After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 233

"Let me see your injury."

Once they were in Aria's hospital room, Aria closed the door.

Raphael paused for a moment, then, without making a fuss, lifted his shirt.

Beneath the fabric, a dark bruise stained his back.

Raphael's skin was naturally pale, almost sickly so, which made the mark look severe.

Aria pressed her lips together and gently touched his back.

Her fingers were cool, and Raphael's skin instinctively tightened. Even his voice was a bit hoarse when he spoke.

"It's nothing. I'm used to it. A few days of rest and my medication will be enough."

"This is subcutaneous bleeding. You can't just keep managing it with medication. I'll use acupuncture to stimulate circulation and clear that bruising."

Acupuncture was an often-underestimated form of treatment.

While it didn't offer the immediate results of conventional medicine, it was more stable.

It didn't leave a residue of toxins in the body like some medications did.

"I've been following the special diet you gave me. I already feel a lot better."

"You've learned to lie, have you? How could a diet plan show results after just two meals?"

Even when Gideon was on a special diet years ago, it took nearly six months for Aria to see any real effect.

And this was Raphael, who had already had a relapse.

Raphael chuckled. "It's really working, Dr. Aria."

Aria didn't say anything more. She took the sterilized silver needles and inserted them into his back.

As the bruised blood slowly drained from the needle points, Aria wiped her fingers with a tissue.

"There's still a little left, but it should be absorbed quickly."

Raphael looked at his back in the mirror. He wasn't particularly concerned about his body. After fixing his clothes, he turned to Aria, his gaze focused.

Aria lowered her head, nervously picking at her fingers.

Hearing about Sylvia, Aria's first instinct was to shy away.

It was a strange feeling. She was afraid Sylvia wasn't a good mother, but she was also afraid that she was.

Her whirlwind of thoughts settled into a single sigh. "I want to know, but I'm also afraid to know."

Roxanne was able to cast aside a fifteen-year bond with her to pour all her love onto Lilith. Would Sylvia do the same?

Raphael's eyes filled with an unstoppable wave of sympathy for Aria.

He started to reach out, wanting to pull her into a comforting embrace, but his fingers paused just before touching her shoulder, and he drew his hand back.

Without the right kind of relationship, comfort and pity could feel like an intrusion.

"I will help you find Ms. Sterling," Raphael said.

"I will definitely help you find her."