Jessica shook her head and signed, "Don't tell anyone for now."

Herbert had said he could fix her voice, but she had no intention of spreading the news before she'd actually recovered.

That just wasn't her style.

If something went wrong and she didn't get better, she'd be the one left embarrassed.

"I'm guessing you don't want anyone else to know, either. Let me change your bandage and take off the gauze, so you won't have to fumble for answers if anyone gets nosy."

While Herbert went to get the medical kit, Jessica checked her phone. She had missed calls from Vince, and one from Ines.

Ines had sent a message, too, asking after her.

Jessica replied right away.

[Don't worry about me, Professor. I've arrived at Aetherion and everything is fine.]

She'd always been the type to share good news and keep troubles to herself.

The whole divorce ordeal-how could she possibly explain that in a few lines of text?

She would wait until she was back home for the court proceedings, then meet with her mentor in person and tell her everything. No need to make her worry now.

Ines replied quickly.

you're safe, I can relax. Communicate well with Mr. Smith while you're abroad I look forward to seeing your

back a

best. I won't

back in,

asked Jessica to turn sideways on the chair so he

and fresh gloves, then carefully unwound the gauze that circled her head a couple

her long hair to

had only asked his surgical assistant to shave a small patch

dipped a cotton swab in iodine and gently

low voice, he asked,

lifted her hand, her thumb and forefinger pinching together in a tiny motion-just a

his mask, his motions even gentler as he cleaned the wound, trying not to cause

meticulous care made Jessica tense

another man

she quickly reminded herself-Herbert was her doctor.

it.

other patient, he'd be just as

gauze, covering only the incision, and let her hair fall back into place. You'd hardly know

as she sat

solid, since her throat still wasn't fully

signed, "Herbert, thank you so much. I don't know what I'd do without you -it would

When you were a kid, you took care of me

the food container and handed it

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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