Chapter 221 

The first electrode touched Brandon’s leg. He flinched hard, his breath catching. 

This…feels weird as hell,” he choked out, voice unsteady. 

Irene stood beside the bed, professional mode fully engaged. “The more you tense up, the worse it gets.” 

*Right, relax during torture. Got it,” Brandon muttered, squeezing his eyes shut. 

By the third electrode, he was gripping the sheets, knuckles white, sweat beading his forehead. When the fifth electrode touched his skin, his composure shattered completely. 

“MAKE IT STOP!” Brandon howled, loud enough to echo through the house. 

Three little heads poked around the doorframe, watching with fascination. 

“You can do it, Uncle Brandon! the triplets cheered in unison. 

Lucas whispered to Alex, “He’s being so dramatic.” 

“It actually hurts a lot,” Alex replied solemnly. 

Now comes the waiting game,” Irene said, adjusting settings. “Forty minutes. Don’t move or we start over.” 

In the living room, Adam and Joseph hunched over a chess board, the old man frowning at his opponent’s latest move. Both looked up when Irene walked in. 

*Based on those screams, I’m guessing Brandon survived–barely, Adam said, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. 

Irene rolled her shoulder blades, working out the tension. “Such a baby. You’d think I was torturing him instead of helping him walk again.” 

Joseph snorted, moving his knight. “That boy once cried over a paper cut. A paper cut!” 

“He’s got the pain tolerance of a toddler,” Adam agreed, his gaze lingering on Irene longer than necessary. “Not everyone handles discomfort the same way.” 

“Some patients need hand–holding, others need tough love,” she said, leaning against the doorframe. “Basic medicine they don’t teach in textbooks.” 

“Like those sleeping pills you slipped Wesley?” Adam asked quietly. 

Surprise flickered across her face. She hadn’t realized he’d caught that. 

“Sometimes people need help before they know how to ask for it,” she said softly. 

Adam nodded, understanding in his eyes. Something passed between them–a moment that needed no words. 

Joseph cleared his threat pointedly. 

Irene checked her watch. “Time to finish up with Brandon. Catch you later for your session?” 

“Ill be waiting,” Adam replied, something warm beneath his casual tone. 

1/2 

Chapter 221 

When she returned to the guest room, Brandon was sound asleep. He jolted awake as she removed the first electrode 

“We done?‘ he mumbled, blinking rapidly. 

“Almost,” she said. “Just the medicinal rub after this, then you’re free till tomorrow.” 

“Hey, it doesn’t hurt as much now,” he noted with surprise as she continued working. 

“That’s the point,” she said, applying ointment to his leg. “Good sign 

“Thanks,” he said quietly. “Better than I expected.” 

Later, Brandon hobbled to the couch with Joseph hovering nearby like a protective shadow. He spotted Irene crossing the garden toward Adam’s place, her figure dark against the evening light. 

“So what’s actually going on with those two?” he asked, nodding toward the window. 

Joseph settled into his chair. “What do you mean?” 

“Come on, I’m injured, not blind. There’s something brewing there. Haven looks at her like… Brandon trailed off, searching for words. “Like she’s the first sunrise after a month of darkness.” 

“You’re more observant than you let on,” Joseph said, eyebrows rising slightly. 

“And her? She doesn’t exactly run away when he’s around. And the kids are practically his fan club. 

A sharp flick to his forehead cut off his amateur matchmaking. 

“Ouch!” Brandon yelped, rubbing the spot. “What was that for?” 

“Mind your business,” Joseph grumbled. “Twenty–eight years old and still single, yet here you are playing Cupid.” 

“I’m just saying-” 

“She deserves someone who sees her–really sees her,” Joseph said, his voice softening. “After everything she’s been through.”