Leo withdrew his gaze, took a deep breath, tilted his head back, and downed the contents of the ss bottle. He braced himself for a bitter, nasty taste, but surprisingly, the remedy was


    virtually vorless. After he finished, he grabbed a nearby ss of water, took a few sips, and set it down.


    Mirabe watched him until he was done, then visibly rxed. She nced at her watch, stood up, and said sweetly. “I’m off to school now.” Her demeanor was a stark contrast to the solemn expression she had while watching Leo take his medicine.


    Shortly after, the sound of the door closing echoed. Leo’s gaze followed her departure, and they couldn’t help but sigh, “Zach, do you ever notice how kinda intimidating our sister gets when she’s serious?”


    Zach nced up, unimpressed, “Hadn’t noticed.” Even if he had, that wasn’t something he was about to admit. What, and risk his pride?


    Just then, Leo straightened his back and rubbed the spot where he had been injured. The area was oddly warm, causing a slight shift in his expression.


    Zach, catching the change in Leo’s demeanor, straightened up and asked, “What’s up?”


    Leo tilted his head, pressing on his spine, no longer feeling the usual stabbing pain when applying pressure. “Weird, after taking that stuff Mirabe gave me, my injury feels kind of


    warm.”


    Considering Leo’s words, Zach recalled the remedy Mirabe had given him in the past. After taking it, his chronic ailments hadn’t bothered him since, and even his spirits had lifted significantly. With that thought, Zach said earnestly. “You should get checked at the hospital again.” Pausing, he added, “Mirabe wouldn’t give you medicine for no reason.”


    Leo’s gaze dropped, his fingers curling slightly. Since returning from Nick’s, he had been trying not to dwell on his condition. He might have appeared nonchnt, but only he knew the thoughts that haunted him each night in bed, feeling no different from being crippled.


    A few days ago, Collins had suggested that Leo check out some alternative medicine. However, Leo refused, even though Collins told him Mirabe’s medicine was precious. He just instinctively resisted the idea of more treatments.


    Disappointment had be too familiar, and hope was something Leo rarely allowed himself to feel. But now, with his body’s genuine response, the eptance of his grim reality wavered.


    Maybe, just maybe, it was worth another shot.


    Pushing aside his thoughts, Leo nodded at Zach. “Yeah, I’ll go today.”


    Relieved that Leo wasn’t being as stubborn as usual, Zach suggested, “How about Ie with you?”


    “No need, Zach. I’ll have Collins join me. He knows a well–respected alternative healer,” Leo


    10:45


    replied.


    “Alright then, but call me if anythinges up,” Zach said, not insisting further<b>. </b>


    “Will do.” Leo acknowledged, then pocketed the ss bottle that sat on the table.


    When Collins received a call from Leo, asking to schedule a medical appointment, he was taken aback. It wasn’t like Leo to seek help proactively. So, Collins quickly rang up Niki, the healer they had met at the hospital, and set up a time to meet.


    In the afternoon, Collins and Leo arrived at Niki’s alternative medicine clinic, hopeful for


    what was toe.