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Entering the room, Ethan stood silently by the doorway, watching the two doctors examine Natalie. The
doctor began by checking her temperature and reported, “39.5 degrees.”
In the grip of a high fever, Natalie murmured incoherently, her words indiscernible. Ethan’s anxiety
grew, prompting him to ask, “How is she doing?”
The doctor replied honestly, advising. “Miss Natalie has a dangerously high temperature. She requires
an intravenous saline solution. After administering the injection, I will have a nurse stay with her. As
both of us are males, it would be inappropriate to remain in the room. Furthermore, her inability to
speak means she won’t be disturbed.*
Ethan understood the reasoning. He could see Natalie’s difort from his vantage point at the
doorway. Her brow furrowed in pain. Recognizing his limitations as a male attendant, he realized it
would be impractical for him to assist with tasks such as body care. If he attempted to do so, he could
riskpromising his well–being for the following day. “In that case, please make yourselves
leave.”
The doctor nodded in agreement, saying, “Very well, I will start the saline infusion. As he began the
procedure, he instructed the mute nurse, “You can stay in the room and attend to her. Wipe her arms
and forehead with a damp cloth to help lower her temperature and make her morefortable. Her
fever is quite high.”
The tall nurse listened attentively, nodding in understanding. Satisfied with the n, Ethan followed the
doctor out of the room and closed the door behind them. The room became tranquil, leaving Natalie in
the nurse’s care.
By closing the door, Ethan intended to ensure privacy, especially if there was a need to attend to
Natalie’s physical needs.
The woman on the bed asionally furrowed her brow and turned her head. Her murmured words
were indiscernible. Her cheeks, flushed with fever, had resembled a delicate blush, revealing her
difort. In response to her distress, the nurse entered the bathroom and filled a basin with warm
water. She dipped a towel into the soothing liquid and gently wiped the woman’s forehead. Her
movements had been delicate and cautious, as if she had handled a fragile treasure with utmost care.
Natalie’s body radiated intense heat. In her search forfort, she reached out her pristine arm. The
nurse delicately sped her tiny hand and offered aforting grip. Starting from the wrist, she
carefully wiped the arm, proceeding to the palm. Her gaze remained fixed on the woman lying on the
bed, unwavering in her care. After the gentle wiping, she tucked Natalie’s arm under the nket,
ensuring she was warmly wrapped.
After approximately half an hour, the saline solution began to take effect. The rosy flush on Natalie’s
cheeks gradually subsided, and the furrow between her brows rxed slightly. With her eyes closed,
she softly murmured words that were difficult to discern.
Drawing closer, the nurse reached out to arrange the stray strands of hair on Natalie’s face. She gently
smoothed the creased brow, soothingly whispering, “What do you need?”
Natalie found the voice peculiar yet strangely familiar in her fevered state. Although her mind was
clouded, she struggled to make out the person before her. With effort, she half–squinted her eyes and
repeated, “Water”
As the nurse prepared to fetch water from the kitchen, her gaze fell upon a hot water bottle on the
bedside table.
Quickly grabbing a cup, the nurse filled it with water and ced it on the bedside table. Sitting by the
edge of the bed, she carefully lifted Natalie’s upper body and cradled her against her own. With a
gentle touch, she tidied the stray strands of hair from Natalie’s forehead. She tenderly offered her the
cup of water using her free hand, ensuring each movement was soft and delicate. However, in
Natalie’s groggy state, she only drank half of it, spilling the rest onto the bed, leaving a damp patch.
The nurse grew slightly anxious. Slowly lowering Natalie back onto the bed, she reached for a tissue
and delicately wiped the corners of her lips. She then proceeded to dab away the damp spots on the
sheets. Once the tasks werepleted, her gaze returned to Natalie’s face, noticing her slightly dry
lips. Determined, she rose and opened the bedside drawer, searching for straw. To her disappointment,
none could be found. Briefly pausing, she fixated on Natalie’s parched lips before deciding.
She stood up and quietly locked the bedroom door. In the living room, Ethan immediately reacted to the
sound, preparing to enter the master bedroom. Theposed middle–aged doctor reassured him. “No
need to be rmed. We wouldn’t be able to leave this room if we had any intentions My apprentice is
simply assisting in physically cooling down Miss Natalie. Locking the door prevents an awkward
situation for all of us. Let’s remember, she is a woman, after all”
As the doctor’s words sank in, Ethan hesitated momentarily before settling back into his seat. Yet, his
gaze remained fixated on the door leading to the master bedroom
Inside the room, the nurse took a delicate sip from the water cup before settling on the edge of the bed
Leaning close, she pressed her chilled lips against Natalie’s fevered ones. With gentle determination,
she coaxed Natalie’s mouth open. recognizing the source of relief Natale responded, parting her lips
willingly as the cool water trickled in. Once Natalie had taken her fill, the nurse took a sip, then leaned
down again, sealing their lips together. The water flowed again, finding its way into Natalie’s thirsty
mouth. This cycle repeated five or six times until the drinking pace slowed, signifying a pause.
Carefully, the nurse retrieved a tissue and tenderly wiped away any lingering droplets from the corners
of Natalie’s lips. Her palm, broad andforting, gently caressed Natalie’s flushed cheek. A mix of
reluctance, apology, and remorse shone through her eyes.
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12:03
Finally, in a soft, remorseful voice, the whispered. “I’m sorry?
The following morning, Natalie stirred from her slumber. The sunlight peeked through the partially
drawn curtain a gentle glow across the room. Stretching her limbazily, she luxuriated in the
revitalistioad her body was a contested sigh, she murmured. “Hmm…”
Her constitution had always been strong and her body had a remarkable ability to recover. As she
raised her food, the noticed a faint mark on the back of her right hand–a needle prick Had the ben gym
an injection?
Sitting in bed, she adjusted the covers, trying to make sense of the events from the preozen nigh She
vaguely remembered calling Ethan when she had a fever, but the details seemned hazy. She recalled
gimpers of a marked oran tending to her. offering water and whispering apologies in fragmented
phrases. It all felt surreal, like fragments of a dream
But the voice of the female doctor
A peculiar thought emerged, only to be swiftly dismissed
A sense of unease washed over her. Was there something wrong with hertely? How could the
rearriain such thoughts
Once Natalie stretched and rose from the bed, she went to the wardrobe and selected adorable
dorms. Aber dresan she emerged from the room and inquired. “Lena, is Jasper will asleep
Lena observed Natalie’splexion closely and nodded in approval. “Didn’t want to disturb your rest,
so Jening took harni downstairs for a stroll. Why don’t you catch some more rest??
“Im feeling much better now, and I can’t sleep any longer! Besides, she wasn’t ne to indulge inzy
mornin
Lea began to voice her concerns. “Last night, thanks to Mr. White’s swift actions in calling the dorse
your tempen had wared to nearly 40 degrees. I was truly rmed when I heard about in Mr. White
stayed with you werd $20 AM. only allowing the doctors to leave once your fever subsided. They
endured the right at his insistence. The older doctor even stumbled a few times as he departed.”
Natalie had yet to realize the gravity of the situation. The faint image of the female doctor resurfaced in
her mind, leaving her with lingering questions. “Tera, two doctors camest night. Was there also a
woman among them?
Lena was an early river, with age reducing her need for sleep. She had already prepared we cral for
trade in ter was another doctor, a remarkably tall woman. Id say the must have been around 59 Som
tall. She was en taller than Mr White, and had a sturdy build. Mr. White thoughtfully arranged for a
N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.
female doctor to take care of you. They didn’t bother waking us two old folks. But Mr. White mentioned
that the worran doctor is mute, which as
Lena’s empathy for the mute nurse lingered in Natalie’s mind, but she was preupied with her
thought
Was the female doctor truly mute? But she distinctly heard an apology from herst night. Perhaps her
fever had clouded
her senses
Suddenly, Natalie realized that Lera wouldn’t confuse the genders, and Ethan was not one to fabricate
stores. If Lera sad a woman, then it must be so. She had let her imagination run wild, but such a un
ition would never ur with Erhan was simply the ramblings of a fevered mind.
Meanwhile, in Sherri’s room, she hard spent the entire night contemting her confesion Seated at the
dining table, she absentmindedly fed Ruby, stealing asional nces at Juara’s face to gauge her
reaction.
Sherri had mustered the courage to condes the previous night but ultimately decided against it.
he was bere
Juara noticed Sherri’s intense gaze and inquired. “What’s on your mand? You were fixated on your
father and now you’re staring at me If there’s something you want to uy, uy it. I won’t resort to volmre
Sherri straightened her posture, summoning every ounce of resolve as if faring her deepest fears
head–on Juana, I need to talk to you You promise me you won’tsh out at me, no matter what I
reveal”
Juara shot her a disapproving look and nonchntly peeled tomato for Ruby “I won’t mort to violence,
not even if you condess to the most heinous crimes. So, tell me, what’s the matter?
With Juana’s response. Sherri’s newfound courage instantly evaporated, leaving her feeling defined
Observing Sherri’s sad state, Juana softened her tone and gently probed, “Go ahead. I assure you I
won’ty a hand on you. Tell me what’s bothering you”
Sherri took a deep breath, closing her eyes briefly before mustering the courage to speak. “Raby is my
daughter“: cautusly eened her eyes anxiously waiting for her mother’s reaction
To her surprise, Juana remained ulent, leaving Sherri no choice but to repeat herself, her vower led
with determination. “I sad, Ruby is my daughter”
Juror’s patience wore thin as the responded with irritation. “I already know that You’ve always called
yourself her mother. Why bring it up now And why hasn’t Nataliee to pick up Kubry today”
Juana couldn’t help but feel puzzled by Natalie’s absence, as she usually took Ruby home at this
bevar
Sherri couldn’t believe Justia didest grasp the weight of her words. Imean, Robyn my biological
daughter, prout
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12.03
granddaughter. I gave birth to her,” she said with a surge of courage, raising her voice.
Sherri’s deration lingered in the air, enveloping the room in a tense and unsettling silence, Juana
stood frozen, her initial shock rendering her momentarily speechless.
Seconds ticked by, and Ruby sat peacefully, obliviously enjoying her meal of tomato Sherri anxiously
stared at her mother. their eyes locked in a tense gaze. Finally, Juana regained herposure and
demanded, “Repeat it.”
Sherri’s voice quivered, her gaze averted downward,cking the usual strength and conviction. “I… I’m
the one who gave birth to Ruby,”