Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 376

Sydney, despite her tender years, had grown accustomed to the piercing gazes of her patients. The scrutiny, once a source of unease, had faded into the background of her daily routine, becoming a mere whisper in her mind.

“Mr. Clifford, let’s begin with your pulse to get a clearer picture of your health,” she announced, her voice steady and professional.

Immediately, Matthew and Miranda encouraged her to take a seat, their concern evident as the maids scurried about, preparing warm beverages and light snacks, an effort to create a comforting atmosphere.

Sydney settled into the chair beside Jeremiah, bypassing the customary small talk that often accompanied such visits. Instead, she reached out, her fingers gently pressing against his wrist to check his pulse. The room fell into a hushed silence, every pair of eyes fixed on her, each person holding their breath in anticipation of her assessment.

When she finally withdrew her hand, Jeremiah broke the silence, his voice laced with curiosity, “So, what’s the verdict? How do I stand?”

With a calm demeanor, Sydney replied, “It’s treatable. A combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture should do the trick. However, I won’t be able to make home visits for the time being. You will need to come to the clinic regularly for your treatments.”

Home visits were a luxury she could seldom afford, reserved only for those she held dear. The Huttons had been an exception; not only were they Raymond’s family, but she also had a soft spot for Florence, whose warmth and kindness made the effort worthwhile.

Jeremiah’s expression remained bright, unfazed by the news. “That’s perfectly fine by me. As long as there’s a solution, I’m more than thankful.”

Matthew, however, looked at Sydney with a mixture of surprise and skepticism. “Are you serious? It’s really treatable? How confident are you in your assessment?”

He had heard Marcus sing her praises time and again, yet he couldn’t shake the doubt that lingered in his mind about a young doctor’s capabilities. Initially, he had planned to take Jeremiah to Alan, the seasoned physician, but Jeremiah had insisted on seeking treatment from one of Alan’s apprentices instead. Alan had grown older, and it felt inappropriate to burden him with a case that could be handled by someone else.

Sydney paused for a moment, weighing her words carefully. “I’d say about eighty percent.”

In truth, she was being deliberately cautious. Alan had instilled in her the importance of managing expectations when communicating with patients. Healing was a delicate dance that required as much cooperation from the patient as it did skill from the healer.

Miranda clapped her hands in delight, her face lighting up with enthusiasm. “No wonder Marc keeps insisting that your talents eclipse his! It’s clear that medicine is an art that requires innate skill.”

She shot a playful glance at her son, who seemed both proud and a bit taken aback.

With a gentle smile, Sydney wrote out a prescription, detailing the treatment plan. As she prepared to leave, she felt a sense of accomplishment wash over her.

Jeremiah stood as well, his demeanor warm. “It’s getting late. Allow me to see Dr. Wilson out.”

“Patience,” Julian replied coolly, his demeanor unflappable.

Long-term strategies required a steady hand.

Then, shifting the topic, he inquired, “And what about Haven?”

“Haven?” Elliot blinked, momentarily confused, before realizing Julian was referring to Sydney. Clearing his throat, he decided to stir the pot a bit.

“Nothing unusual, really. Just that it seems things between her and Caleb have grown a bit warmer. They’ve been sharing meals together often and visiting each other’s homes…” He smirked, adding a playful jab, “Honestly, Mr. Sterling, you might want to start considering a second wedding gift.”

Before he could elaborate further, Julian’s icy gaze shot up, his interest piqued. “They eat together?”

“Yes,” Elliot shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “Caleb’s been quite attentive lately. Don’t believe me? Just ask around.”