Chapter 224
Carter had sensed it all along-that undercurrent of hostility from Uriah. At the time, he’d brushed it off, assuming the old man was just eccentric.
But now, seeing Sharon here, everything made sense.
Nate stared for a moment, then snapped his fingers as realization struck. “Ah! I get it now. You cranky old man-you were deliberately picking a fight yesterday!”
“Picking a fight?” Uriah’s face turned cold. He let out a heavy, disdainful snort. “People like you-swaggering around with your attitude–you think my clinic welcomes that? You come here wanting treatment, and can’t even humble yourselves. I say a few words, and you accuse me of picking a fight? What you heard yesterday was nothing. Back when Sharon came here to ask for medicine for her mother-in-law, I said even worse things!”
Then he turned to Carter, eyes sharp. “And you… why the hell would I know who you are? In those two years she came begging for medicine for your mother, did you ever show your face? Not once! And now you expect me to recognize you? Who do you think you are some stray dog the whole world needs to remember? Utter nonsense.”
The more he spoke, the angrier he seemed to get.
“You run around for some other woman, bending over backward trying to find her medicine, but when it comes to your own wife? All you have for her is blame and accusations. Seems to me your mother’s not even as important as that woman.”
His eyes turned on Carter, full of scorn and contempt.
“You’ve got a short memory, don’t you? Already forgotten how long it’s been since your stomach issues or insomnia last acted up? If it weren’t for Sharon, you think you’d still be standing around here, leisurely playing doctor for someone else? Please. You’d be curled up on the floor in pain by now.
“Out! Out! I don’t welcome heartless bastards like you in my clinic. If I’d known back then that you were Sharon’s husband, I would’ve kicked you all out the door yesterday!”
Both Theo and Carter’s health had improved thanks to Sharon’s care. Over the past two years, she had learned a lot from Uriah— practical knowledge, useful skills. And now, after everything that had been said, it was clear to all three of them: they had misunderstood.
Nate hurried to smooth things over. “Please, you promised us yesterday—you said you’d treat Kelly. You can’t go back on your word now. A healer should have the heart of a parent. If she dies because you refused to help, that’s no different than murder.”
But the old man had lived a long time. He wasn’t the type to be guilt-tripped.
“Sure,” he said dryly. “Call the police. Go ahead and have me arrested.”
Nate opened his mouth to say more, but Carter held him back.
He looked at the still-fuming old man. “Mr. Malcolm… what would it take for you to agree to treat Kelly?”
He still had his doubts about the man’s medical skills, but the truth was, they didn’t have any better options right now. It was worth a try.
Besides, over the years, his mother’s headaches had become less frequent after taking Uriah’s prescriptions. And both he and Theo had noticeably improved in health as well.
This old man might just be the real deal.
Uriah’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “I don’t enjoy turning people away, especially not those with terminal illness. If you want me to treat her… then she’ll have to do what Sharon did back then-stay here and help out around the place.
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“Given her condition, I’ll make a concession. One week. If she can stick it out for one week, I’ll treat her.”
Nate immediately objected. “No way. Kelly’s seriously ill. She can’t be running around doing chores. If it’s help you want, I’ll pay someone-ten people, if that’s what it takes.”
Uriah gave him a withering look. “You think what I lack is people? Or money? What I’m looking for is sincerity.”
Nate faltered, breath catching in his throat. “Then I’ll stay. I’ll do it in her place.”
Uriah raised his chin defiantly. “There’s no such thing as a substitute here. If someone wants to be healed, they stay. If you decide to stay and help out, I’ll assume it’s your hidden illness you’re asking me to cure.”
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