When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 2178

After what felt like an age measured in heartbeats instead of seconds, Albert's eyelids lifted. His gaze fixed on Felix with a chill, glacial intensity that made the boy shrink.

"Besides the headache, where else do you feel unwell?" Albert asked, his voice low as a winter river.

Felix hadn't yet found his voice; his lips parted, then closed again.

"Doctor, my son has been holding his stomach all morning," Miranda cut in, anxiety sharpening her tone. "He kept saying it hurts. It's only now easing a little."

Albert gave a small nod and flicked a glance toward the nurse.

The nurse, catching the doctor's silent cue, retrieved a first aid kit and set it down before him with practiced care.

"Lie down on the examination bed behind the curtain," he directed, pointing to the partition.

Unsure what awaited him, Felix obeyed and stretched out on the thin mattress.

The nurse drew the curtain shut, sealing Felix and Albert inside. Miranda and the others were told to stay where they were while the doctor stepped into the enclosed space.

Felix scanned the cramped cubicle, perplexed, as Albert stood beside him and opened the first aid kit.

The boy's eyes instantly widened—the box was packed with needles of every length and thickness, gleaming like a bed of silver thorns.

"I'm going to perform acupuncture on you," Albert announced.

Felix had seen the procedure on television; he knew it meant being pierced.

"I don't want that," he whispered, trembling.

"Your condition is serious, and acupuncture is necessary. Didn't you say your head hurts?" Albert pressed.

"I don't want to be stuck with needles!" Felix protested, shaking his head so hard his hair whipped his cheeks.

Albert exhaled through his nose and turned slightly toward the nurse. "Hold him still."

With that, the nurse pinned Felix's shoulders to the pillow with practiced efficiency.

From the array of silver, Albert selected a thick needle and moved toward the boy.

"Hey, kid, I'm about to insert the needle. You mustn't move an inch. Understood?"

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