<b>Chapter </b><b>35 </b>


    Elissa sat at her desk, feeling the weight of pressure settle over her. Every prescription she wrote had to be checked by Aaron first.


    Today’s patient hade in on a friend’s rmendation and joked as she handed over the paperwork, “Dr. Drummond, with this much attention, you’re making me wonder if I’m sicker than I thought.”


    Everyone who frequented the clinic knew Aaron was both her and Cliff’s mentor.


    Aaron just chuckled, “Don’t worry, she specializes in the tough cases. Yours is a walk in the park for her. It’s just that in front of me, she still thinks of herself as a kid.”


    He nced over the prescription, then handed it back to Elissa.


    All these years, Elissa remained the most gifted practitioner of traditional medicine he’d ever met. If it weren’t for Mrs. Murphy’s constant interference, his protégé would have achieved a hundred times more by now. She probably wouldn’t even hesitate to put her name on a research paper.


    “Your approach is right, and the dosage is spot on. One round of this, and you’ll see results,” he said.


    The patient’s colonoscopy had revealed severe colitis. She’d tried every medication in the book, but her symptoms kepting back, which was why she’d ended up in Elissa’s office.


    After checking her pulse, Elissa had determined the root cause was anxiety, not just the physical inmmation. So she’d decided to treat the underlying stress rather than just the symptoms.


    The patient had onlye in hoping for a new angle, but after hearing Aaron’s


    reassurance, she immediately rxed and grinned, “Dr. Elissa, next time Ie, I’ll have to bring you a thank–you banner!”


    Elissa waved her off,ughing. “I’d much rather you not need toe back at all. Just remember to take care of yourself and keep your spirits up–nothing’s more important than your health.”


    With the medicine she’d prescribed, seven doses should do the trick, though as a doctor, Elissa would never promise outright cures.


    Once she finished with herst patient, Aaron stood up and stretched. “Let’s go. My wife’s expecting us for dinner.”


    “Looks like Cliff and I are in for a treat again,” Elissa replied.


    14:48


    Jacqueline was a wonderful cook and always thoughtful. Whenever she knew Elissa wasing, she’d prepare all her favorite dishes.


    Cliff was waiting outside with the car. Aaron only came to the clinic once a month, so Cliff seized the opportunity and spent the whole drive peppering him with questions about tricky cases.


    After a while, Aaron shot him a look. “Elissa never pumps me for information like you do,”


    he teased.


    Cliff just grinned at Elissa in the rearview mirror. “Elissa studied with you for so many years, I should really be calling her my senior.”


    That was true enough. Aaron had been Cliff’s professor at university, but Elissa had grown up learning medicine at his side. He’d always had a soft spot for her, even dying his retirement until she got into Vistapeak University and graduated. After that, no amount of pleading from the university or the education board could lure him back.


    Truth be told, Elissa was Aaron’s only true apprentice.


    The idea of her boss calling her “senior” made Elissaugh. “If you dared, I wouldn’t even know how to answer.”


    Their banter filled the car as they pulled up to Aaron’s house–a quiet retreat tucked away in a lively neighborhood, with plenty of space between the old cottages and sunlight spilling through the windows.


    As the car engine hummed to a stop, Jacqueline stepped out to greet them, feigning exasperation. “Elissa, Cliff, it’s been ages since the two of you visited!”


    She looked radiantly healthy, not a day over fifty, thanks to her devotion to wellness.


    Cliff, ever the gentleman, had brought gifts for their hosts. Elissa helped him carry the packages and grinned at Jacqueline, “I’ll being by more often from now on, if you don’t mind.”


    Now that she was no longer Mrs. Frank, her days were finally her own.


    “Oh, I’d love that,” Jacqueline replied warmly.


    Jacqueline had only one son, but she’d always treated Elissa–who’d grown up at her husband’s side–like a daughter.


    Aaron ushered everyone inside, but Jacqueline paused at the door, as if remembering something. “Oh, by the way, we have a visitor.”


    Her gaze lingered on Elissa, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.


    “Who is it?” Aaron asked.


    14:48


    At his level, guests always called ahead at least a week in advance. Judging by Jacqueline’s look, it wasn’t a rtive!


    Whoever this was hadn’t called first, wasn’t family, and yet had the nerve to stroll right in.


    Aaron stepped into the entryway, curiosity piqued, just as Jacqueline added, “It’s that young man from the Murphy family. Sounds like he wants to discuss a research project with you.”