Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 283

When Daisy York woke up the next morning, it was raining.

It was a light drizzle, tapping softly against the glass and washing the city in a muted gray. She sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for the pill organizer on her nightstand before slowly lowering her feet onto the rug.

Her ankle was a bit stiff.

It wasn't a paralyzing pain, just a stiffness, like an old switch inside her body hadn't fully flipped on yet. Since she returned from abroad, the first thing most people said to her was, "You've recovered so well."

She usually just smiled.

Because explaining was too exhausting.

Recovering well didn't mean she wouldn't get cramps in the middle of the night; it didn't mean her joints wouldn't ache on rainy days; it didn't mean she could effortlessly pretend those years were just a sickness left in the past.

She wasn't instantly cured the moment she returned.

She had just finally come back.

A knock sounded at the door.

Julian's voice drifted through the wood. "Are you awake?"

Daisy grabbed the small bear pillow beside her and chucked it at the door.

It hit the floor harmlessly.

"Julian, if you keep this up, I'm going to register you as a patient and diagnose you with obsessive helicopter-parent syndrome."

The hallway was silent for two seconds.

Julian pushed the door open, holding a glass of water.

He saw the pillow on the floor, bent down to pick it up, and set it on a chair.

"Insurance doesn't cover that."

Daisy took the water and wrinkled her nose. "Dry humor. Minus ten points."

Julian nudged the pill organizer toward her hand. "You need to be at Stellaris Medical by ten. We leave at nine-thirty."

"I know."

"Breakfast is downstairs."

"I know."

"The roads are slick. Wear your non-slip shoes."

Daisy looked up at him.

Julian pressed his lips together.

The room fell silent.

He knew perfectly well he was overstepping.

After a long moment, he said, "Alright."

Daisy was actually caught off guard.

"You're really letting me go alone?"

"Yeah," he said. "Text me when you get to Stellaris."

Daisy was about to protest.

Julian added, "Can I at least keep that rule?"

She looked at him and finally smiled.

"Fine. Reasonable request from family, approved by the Patient Consultant."

At ten o'clock, Daisy arrived at Stellaris Medical.

She had been here a few times before, and the receptionist recognized her. As the elevator doors opened, Maya Merritt nearly collided with her, rushing out of a conference room clutching her laptop.

"Daisy! Perfect timing." Maya looked like she'd found a lifeline. "Help me look over this draft for the patient records guide. I've stared at it so long the words have lost all meaning."

Daisy closed her umbrella and shook off the droplets. "Put to work the second I walk in?"

"Stellaris tradition—participation upon entry." Maya shoved the laptop into her hands, then checked her expression. "Are you feeling alright today? Have a seat if you're not."