When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2177

Zachary nodded lightly. "Grandpa's the same as ever."

After a few more polite exchanges, Zachary's attention slid to Felix.

"It's okay, Felix. Don't be scared. Come with me, and we'll let the doctor see where you feel uncomfortable, all right?"

Compared with Nathaniel's stern aura, Zachary's gentle smile felt almost like sunlight; Felix's shoulders loosened at once.

"My head hurts, Mr. Zachary. It hurts so much... I feel dizzy, too," he complained as he pointed to his head.

Miranda had rehearsed those lines with him in advance; now the little actor delivered them flawlessly.

"Is that so? Well, a headache can be serious business."

Zachary arranged his features into a grave expression, shoulders hunched as though the weight of a diagnosis already pressed on him.

"But there's nothing to worry about," he continued, voice low and earnest. "I've invited a brilliant old traditional medicine practitioner. The man can diagnose any illness or injury without any of those humming machines."

Miranda's spine loosened the moment she heard that, and her breath left her in a hush she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

A traditional medicine practitioner, huh? Even if his medical examination isn't to our favor, it will never convince the skeptics. Ha.

Soon, the Rainsworths trailed Zachary down a corridor that smelled faintly of disinfectant and sandalwood, fluorescent lights beating a nervous rhythm above their heads.

Zachary matched Felix's pace, leaning close. "Felix, when the doctor asks, you must answer honestly. No fibs, all right?"

Felix hammered out another resolute nod. "I know."

"Because if you lie, he might choose the wrong remedy, or give you an extra shot for nothing," Zachary added, eyes widening for extra effect.

Felix gave a quick, earnest nod, his dark lashes trembling as he looked up at the towering man beside him. "Mr. Zachary, I swear I'm not lying—every single word I said is true."

Zachary raised a gentle hand and brushed his palm across the little boy's soft hair, the gesture light but reassuring, as if he were smoothing out the child's unspoken fears one strand at a time.

"Good."

The next second, he bent until his face hovered just inches from Felix's, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper only the two of them could hear. "By the way, that old doctor has a terrible temper. Whatever he wants to do later, let him do it—no yelling, no fussing, all right?"

Oh no... If I lie the way Mom told me to, and that doctor finds out I'm faking, will he hurt me?

This old geezer looks so fierce and scary...

It's just a traditional medicine practitioner. There's no way he'll see through my child's little act.

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