulating her own heartbeat.
But for Priyanka, who had met her without any context, she had no choice but to rationalize the behavior on her own.
Angela listened quietly, waiting for her to continue.
Priyanka stared at the coffee, her uneasy reflection staring back, trying to keep her emotions steady.
"About a week later, I found Asha near the window with her hands stretched outward. With just a little more effort, she could've leaned out far enough to end her life."
Priyanka clenched her fists, recalling the image of the girl—so thin she seemed ready to vanish.
What are the people who did this to her doing right now?
The thought that someone could walk away unpunished after such cruelty made her chest burn with anger.
"As a human being, I couldn't leave this child alone. I felt that if I abandoned her in that moment, the scene I feared most would become a reality."
Priyanka's hands trembled slightly as she spoke, though her voice remained composed.
Sitting in front of her, Angela didn't see a composed doctor. She saw an outraged mother.
Sadness, anger, and affection revealed themselves in every word she spoke.
"You don't have to force yourself."
She said in an attempted comfort, but Priyanka shook her head.
To ensure Asha received proper care, she had to speak—no matter how painful it was.
"Maybe I acted out of pity at first. I couldn't walk away. But as we spent time together, I saw how kind she truly is."
She looked down at the girl, still drawing with an innocent expression.
Priyanka gently brushed her hair.
"Even after everything, this child was still able to smile. A smile so pure it looked like it had been taken from a picture. I wanted to see that smile again and again. That's why I brought her here. Thinking back, I must have been out of my mind. It was an impulsive decision to adopt her—but I don't regret it."
"Asha is very lucky to have a mother like you."
"She deserves far better than me. In truth, I'm the one who's lucky to have found her first."
No child should forget how to smile or be deprived of happiness.
What she had done for Asha was something any decent human being should do. And yet, sitting in this psychiatric room made her question whether her way of helping had been the right one.
As a mother, Priyanka couldn't help but feel unqualified.
"For a moment, I thought everything was going well. But I let my guard down. The scars she carries aren't so easily healed."
"The moment I looked away, she cut herself. The wounds were deep enough that it's a miracle no scars were left behind. Even now, she refuses to tell me why. She always says she can't remember anything. I've never been able to prove it, but the shadows of her past are there."
Priyanka's story was far from something ordinary people would experience. It was as if she were living a real-life drama. However, even though it was unlike their own experiences, there wasn't a single person who couldn't sympathize with her case.
At the same time, she pointed out some truly suspicious details.
Why would this child pretend to have amnesia?
She wanted to know.
The moment curiosity took hold of her mind, her eyes were naturally drawn to the child.
'What is she drawing?'
When she tried to look at the contents of the notebook, her mouth opened in surprise without her intending it.
The girl had perfectly reproduced the physiognomy of lions in her notebook.
She had drawn many lions in various forms—some distorted, others extremely large, and some with mismatched limbs.
The lines were precise and without excess. Each one seemed intentional.
But what was even more impressive was that she hadn't only drawn their shapes—she had also sketched their internal organs and skeletal structures with enough realism to turn her fantasy into something tangible.
At first glance, Angela could only think, 'This girl is special.'
Her behavior was eccentric at first, but upon observing her actions more closely, it became even more outrageous.
How far did this child's intellect reach? Was she only good at drawing, or skilled in other areas as well?
Curiosity had already reached its peak in her mind.
"Doctor Bennett?" Priyanka's voice interrupted her excited thoughts.
"Ah, I'm sorry. I was impressed by your daughter's talent. Did you teach her to draw?"
"No, when I met Asha, she already had exceptional drawing skills."
"I see."
Considering her background, it was unlikely she had lived in good conditions, so there was a high possibility she was self-taught.
If that were true—reaching this level at such an early age without resources and alone—it was a talent beyond the ordinary.
"Ms. Priyanka, from what you've said, Asha is a very special child. I'll conduct a screening beforehand so we can talk calmly. Children with disabilities tend to display their emotions much more intensely than ordinary people."
Priyanka accepted the papers and listened attentively.
"Asha not only suffers from a disability but also from significant trauma. It's surprising that symptoms took so long to manifest after living with her family. I'd say the outlook is more optimistic than pessimistic."
"Is that so...?"
"Yes, and considering the fact that she demonstrated calm behavior in your presence, it shows that she genuinely trusts you. With proper treatment and family support, it won't be long before she reintegrates into society. Although these are just my thoughts based on what we discussed previously."
"And what should be the treatment for her case?"
That was what Priyanka was most curious about.
"I first need to ask the child some questions directly before I can prescribe anything. I'll also provide a psychiatric referral if regulatory medication is necessary. But I'd say it's enough to pay a little more attention and avoid leaving the patient alone for long periods of time."
Priyanka nodded in agreement. Most of the problems happened when Asha was left alone, but almost never when someone was by her side.
"It doesn't necessarily need to be your presence. You have a life and a job too. In this case, I recommend expanding the circle of people she can interact with, but if there isn't anyone like that, hiring someone to stay by her side is more than worthwhile. The government would also help you with the costs."
"I see, thank you."
That was somehow expected, but hearing it from someone specialized, in fact, reassured her a little.
"No need to thank me. This is my job, after all." Angela took out a business card and handed it to Priyanka. "I'm personally interested in your case, and if you need help, don't hesitate to contact me."
The moment the conversation ended, the mood naturally calmed, and everyone's gaze turned to Asha, who hadn't said a single word from beginning to end.
As if both were mesmerized by her work, they didn't say a word.
This behavior continued until the page was filled with drawings. And only then, for the first time, did Asha show a different reaction. She lifted her head and put down her pencil.
Seeing her calm behavior naturally brought a smile to her face.
For the first time, Angela felt like she could understand why so many people donated to online streamers willingly. Asha's drawings were good enough to make her want to pay to see them come to life.
And maybe that was the reason for her slip of the tongue.
"This notebook—could you show it to me?"
She asked in expectation, but the answer to this question was even more impressive.
Asha calmly turned the page and wrote with black crayon one big word.
[No.]
"Pft..."
At the same time, Angela could barely hold back her laughter.
She had seen most of her drawings, but the girl in fact seemed unaware of this.
Seeing the child trying to hide her notebook with her little body not only reinforced the previous eccentric image, but also added a layer of cuteness to her actions.
"I'm sorry, it's just that your drawings were so beautiful."
The child still hid her notebook without giving her a glance. Seeing herself openly ignored made her smile a little.
Almost instinctively, she wanted to tease this girl.
"I'm sorry, doctor. As I said, my daughter is a little shy."
Doctor Priyanka apologized on her behalf, but she wasn't worried about it. Instead, this only made her even more interested in interacting with the kid.
Still, she should show a little professionalism, so she accepted her apology.
"Don't worry about that, Mrs. Priyanka. I was a bit impulsive just now."
Angela looked at the little girl who had already hidden her drawings and put away her crayons. It was a shame she couldn't see more of them.
"Sorry, little Asha. I didn't mean to scare you. Do you like candies?"
[No.]
"Don't you like gum? How about a lollipop then?"
[Not interested.]
"What a shame, not even chocolate?"
After insisting for a while, the girl extended her hand and accepted her candy. But she didn't try to eat it or even look directly at it, showing a completely uninterested reaction.
"If you want more, I can give you some anytime."
Kids her age would normally show great interest, but Asha didn't show any reaction. Did she really not like candies, or was there another reason?
She needed to make some more experiments.
"I'm Dr. Bennett, but you can call me Angela~"
[Understood.]
Her words were as beautiful as her drawings. Even her calligraphy was beyond the standard. Unfortunately, like her expression, the girl didn't show interest in talking either.
"Would you mind talking alone with me?"
[Ok.]
Surprisingly, she quickly accepted her request. They had barely exchanged words, and based on what she said, the girl hadn't had a good first impression of her.
This showed she was aware of the procedure she was in and the necessity of her cooperation to finish it.
Looking at the worried expression of her mother, it was clear they hadn't talked about this beforehand. This was the girl's own decision based on her observations.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Priyanka. She's in good hands."
"I'll be right outside."
Priyanka left the room, leaving the two alone. Asha didn't show any discomfort; she only looked in her direction without any questions.
"Now it's just the two of us~"
When she tried to touch her head, the girl showed no reaction—at least not on her face or body.
However, her fingers trembled slightly. It was so subtle she might have missed it if she hadn't paid close attention.
With this simple action, Angela finally noticed a way to somehow understand the girl before her.
"So, little Asha. Can you answer some questions for me?"
[Yes.]
"You don't need to feel pressured. It's nothing difficult."
[Yes...]
"Are you feeling well? Would you like another chocolate?"
[No, it's fine.]
The more she asked, the more constant the movement of Asha's fingers became. She really didn't seem to like this situation or the small talk.
"Eh~? You really don't want any?"
But that only intensified her desire to tease her.
[Which question?]
'Ah, she caught me.'
Asha cut her words as if she had seen through her intentions. The fact she could understand her underlying meanings was really impressive.
She decided to conduct the conversation honestly.
"Let me see... What do you normally do? I'm dying of curiosity."
Most of her questions were simple ones to grasp her routine and feelings about it. A common pattern was that the girl insisted on short answers, even when the question needed a bit more context.
She was clearly trying to hide something.
"What is your favorite food?"
When she talked about food, a different pattern emerged. First she wrote apple, showing she liked sweet fruits. But perhaps noticing her own unusual behavior, she changed it to a citrus fruit.
That was interesting. Why did she refuse the idea of eating sweets? Was she shy because of her childlike tastes?
Or maybe there was something wrong. Angela took out a bittersweet candy and offered it to the girl.
"By the way, I have an orange-flavored candy."
After some insistence, she finally tried it. Angela watched her reaction carefully, but surprisingly, there wasn't any.
It was impossible to react so dully. Even she couldn't eat it without frowning.
"Is it sweet?"
[Yes.]
"Thank goodness. To be honest, that one was lemon-flavored. I'm glad you like lemons too."
[...]
"Most children spit them out without hesitation. You were the first to eat it so boldly~ You're so cool."
When she pointed out this abnormal behavior, her fingers moved again. It seemed she had touched a nerve.
At that moment, Angela was sure the girl was hiding more than just her past.
Perhaps her sense of taste was affected too, but she had never told anyone. Angela also suspected her pain tolerance was influenced by a lack of stimuli.
These symptoms weren't necessarily genetic but could occur after severe trauma. After enough pain, the body might naturally block some senses.
If her hypothesis was correct, Asha had endured not only physical torture but also mental. That would explain her sensory loss without a physical cause. Her psyche was indeed shaken, even though she retained her sanity.
[Doctor.]
"Yes~?"
[Is it over?]
"Eh~? I still want to talk with you. You're so pretty."
[I'm tired.]
"Already?"
Maybe noticing she had been exposed, the girl decided to end the conversation early. She was a smart kid.
And that was even more concerning. How could a child this smart suffer to this extent?
Angela continued to ask questions to reduce her alert and focus on her own thoughts.
She had been found in critical condition, and there was no image of how she arrived at the hospital. That meant she had somehow bypassed security cameras to get there.
Priyanka said their meeting was a miracle, but maybe it wasn't so simple.
There was a good chance the girl had orchestrated the whole thing. She must have known the doctor's habits to cross paths, and trusted her enough to risk it all.
But for someone so intelligent to take these risks, there were no better options. In short, her situation was so dangerous that risking her life was better than staying where she was.
'She was a runaway.'
Maybe she didn't reveal more of her past because doing so could endanger others.
There was a force behind her greater than public services could handle. These people were simply turning a blind eye because of her "amnesia".
She was a source of information, and if her knowledge became public, she'd be marked for death or recapture.
Angela wasn't entirely innocent, she knew well how such people silenced others. She needed to investigate more about this girl. If her theory was true, something big was happening behind the scenes.
Having reached a conclusion, she decided to end the conversation.
"Okay, this is the last one. I promise."
At her words, the girl answered her again.
[What?]
"Are you happy with your current family?"
[Yes, I like it.]
Her fingers calmed with those words. It didn't seem like a lie. Angela could only feel pity for the girl.
Her own childhood hadn't been simple either. She lied constantly and saw many things children shouldn't see.
But at least she was free. Unlike the girl before her, who had never properly experienced love.
She genuinely wanted to help her. It was the first time in a while she felt a real emotion toward someone.
However, feelings aside, she still wanted to tease the girl a little.
"Is that so...? It must be hard to act like a child with amnesia."
[What do you mean?]
She clenched her fists as if holding back her emotions. Was she feeling guilt?
It was really funny how her face remained composed despite clearly feeling trapped.
Looking at her was like seeing her younger self. Asha was smart, but still immature. She couldn't fool her eyes.
"Don't misunderstand, Miss Asha. There wasn't anything wrong with your answers. In fact, they were perfect," she said as if lecturing the child.
"The only problem is that they were so perfect, it's suspicious."
"You're not suffering from memory loss, are you?"
"And the fact that you understood our conversation means you're no ordinary child either."
At each of her words, the girl's fingers retracted. It was as if she saw everything she had built falling apart. Maybe she thought Angela would expose her?
Watching the girl's inner conflict, she deliberately slowed her words, building suspense.
"You are..."
Both of the girl's hands clenched tightly.
"A gifted child too, right?"
And subtly, they opened in relief.
Angela barely kept her laughter in. When she first saw the girl, she seemed unreadable. But now, she looked just like a cute kid.
"You don't need to hide it. There's no reason to play games between us."
Angela kept her act in front of the girl, quickly playing dumb.
[I don't know what you mean.]
At the same time, she saw Asha trying to deceive her using reverse psychology.
Was she anxious? How cute. She had never written more than three words before.
"As I said, you don't need to hide it from me."
"For a smart child like you to end up in such circumstances, I can't imagine how much you've been through."
[Do you think so?]
"I don't know why you're hiding it from your family. They seem quite supportive. But I bet you have your reasons. I'll keep your secret."
[Thank you...]
"At this point, there's no reason to continue this procedure. You can go meet your mother."
There was no reason for this child to keep struggling with so many complex thoughts. Those were her honest feelings.
She had teased the girl a little, but she was genuinely concerned about her. If possible, she wanted to help her.
She helped the child leave the room and quietly observed her reunite with her mother.
It was a peculiar sight, seeing the child go like that. It was a shame the consultation couldn't last longer.
Angela sighed at the thought and then turned her phone on.
She really wanted to help the child. Those weren't empty words.
"Uncle, there is something I want you to investigate."
Fortunately, her family managed a small "family business". They owed her a big favor, and it was time to use it.
The next day, a series of underworld conspiracies came to light.
The world had indeed become a little cleaner because of a momentary misunderstanding.
*
Author note
It took 3 days to write it. This have 4k words, almost 3 chapters into one. It took me a long time to write and edit. I couldn't be happier to see the end result.
This whole volume was extremely difficult to complete, I apologize to readers who were in hand throughout this period. Now that this is finally resolved let's go to volume 4!