The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 254

Dr. Marcus Reed expertly finished wrapping the final layer of gauze around Nora's hands, tying it off securely.

"Mrs. Hayes, you absolutely cannot get these wounds wet. You need to change the dressings regularly to prevent infection," he instructed dutifully.

After giving his medical advice, the doctor packed up his kit, disposing of the bloody materials before turning his attention to Gideon.

"Mr. Hayes," the doctor approached with an iodine-soaked swab, his tone respectful. "You have multiple lacerations on your hands and face. We need to clean and disinfect them immediately to avoid tetanus."

Leaning against the cold wall, Gideon remained glued to his phone screen, completely unresponsive.

"Mr. Hayes?" Dr. Reed called out again, raising his voice slightly.

Gideon didn't flinch.

Hesitating, the doctor reached out, tentatively trying to touch his arm.

"Sir, your wounds need treatment..."

Gideon's shoulders jerked slightly, as if he were waking from a nightmare.

He slowly snapped back to reality, his dilated pupils focusing on the bottle of antiseptic hovering in the air.

"Your injuries need immediate attention," Dr. Reed repeated patiently, pointing at Gideon's blood-stained knuckles.

Gideon followed the doctor's gesture and looked down.

His knuckles were still smeared with Julian's blood from the brutal punches he had landed on the man's face.

Dr. Reed stood frozen, iodine swab in hand. He glanced awkwardly between Gideon's deathly pale face and Nora's heavily bandaged hands before offering a gentle reminder.

"Mr. Hayes... Mrs. Hayes' injuries were fully treated ten minutes ago."

Gideon didn't respond.

He lowered his head and raised his right hand, his dark eyes staring blankly at his own palm.

His battered knuckles throbbed violently, yet he felt absolutely nothing. He just stared at his empty hands.

These were the same hands that had led that frail little girl out of the iron gates of St. Jude's Children's Home. These were the hands that had shielded her from every storm.

And now, these hands couldn't hold onto a single thing.