Her Hidden Crowns (Suzanne and Austin)

Chapter 8

Alan's illness made him crave blood and become aggressive. Leaving Suzanne alone with him seemed reckless.

Richard stepped forward with a worried look. "Dr. Smith, you don't understand. My son's condition is... complicated."

Shane chimed in, clearly disapproving, "Exactly. If he lashes out, you won't be able to defend yourself."

No matter how skilled she was as a doctor, to them, she was still a fragile woman.

But Suzanne's gaze stayed fixed on Alan. She shook her head and said calmly, "It's fine."

Shane wanted to argue more, but Suzanne raised a hand to stop him. "Trust me."

Shane froze, his eyes narrowing. He knew her temperament better than anyone. Once she decided something, there was no changing her mind.

Still, he couldn't shake his worry. "Fine, but be careful. I'll be right outside. If anything happens, call me immediately."

To Shane, nothing mattered more than her safety.

Suzanne saw the concern in his eyes and gave him a small nod, silently reassuring him.

Richard felt uneasy and looked at Alan, speaking in a firm but pleading tone, "You have to control yourself. Don't you dare hurt her!"

Their worry was palpable as both men reluctantly stepped out. They glanced back several times before the door closed behind them.

The moment the door clicked shut, Suzanne's gaze fell on Alan, who immediately growled, "You can leave too!"

His fists were clenched tightly, veins bulging on his forehead as he visibly struggled to maintain control. With fewer people around, the sweet scent of blood seemed stronger, teasing his senses and tempting him.

delicate neck. He had an almost primal urge to

and sat down gracefully, her demeanor calm and unbothered. Her eyes rested on Alan, her tone measured and steady. "I'm the only one

continued, her voice unwavering, "You crave blood. Your body can't resist the hunger. It's driving you mad—making you irritable, reckless, and even

eyes in surprise. Every word she had said was spot

drips to keep his body functioning and was barely holding on. But then his expression hardened, his lips curling into a mocking

leaned back on the couch, propping her elbow on the armrest and resting her chin in her hand. She raised a brow and said with confidence, "Then

disdain. How capable could a woman be

next words made him

down there, are

gaze landed on Alan, and he knew better than anyone else

best doctors he had seen had discovered it. Only he was aware of it. His fists

said softly, "These symptoms aren't the last of it. You'll

a chill spreading through him as

chalked it up to poor posture, but now that she mentioned it, he remembered it had been happening more often. And in hindsight, his

end, he would be nothing more than

must have some understanding of his condition to describe so

calm the agitation rising in his chest. After a long pause, he

shook her head, answering honestly, "I'm not sure. I can only

what to say. He laughed dryly. "So, you're

only to admit she wasn't certain? Was this

you're barely hanging on with IV drips, and even they don't fully suppress your symptoms. At the very least, I can help you get complete relief. Whether I can cure

few days. The

at her, momentarily speechless. His gaze lingered on her, his lips parting slightly

to respond. "We'll use acupuncture. If you agree, I'll

darkened, his mind a storm of agitation. But what was the harm in trying? At this point, he was already a dying man. If there was even a slim chance,

long silence, he