When the old man stood there, completely overwhelmed, I could feel just how real his relief was. He had taken so many medications without ever getting better only piling up side effects. Now that he'd heard his condition could actually be cured, he looked like he wanted to run downstairs, sprint around the hospital, and shout to the whole world how good he felt.
After finishing his prescription, I turned to Hezze.
"Hezze, help me prepare the medications according to this."
She nodded, immediately heading toward the dispensing counter.
The old man held the medicine bag tightly against his chest, then looked at me as if I were some kind of miracle sent to save his life.
"Thank you, Dr. Bailey. When should I come back for a follow-up?"
I blinked.
"In one month."
He nodded rapidly again and again before leaving with a spring in his step.
The remaining patients stared, stunned. Just earlier, the old man had been pale and weak, constantly rubbing his temples, looking like someone worn down by chronic illness. Now his face was flushed with color, his stride energetic, he even looked healthier than many young people.
Was I really that good?
They exchanged glances, and their hesitation disappeared. They immediately lined up.
Seeing more and more patients coming in, Hezze practically glowed.
"Dr. Bailey, you're amazing."
I only glanced at her with a small smile.
By 5 PM, I finally finished with the last patient. I stretched until my joints popped, feeling nearly limp from exhaustion.
"I'm so tired. It feels like I've just come out of a fight."
My wrists were sore from using my diagnostic tools, my shoulders stiff, and fatigue washed over me.
Originally, there weren't supposed to be many patients. But once the earlier ones recovered and spread the word, one telling ten, ten telling a hundred suddenly the entire afternoon was packed.
Still, it made me happy to help them.
"It's your own fault for being too good," Hezze complained, equally exhausted. "And I only helped prepare meds. I'm dead tired."
I shot her a playful look.
"Just think of it as exercise. Helps you lose weight."
She walked over to me and noticed the dark paste I was blending.
"Rosy… what is that black stuff? It looks like some kind of scary ointment."
"Joint-pain relief cream," I said, packing it neatly. "I noticed Alley has been dealing with arthritis again. Since I'm already here, I made a bit for her."
"Hezze" frowned.
"Who's Alley?"
I took off my white coat and mask.
"She's the housekeeper at Captian's villa. Strict, but very kind to me."
"Oh," she nodded.
Then she perked up.
"My aunt has arthritis too. Could I get some for her?"
"Sure."
I divided the cream in half and handed her a portion.
Old people were always prone to aches and inflammation, if something I made could ease it, why wouldn't I share?
After an entire day of patients, the scent of disinfectant clung stubbornly to my clothes. The moment I slid into the back seat of the Rolls-Royce, Hoàng Sâm sniffed the air and raised a brow.
"Our little Dr. Bailey has returned."
I shot him a flat look.
Ronan flicked his cigarette out the window and groaned:
"Chị dâu, my lower back has been killing me lately. Can you check if something's wrong with me?"
Only then did I turn to him. His complexion really did look worse than usual tired, dull, lacking energy.
I lifted a brow.
"Give me your hand."
He obediently stretched it forward. The moment my fingers brushed over his pulse and pressure points, his entire body stiffened.
Her hand is soft.
That thought was clearly written all over his face.
Then his expression twisted in fear:
If Captian knew this, Ronan would lose his hand.
He swallowed.
"Sis-sister-in-law… it's not something serious, right?"
"What are you trembling for? Of course it's not something serious."
I rolled my eyes at him. "You're just dealing with mild kidney strain from overindulgence."
His eyes widened.
Overindulgence.
In that sense.
I added calmly:
"If you want, I can prescribe something to boost your kidney function."
He froze.
"T-that's real? I'm really…?"
I stared at him like he was an idiot.
"Yes. What would I gain from lying? Maybe control yourself a bit, unless you want to regret it when you're older."
His entire body stiffened.
"…Understood."
I wrote down a prescription and tossed it to him.
"Here. Take it for a month."
"…Okay."
He clutched the paper like it might explode.
Back at the villa, I found Alley cleaning the living room. I walked over with a smile.
"Alley, I noticed your joints seem to be acting up again. I made this for you apply it whenever the pain flares up." She froze.
"Ma'am… you bought this for me?"
"I made it," I corrected. "It's gentle and helps soothe inflammation. Don't worry."
Her eyes softened.
"You're remarkable, ma'am."
My cheeks warmed.
"It's nothing. If it works well, I'll make more."
She cradled the pouch carefully, delighted. I'd clearly earned more goodwill from her without meaning to.
With my little cloth bag slung over my shoulder, I headed upstairs. Passing Captian's room, I noticed it was pitch-black and cold. He wasn't home. Probably staying at the company again. That man was practically welded to his work.
I shrugged, entered my room, showered away the hospital smell, and curled up under the blankets.
Half asleep, I suddenly felt cold.
No matter how tightly I wrapped myself, a strange chill kept pressing against my skin like a draft sneaking into the room.
Frowning, I forced my heavy eyes open.
And froze.
A figure stood at the foot of my bed.
The moonlight stretched his shadow across the floor long, eerie, unnatural. My breath caught in my throat.
Someone was in my room.
I slowly turned my head, too scared to move too fast and met a pair of deep, glacial eyes staring directly at me. Under the moonlight, they reflected an uncanny glow. The room was too dark to see his face clearly, only those eyes, cold and terrifying.
Panic squeezed my lungs.
A person.
In my room.
At night.
I yanked the blanket over myself, curling tightly underneath it, trembling like a terrified rabbit.