“Here! This child.” Sophia quickly handed the boy to the paramedics.
After examining him and checking the vomit, they turned to her.
“You have medical training?”
Sophia nodded. “I used to be a pediatrician.”
“Makes sense. Your quick thinking bought us time. Without it, this kid might not have made it.”
After saying that, they immediately loaded the boy into the ambulance and sped away.
Once they were gone, Sophia headed home.
Dad had slipped back into confusion. Seeing her return, he ran out like an excited child and said loudly:
“Sophia was naughty today–she skipped school!”
Sophia shook her head. “I didn’t skip. We got out early today.”
She took his hand and sat him down, then she set up her table outside.
After months here, everyone knew her routine. Table outside meant she was seeing patients.
Soon a line formed–mostly elderly residents and kids.
Margaret got Dad settled inside, then helped manage the queue with numbered tickets.
Life here was so much calmer than the city.
After her last patient, Sophia was cleaning up when Lucas showed up.
His face was flushed red, but his lips were ghostly pale.
Sophia frowned. “Did you take a cold shower?”
Lucas’s heart skipped–busted already. “Sophia, my head’s killing me. I think I have a fever
“You brought this on yourself Sophia’s voice cold
Lucas used to get “sick like this constantly. She hadn’t understood back then, but the year they broke up, she’d found his phone notes–cold showers whenever he felt ignored, knowing she’d drop everything to nurse hin
Seeing his flushed face now, she knew he was playing the same game.
Chapter 25
Lucas leaned against the table, watching her through glassy eyes.
“You gonna take care of me?” His voice was hoarse, making her heart race despite herself.
For a moment, it made Sophia felt like five years ago.
After a while, she said: “Get inside.”
Her tone was ice–cold, but Lucas heard angels singing.
Everyone else got treated outside. Being invited in had to mean something, right?!
Inside, Sophia handed Lucas a thermometer: “Under your arm. Seven minutes.”
Lucas asked weakly, “You used to help me with it…”
“That was then. This is now.” After saying that, Sophia walked to the back room without looking at him.
Lucas watched her go, then quietly positioned the thermometer.
When seven minutes passed, Sophia returned. “Let me see it.”
But Lucas didn’t move. He just stared at her silently.
Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, she tried again:
“Give me the thermometer. If you don’t want treatment, then leave.”
Only then did he pull it out and extend it toward her.
But when Sophia reached for it, Lucas held on tight.
“Lucas, let it go.”
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