The Double ( or More ?) Life of The Fake Heiress

11.20

“There are many causes for neuralgia, but in James‘ case, it’s due to a trauma,” Mirabella said in a measured tone.

Wyatt scratched his head. “But he doesn’t have any visible injuries.”

James had been resting and recuperating, not having lifted a finger for any strenuous activity. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Latent complications,” Mirabella uttered succinctly. Then, she turned back to face James, pulling back the light blanket covering him. Her slender fingers pressed gently against several spots on his chest, “Do these areas hurt more?”

James grunted, not bothering with words or a nod, but his expression said it all. Mirabella. withdrew her hands.

Watching Mirabella pinpoint the source of the ailment with such precision, Nikolai couldn’t help but feel a pang of admiration. He had previously thought of her merely as an adept apothecary, well–versed in pharmacology, but now it was clear that her medical skills. were also formidable.

“Acupuncture would be the best treatment for James‘ condition, but when I tried it just now, it only intensified his pain. So I dared not continue with the needles, nor can I force him to take painkillers for fear of triggering some underlying chronic issue,” Nikolai said with a wry smile, his concern evident on his face.

Mirabella was silent for a moment, then looked at James and said simply, “Hang in there for a bit longer. I’ll be right back with something.”

James‘ lips were a bit too red from him biting them, but he managed a faint smile. Despite his pallor, there was a strangely attractive allure to his appearance. “Alright.”

With a subtle narrowing of her eyes, Mirabella turned and walked away.

Wyatt, witnessing this, felt the urge to follow her but eventually stayed put, his gaze returning to James. Seeing the smile still playing on James‘ lips, Wyatt felt a pang of discomfort. Despite the obvious discomfort, James was still putting on a brave face. Hopefully, Ms. Mirabella would return soon to ease some of the pain.

Back at her house, after greeting Zach, Leo, and Shawn in the living room, Mirabella prepared to head upstairs.

“Mira, is mom not coming home tonight?” Shawn asked, knowing his wife had taken their daughter out to dinner with friends.

Mirabella had just set foot on the stairs when she heard Shawn’s question and paused. She turned back to him, a puzzled look on her face. “Isn’t mom back already?”

Shawn blinked. “No, she isn’t.”

11:20

*Oh… She just dropped me off. Didn’t she come in?”

After a moment of thought, Shawn pulled out his phone. “I’ll give her a call and check.”

Mirabella nodded, not particularly worried, and without another word, she continued up the stairs. Once in her room, she retrieved a box containing silver needles from her chest, and soon, she was hurrying

back downstairs.

“Sis, heading out again?” Zach called out to her in surprise.

“Yeah, got something to take care of. I’ll be back soon,” she replied, nodding. Then she looked at Shawn and inquired, “Where did mom go?”

Thinking of his wife’s words over the phone, Shawn simply said, “She went to the supermarket.”

“Alright, then you guys should head to bed early. I’m heading out,” Mirabella didn’t further.

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Seeing this, Zach stood up. “What’s the rush? Where do you need to go? Want me to drive you?”

“No need. It’s just next door,” Mirabella declined with a wave of her hand. She quickly left the house, her steps brisk. Zach hadn’t even fully processed her departure when the sound of the front door closing echoed through the entryway.