chapter 35
Over an hour had passed since Reed finished Alaric’s physical assessment. He’d headed to the radiology department to collect Alaric’s imaging and neurological test results.
Cedrissa had remained silent, not uttering a word to Alaric, while Alaric, who’d been eager to start a conversation, had lost his nerve. His mouth had betrayed his heart, and the silence continued.
The door swung open, and Reed entered, a smile on his face, clutching a file tightly in his hands. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting…”
Cedrissa’s face lifted, and she glared backward. A smile spread across her face. “Reed…” she murmured.
Reed walked around the table, taking his seat and placing the file in front of him. “There’s a free test going on in the hospital today, so the queue was quite long.” He explained.
Cedrissa nodded, her eyes fixed on the file. “Okay,” she said softly, her mind still on the main point bothering her. “The test… how is it?”
Reed handed her the file, his expression professional. “This is the test result…” Cedrissa took the file, scanning it briefly before furrowing her brow in confusion. She glanced up at Reed. “What does it say?”
“It says he has peripheral neuropathy, not a spinal cord injury, as the previous doctor diagnosed.” Reed explained.
Cedrissa’s eyes widened in surprise. But before she could respond, Alaric shifted forward, his brows furrowed. “What does that mean?” He asked, his tone laced with confusion and surprise. “Does that mean Richard was lying?”
Reed hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “I can’t answer that question, sir. Maybe it was a mistake.” He opted for a more diplomatic response, not wanting didn’t want to fuel Alaric’s growing unease.
Alaric scoffed. “A mistake?” he repeated incredulously, his expression serious. “Who makes such a monumental mistake? They didn’t even come close to the same diagnosis, and you’re calling it a mistake?”
His eyes widened as he continued. “How am I supposed to believe you’re telling the truth?” He demanded.
Cedrissa’s soothing voice intervened. “Calm down, Alaric.”
Alaric’s expression instantly softened, relieved she was finally speaking to him. He let her continue, eager to hear more.
Cedrissa turned to Reed. “Can you explain further, please?” She asked, her voice laced with concern. “Given the difference in diagnosis, what are his chances?”
Reed’s tone was reassuring. “There’s always hope, ma’am. Even if he had suffered a spinal cord injury, there’s still a slim chance he could regain some function…”
Alaric interrupted, trying to sound nonchalant. “But my doctor said there’s no chance. He said there was no point trying.”
Reed paused, giving Alaric a moment to process his thoughts. When Alaric didn’t respond, he continued, his voice measured and professional.
“Now that it’s clear it’s peripheral neuropathy, I’ll prescribe anticonvulsants and pain relievers to help manage neuropathic pain,”
He glanced at Alaric and Cedrissa. “Do you have his current medications with you, so I can see what else to add?”
Alaric shook his head. “No.” He responded, but Cedrissa contradicted him.
“Yes.”
Alaric’s eyes widened in surprise as Cedrissa reached into the storage compartment at the back of his wheelchair and pulled out his medications.
“I brought them,” she said, handing the bag to Reed.
Alaric’s eyes were fixed on Cedrissa, unable to help staring at her, amazed.
Reed took out the vials, reading the labels and nodding in approval. “This is the best pain reliever and anticonvulsant any specialist would prescribe…”
He began to pack the vials into the bag, but the cover came loose, spilling the pills onto the table.
Cedrissa moved to help gather the pills, but Reed suddenly grabbed her hand, his eyes fixed intently on the pills.
“Hey—” Alaric intervened, but Reed released Cedrissa’s hand before he could finish.
“What’s wrong, Doctor?” Cedrissa asked, but Reed didn’t respond, his gaze still fixed on the pills.
Alaric’s curiosity got the better of him. “Is there something wrong with the medication?” He asked.
Reed picked up a pill and brought it to his nose, sniffing it. His eyes widened in surprise, and he sniffed it again, as if unable to believe his senses.
He put on his eyeglasses and opened the second vial, sniffing its contents. His gaze darted between Alaric and Cedrissa, his expression grave.
“The pills are the problem,” he replied to Cedrissa’s question, his eyes locked on hers.
He turned to Alaric, giving his response as well. “Yes, there’s something seriously wrong with the medicine. More than one thing is wrong with them.”
He grabbed his phone and opened the notes app. “Before I say anything, I need your doctor’s information. He’s a criminal, and I need to report this immediately,”
His voice was urgent. “I doubt the test result was a mistake. This isn’t a coincidence. These actions are intentional.”
Alaric’s eyes narrowed. “What actions?” He asked, but Reed’s expression remained stern, refusing to elaborate until he had the doctor’s information.
Alaric’s face darkened, and he slammed his fist on the table, making the remaining pills scatter and fall to the floor. “Stop being dramatic, Reed!” He growled, his voice rising. “You’re a man!”
Reed’s body jerked backward in fear, his eyes wide with alarm. He froze, unsure of how to react, while Cedrissa sat still, watching Alaric with a neutral expression.
For a moment, it seemed like Alaric had lost control. But as he caught Cedrissa’s gaze, he took a deep breath, his eyes half-closing. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice cooling. “Just tell me what’s wrong. If the doctor is guilty, I’ll take care of him. I hate dragging this out.”
Reed remained silent, still shaken. It wasn’t until Cedrissa spoke up that he found his voice.
“Please, tell us what’s wrong. He’ll take care of the doctor, as he said.”
Okay,” Reed said, his voice barely above a whisper. He gulped, his eyes darting toward Cedrissa while avoiding Alaric’s intense gaze. “The medicine he’s been taking is sedatives.”
“Sedatives?” Cedrissa repeated, her tone laced with surprise.
Reed nodded solemnly. “Yes. The medicine isn’t meant to cure his injury, but to exacerbate it. I think the doctor’s goal is to weaken his muscles so he’ll never walk again.”
Alaric and Cedrissa exchanged a shocked glance. Without a word, Alaric swiftly turned his wheelchair around and headed toward the door.
Cedrissa sprang into action, rushing after him. “Where are you going?” She asked, her voice urgent.
“To the hospital,” he replied, his tone firm and resolute. “To meet Richard.”
Cedrissa’s footsteps quickened as she tried to keep pace with him. “Do you think that’s the right thing to do right now?” She asked.
Alaric halted momentarily, his back still to her. “I’m not sure, but it’s all I can think of, and I’m doing it without delay.” He declared, his voice unwavering.
Cedrissa’s voice took on a cautionary tone. “And what if I say you shouldn’t?”
The room fell silent as Cedrissa’s question hung in the air for a moment. Then, without a response, Alaric continued forward, opening the door and disappearing into the corridor.
“Alaric!” Cedrissa shouted, sprinting after him.
As she reached the elevator, Alaric swiftly closed the doors, causing her to slip and fall.
“Ouch!” She groaned, wincing in pain.
Ignoring the discomfort, she scrambled to her feet and rushed into the next elevator, determined to catch up with him.
Cedrissa burst out of the elevator and sprinted across the lobby, her eyes fixed on Alaric and Easton as they prepared to leave. She waved frantically at Easton, trying to get his attention.
“Wait!” She shouted, but Easton ignored her, helping Alaric into the car before getting in on the other side.
As she reached the hospital entrance, the car sped off.
“Alaric!” She shouted, but they didn’t wait for her.
She chased after the car, her feet pounding the pavement, until it vanished from sight. Exhausted, she stopped, bent over, and panted heavily, her hands on her knees.
A taxi screeched to a halt in front of her, and the passenger got out. Without hesitation, Cedrissa pushed past the woman and leapt into the cab.
She pointed at Alaric’s car, her voice urgent. “Follow that car!”
The driver nodded and took off, driving cautiously.
Cedrissa’s desperation grew. “Faster, please…” she begged.
The driver hesitated, and Cedrissa anticipated his concern. “You’re carrying a Palmer,” she assured him. “You have nothing to worry about.”
The driver nodded and accelerated, speeding after Alaric’s car.
Cedrissa’s mind raced, and she whispered a silent plea, “don’t do this, Alaric… please…”