A Marriage Without Touch, A Goodbye Without Tears (Amelia and Ethan) novel Chapter 381

Chapter 381 The Weight of Hope

Finished

Zach skipped any unnecessary pleasantries. His gaze settled directly on Evan. After a few brief questions about his condition, he said, “Hold out your hand. Let me take a look.”

Mason guided Evan over to the table. Evan followed his instruction, resting his wrist on the padded pulse rest at the edge.

The old courtyard fell silent at once.

Only the rustle of wind moving through the bamboo grove remained, along with the soft bubbling of boiling water in the kettle.

Zach closed his eyes. Three fingers came to rest lightly on Evan’s pulse, his expression focused and grave.

Seconds passed, then minutes. Each moment seemed to stretch endlessly.

Amelia stood nearby, watching the still tableau. Without realizing it, her heart crept into her throat.

She didn’t understand why she was so tense. After all, she wasn’t the one being examined.

But when her eyes shifted to Mason’s rigid profile beside her, the reason became clear.

She was anxious for him.

She didn’t know exactly how much effort Mason had put into Evan’s legs, but she’d seen enough to understand what it meant.

Zach was almost their last hope.

She could feel it. The man beside her appeared calm on the surface, but every muscle in his body was drawn tight.

At that moment, a warm, dry hand reached out and closed around hers with unerring precision.

Amelia startled and looked up, meeting Mason’s eyes.

He said nothing. His gaze alone told her not to worry.

She let him hold her hand. Her fingers curled unconsciously, lightly brushing against his palm.

Their small, intimate exchange went unnoticed.

After an indeterminate stretch of time, Zach finally opened his eyes and withdrew his hand.

“Well, Mr. Preston?” Mason asked.

Amelia felt his grip on her hand tighten slightly.

Zach lifted his teacup and took a slow sip before speaking. “It’s not beyond saving.”

Those words cut through the heavy clouds like a sudden beam of light, illuminating every heart present.

Amelia could even feel the tension leave Mason’s body for a brief instant.

But Zach’s next words made everyone tense again.

18.05 Mon, Jan 19

Chapter 381 The Weight of Hope

“The process will be extremely painful. Not something most people could endure.”

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He looked directly at Evan, his gaze sharp. “Your legs have been maintained very well over the years. There’s no severe muscle atrophy, which means you’ve kept up with rehabilitation. That alone is rare.

“However,” Zach continued, his tone shifting, “the nerve function inside is nearly paralyzed and necrotic. To awaken it again would be like scraping poison from bone and rebuilding shattered meridians.”

Scraping poison from bone. Rebuilding meridians.

Even hearing the words sent a chill through the air.

All eyes turned to Evan.

The man who had remained calm throughout now seemed to carry a quiet, radiant light in his gaze.

He didn’t hesitate for even a second. A gentle yet resolute smile curved his lips.

“It’s fine,” he said. “I can take it.”

Zach’s weathered eyes lingered on Evan’s composed, determined face for a long moment. At last, he nodded slowly, as if making a decision of great consequence.

He turned and motioned to Kaia, who had been standing silently to the side.

“Kaia, come here.”

She didn’t understand, but she stepped forward obediently and stopped beside her grandfather.

Zach looked at her. The sternness that usually marked his eyes was replaced by unmistakable gravity.

He let out a breath. “My health hasn’t been good lately, and my energy is failing me. For the upcoming needle treatment, you’ll take the lead. I’ll supervise from the side.”

The words stunned not only Kaia, but Amelia and Mason as well.

The decision came far too abruptly.

Kaia panicked.

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