"..." Edward Stephens remained silent, his deep eyes inscrutably watching him.
Nicholas Woods maintained a friendly smile, but cold sweat broke out on his neck under that gaze.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat lightly, struggling to regain his voice, "Mr. Stephens, this is just a routine question we doctors ask. If you don’t wish to answer, then..."
Nicholas almost bit his own tongue.
His monolid eyes behind the glasses lit up with a strange light, staring at Edward Stephens for a long time, until the man’s expressionless gaze fell on his face. He then instinctively withdrew his gaze, awkwardly took off his glasses and wiped them: "... If I remember correctly, you’ve been married to Miss Ginger for half a year, right?"
"..." The most update n0vels are published on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝔫𝔢𝔱
"In the face of such a beauty as Miss Ginger... could it be that Mr. Stephens has some unspeakable secret?"
Edward Stephens: "Is this the usual question you psychologists ask?"
Nicholas was taken aback, awkwardly withdrawing his gaze. He looked at the thick rain curtain outside the eaves and said, "A marital relationship requires mutual effort from both parties. Platonic interaction alone might not give Miss Ginger any sense of security. Does Mr. Stephens feel that maintaining such a relationship with Miss Ginger is enough?"
"Are you also working for the neighborhood committee now?"
That was a subtle reminder for him to mind his own business.
Nicholas smiled wryly: "Miss Ginger is an old friend of mine. Naturally, I hope her marriage is happy and fulfilling."
Edward Stephens said indifferently: "You’re getting too involved."
Nicholas turned his head and looked at the young man’s sharp and graceful profile beside him. He was gazing into the distance with a calm expression; his dark eyes revealed no trace of emotion.
Nicholas withdrew his gaze and sighed softly in his heart.
"Miss Ginger’s emotions are stable now, so she can indeed stop the medication for a while. But I’m afraid this treatment period only addresses the symptoms, not the root cause. Her heart’s knot is with you, and what I can do for her is limited to that extent. I’m just a psychologist, not a prescription for her."
"If Mr. Stephens truly wants Miss Ginger to be completely cured, there must be some change in your relationship moving forward."
Edward Stephens understood the underlying meaning in his words. He furrowed his brow slightly and replied in a low tone, "Got it."
Nicholas was perceptive enough to know that Edward Stephens was a smart man and did not need further hints. He nodded, gave Edward a quick farewell, and left hastily for his office.
Once Nicholas left, the corridor instantly fell silent.
The air was filled with a faint mist and the chilly moisture of winter lingered in each breath. Edward Stephens leaned against the railing, not caring about the water droplets splashing and wetting his clothes, and closed his eyes to rest his mind.
He lit another cigarette until the consulting room door opened again, and Daisy Ginger peeked out from inside in her thin trench coat.
"Edward." Upon seeing him, she called out in a hoarse voice and then gave a faint smile, "Nicholas said I can stop the medication now."
Edward Stephens looked up to see that her eyes were slightly red, and her once meticulously applied makeup had faded a bit, likely from crying and then washing her face inside.
This woman, delicate and fragile like a fine porcelain...
Edward Stephens walked over, reached out, took Daisy Ginger’s cold hand, and led her toward the door.