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Julian stepped into the room, placed the two boxes of sanitary pads in the corner, and shrugged off his suit jacket as he made his way to the bedside. He leaned over and saw that Iris looked pale, with a thin layer of cold sweat across her forehead.
His heart ached for her. Gently, he reached out and touched her forehead–her temperature felt normal.
Iris slowly opened her eyes and murmured weakly, “You’re back.”
Julian bent down and kissed her softly on the lips. “Is the pain bad?”
She nodded.
Sliding his hand beneath the blanket, Julian rested his palm over her lower abdomen and began massaging in slow, steady circles. “Did you take anything for the pain?”
“I took some ibuprofen earlier,” Iris said faintly. “It didn’t really help.”
Julian got up and left the room, returning shortly with a heating pad. He carefully placed it
under her stomach.
The warmth brought a little relief.
Leaning close, he murmured near her ear, “Do you think you could eat something tonight?”
“I don’t think I can,” Iris replied softly.
While stroking her hair with one hand, Julian pulled out his phone with the other and video- called Brandon.
“What’s going on?” Brandon answered.
“How do you relieve menstrual cramps quickly?” Julian asked, unable to hide the worry in his
voice.
Brandon sounded puzzled. “Is this for Iris?”
Already on edge, Julian frowned at the obvious question. “Who else? You think my grandma gets period cramps?”
Brandon couldn’t help but chuckle, but he stopped when he saw Julian’s serious expression on
the screen.
As an experienced OB–GYN, Brandon knew there was no instant fix for menstrual pain-
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getting anxious wouldn’t make it any easier. He felt for his sister, but there wasn’t much he could suggest beyond the basics.
“Has she taken pain relievers?”
“Yes, and she’s still in pain.”
“Try heat.”
“Already using a heating pad.”
“Then maybe try some gentle pressure–point massage. It can help ease the discomfort.”
“Which points? Show me.”
“Around the lower abdomen–about two finger–widths below the navel is one spot. There’s another between the navel and the pubic bone. Gently press and massage each for a few minutes. Also, the fleshy area between the thumb and index finger on her hand, and the spot about three finger–widths above the inner ankle.”
“I’m not sure I’ll find them right.”
“Point the camera at Iris–I’ll guide you.”
Julian switched the camera view, and under Brandon’s direction, he located the areas and began massaging as instructed.
Once he hung up, Julian focused entirely on applying gentle pressure to Iris‘ abdomen and the points Brandon had mentioned.
Between the heating pad and the careful massage, Iris gradually felt some of the tension ease. Julian kept one hand moving in soothing circles over her belly until, bit by bit, her pain dulled, and she drifted into sleep.
Half–asleep, she remained aware of the steady, comforting motion on her stomach–not once did it stop.
She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when she vaguely felt the hand lift away, and with it, that calming sensation faded.
Blinking her eyes open, she glanced toward the side of the bed.
Julian was no longer in the room.
Pushing herself up, she checked the clock–a little past eight in the evening. She’d been asleep for over two hours.
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Which meant Julian had been massaging her abdomen for nearly that long.
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Iris tossed the blanket aside and got out of bed. A dull ache still lingered, but it was manageable now, nothing like the sharp pain from before.
Slipping on her house shoes, she noticed the two large boxes of name–brand pads in the corner and couldn’t help a soft, helpless smile.
He’d bought so many–how long would it take her to go through all of these?
She walked over, opened one box, pulled out a pad, and headed toward the bathroom.
As she pushed the door open, she found Julian standing at the sink. The sleeves of his white dress shirt were rolled up to his elbows, and he was carefully washing the clothes she’d changed out of earlier in a small basin.
Iris hurried over, her voice tense. “Julian, you really don’t have to do that–I’ll wash them later.”
Knowing how particular he was about cleanliness, the fact that he was handling her blood- stained clothes made her heart squeeze with guilt.
Julian didn’t pause. He glanced over at her, his eyes concerned. “Are you still hurting?”
“It’s better now,” she said quietly, reaching for the clothes in his hands. “They’re too stained- just leave them, please.”
With a gentle nudge of his elbow, he shifted her back and blocked her hand. “This came from your body, Iris. It’s not dirty. And you shouldn’t be touching cold water right now.”
A tender ache bloomed in Iris‘ chest, emotion washing over her in quiet waves. There was something deeply moving in his matter–of–fact care.
“Are you hungry?” Julian asked, his hands still working soap through the fabric. He turned his head to meet her gaze.
Iris nodded, then asked softly, “Have you eaten yet?”
“Not yet,” he replied with a faint smile. “I was waiting for you.”
Iris pressed her lips together and looked down, staying silent for a moment.
“Go ahead and freshen up,” Julian said gently. “I’ll be done here soon.”
“But you’re right here… I feel kind of embarrassed,” Iris admitted, her cheeks warming.
Julian’s brows drew together slightly. He lowered his head to catch her eyes, his voice tender but firm. “Iris, we’re as close as two people can be. We take care of each other. If I had to help you in
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any way–even with things that might feel awkward–it wouldn’t be gross or strange to me. The same goes for you. You don’t ever have to feel shy or hide from me.”
Iris‘ face grew warmer. She’d always been somewhat private about these things, and the intimacy still felt new.
“You’re a modern woman,” he added gently. “There’s no reason for period shame.”
Encouraged by his words, Iris took a small breath and nodded.
Clutching the pad, she moved toward the toilet but still hesitated. She glanced back shyly. “Just… don’t look, okay?”
Julian let out a soft, patient sigh, his tone warm and reassuring. “I’m not looking. I’m busy washing your clothes–see?”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.

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