Chapter 76
Nydia wholeheartedly agreed and carried Norman as they left.
As soon as they got into the car, Norman started complaining about a stomach ache. Naturally, she couldn’t just head back to her place. Instead, she anxiously began massaging his stomach.
“How does that feel now?” she asked softly.
Earlier, she had diagnosed him with bloating and used her unique massage technique to ease his discomfort. Now, Norman’s cheeks were already much rosier, and he now lay comfortably against her, nearly asleep.
Without responding, he eventually drifted off to dreamland, leaving the car in complete silence.
Eddie opened the drawer beside him, pulling out a small tube of ointment, which he handed to
her.
Nydia froze for a moment before flipping down the mirror in front of her. That was when she noticed the bruise on her face.
No wonder Norman had burst into tears at the sight of her earlier–she looked terrible. She glanced at the ointment’s ingredients and saw it was designed for bruises and swelling.
Without hesitation, she dabbed a little onto her fingers and applied it gently to the bruise while watching herself in the mirror.
It was cool and soothing, offering a small reprieve.
After applying the ointment, she returned it to Eddie and leaned back into her seat.
Her thoughts swirled into chaos as she replayed the events of the day. Her mood grew heavier. After all, the man she had once held so dearly, a man she had placed on a pedestal, had revealed his true nature to be so despicable.
Six years of dedication had unraveled into nothing but a cruel joke. In the end, it seemed she had only ever moved herself.
The bitterness in her heart grew heavier, tangled, and unrelenting, refusing to be soothed.
“Brigham was on the brink of death, and you were the only one who pinpointed the real issue, the one who saved his life. He’s been wanting to come back and thank you in person,” Eddie suddenly said.
Nydia snapped out of her thoughts, her tone serious as she replied, “It’s my duty as a doctor. I’m happy when I can save someone’s life. Knowing he’s recovering well puts me at ease. As for gratitude, there’s no need. Otherwise, it feels like I saved him just to hear the word ‘thanks
Eddie turned his gaze to the window.
The scenery outside flew past, retreating so quickly it was impossible to hold onto anything.
“So, you’re quite insightful,” he commented calmly.
“I just never learned to separate feelings from work. Some things, like a failed surgery, are simply unavoidable,” Nydia replied.
“If you’ve done everything you could, then you can accept the outcome,” he remarked.
Nydia’s eyes welled up with tears at his words.
Mick was like a surgery that she was sure would have a 100% success–only for it to fail spectacularly.
There had been hidden complications and undisclosed medical history. No matter how precise the procedure, failure would be inevitable.
She took a deep breath, the subtle scent of wood in the car easing her mind a little. “Thank you, Mr. Houle. I feel much better now.”
Eddie glanced at the child sleeping peacefully on her lap before his gaze settled on her delicate. profile. “If you’re Norman’s savior, there’s no need to call me Mr. Houle. Otherwise, we’re not as equal as you claim.”
“I said that because-”
“It doesn’t matter,” he interrupted, waving her off. “I always follow through on my word. No need to worry about it.”
Nydia hesitated. “Then, what should I call you? Ed? No, wait, maybe Eddy? But wouldn’t that make me seem a bit shameless? It’s like I’m deliberately trying to get close to you.”
Eddie didn’t reply.
Feeling even more conflicted, Nydia added, “Calling you something that lowers your status wouldn’t work either.”
That wouldn’t feel like an equal situation.
“How about I follow Mr. Roffe’s lead and call you… just Eddie?”
His fingers trembled slightly at her words.
Chap 27
