Chapter 9
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This didn’t respond. Instead, he l Vaxiry hulp him up. He brushed at the interruption anf Burnetts Maruly “De Jones, F just felt some pain and my leg moved slightly. Does that ran my nerves aren’t completely damaged?
Mandy pushed the memories back, her voice returning to its unul profecinnat one “Yes, it means your nerves are still alive. They’re just blocked by stagnant blood. I’ll need to do acupuncture daily to clear it. With time and physical therapy. you’ll be able to stand again
Tobias’s heart surged with hope, bin before he could say anything. Barry cut in, his eyes wide with excitement. “Dr. James, are you saying Nelson can really walk again?”
Mandy nodded. “I be follows my instructions closely, he’ll be able to stand.”
Barry clapped his hands together. “He’ll listen. He has to. If he doesn’t, I’ll make sure he does, even if it means… well, rit make sure he does
Mandy blinked, taken aback by Barry’s enthusiasm.
Right then. Tobias broke the silence. His voice was steady, but there was a hint of urgency. “Dr. Jones, what else do I need to do besides the acupuncture?”
Mandy replied, “Alright, the acupuncture is just the start. You’ll also need to take some meds, try some herbal baths, and do some rehab exercises. I’ll put together a detailed plan later today. Oh, and you’ll need to cut out smoking and drinking”
It was standard advice, but given Tobias’s recent struggles–his heartbreak and the way he’d been drowning his sorrows in alcohol–it felt a bit too pointed. Mandy could feel her cheeks burning, embarrassed that it seemed like she was bringing up his pain.
Tobias’s face was as expressionless as ever, but the room seemed to grow quieter, the tension in the air almost tangible.
Mandy tried to brush off the awkwardness, but before she could say anything, Barry chimed in, his voice filled with eagerness. “Don’t worry, Dr. Jones. I’ll keep an eye on him. I’ll make sure nothing like yesterday happens again.”
Mandy winced inwardly at Barry’s words, feeling the weight of his well–meaning but poorly timed comment. She turned to Yaxley. “Could you help Mr. Lancaster get back into position?”
But Barry was already stepping forward, his eagerness clear. “I’ve got this. I’ll help him,” he said, practically shouldering Yaxley aside.
Barry helped Tobias settle onto the bed, and Mandy took a quick glance at him. “Can you unbutton his shirt and roll up his pants to just above the knees?” she asked, her voice steady.
Barry’s movements were anything but gentle. He practically yanked at the buttons and tugged up the pants with more force than necessary.
Mandy forced a smile. She quickly sanitized her hands and the acupuncture needles, trying to focus on the task at hand. When she looked back at Tobias, her hand wavered, nearly dropping the needle.
There he was, shirtless with his pants rolled up, exposing toned muscles and a vulnerable yet intimidating presence. It was
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17:44 Sat, 8 Mar 00.
Chapter 9
like he was caught between being a potter and a warrior, and Mawly couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling that trifret within
her
Hey, I told you to untatton his shirt, not strip him. Mandy mapped. Rep annoyance clear.
Barry raised an eyebrow. “Ten’t this eader? he retorted, as if he had done nothing wrong.
Mandy was left speechless. When she arrived and didnt bed Barry, it felt a bit awkward. But now. Manly just glared at him, wishing he would disappear. She took a deep breath, resided herself, and began the acupuncture.
When Mandy got to work, she was all business. Any stray thoughts the had were gone in a flash
She had only tapped a few key points on Tobias earlier to see if his nerves were still alive. But the real treatment was a full- body routine–starting from his legs, moving up to his arms, and finishing with his head. It was a complete process
The session dragged on for nearly an hour, and by the end, Mandy was wiped out. Her shirt was soaked through at the back.
She gathered the needles and turned to Yaxley. “Help him get changed and let him rest. I need to grab a quick break, she said, her voice heavy with exhaustion.
Before Yaxley could even start giving directions to the bathroom, Mandy asked, “Where’s the restroom?” Yaxley was about to say, “Turn left when you go out and it’s at the end of the hall, but Tobias cut in.
“Down the hall, second door on the right,” Tobias said, his voice flat.
Mandy glanced in that direction, nodded, and headed off without another word.
As soon as Mandy disappeared into the restroom, Barry spoke up. “Nelson, you never let me use your private bathroom, but you let some woman you barely know use it. What gives? Planning something scandalous?”
Barry’s words hung in the air, and he quickly caught the cold, piercing look in Tobias’s eyes. “Just kidding, man. Don’t give me that look. It’s creepy,” Barry said, trying to lighten the mood.
Tobias’s voice was low and serious. “You can joke around, but don’t mess with a woman’s reputation. It’s not funny.”
Barry knew better than to push it. “Alright, alright. I got it. I’ll be more careful with my words,” he said, raising his hands in surrender.
Mandy slipped into the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. As she dried off with a paper towel, she glanced into the mirror and was hit with a wave of embarrassment, recalling the awkward moment that had just passed.
“What was I thinking?” she muttered under her breath. “How could I have mistaken Nelson for that guy? I must be losing it.”
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She thought, ‘It has to be the man’s build–tall and lean, just like Nelson’s- and the way Nelson moved that has confused me. It’s a simple case of mistaken identity‘
Only then did she notice the bathroom’s careful design. Everything had been adapted for someone with limited mobility.
The sink was lower than usual, and there was only one set of toiletries and a single dark blue towel, clearly meant for a man. There was no sign of any women’s products.
‘Does his wife even live here?‘ Mandy wondered. ‘Are they separated?‘ She was curious, but it wasn’t her place to ask. She tossed the paper towel into the trash, smoothed her hair, and reached for the doorknob.
As she opened the door, Barry’s voice cut through the silence. “I got the DNA samples from your wife’s place and the kid’s school. I sent them to three different labs. You’ll have the results by this time tomorrow.”
“What if the kid is yours? What are you gonna do?” he added, his tone casual but with a hint of something darker.
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