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.

almost primal urge to sink

didn't flinch. Instead, she moved to the couch and sat down gracefully, her demeanor calm and unbothered. Her eyes rested on Alan, her tone measured and steady. "I'm the only one who can treat your

the surface. However, she continued, her voice unwavering, "You crave blood. Your body can't resist the hunger. It's driving

narrowed his eyes in surprise. Every word she had said was spot

to keep his body functioning and was barely holding on. But then his expression hardened, his lips curling into a mocking smile. "You could've gotten all

armrest and resting her chin in her hand. She raised a brow and said with confidence, "Then let me tell you something no

capable could a woman be anyway?

words made

working down there,

knew better than anyone else what

humiliating issue was something he had told no one. Not even the best doctors he had seen had discovered it. Only he was aware of it. His fists clenched harder, his brows furrowing as he stared at her. He was suddenly at a

You'll start to feel numbness creep through your body. Eventually,

a chill spreading through

a strange numbness that lasted a few minutes before disappearing. He had chalked it up to poor posture, but now that she mentioned it, he remembered it had been happening more often. And in hindsight, his

than

of his condition

chest. After a long pause, he fixed his

head, answering honestly, "I'm not sure.

to say. He laughed dryly. "So,

so accurately, only to admit she wasn't certain? Was this some kind of joke? Or was she just here to

hanging on with IV drips, and even they don't fully suppress your symptoms. At the very least, I can

she added, "I'll treat you for a few days. The symptoms will disappear, but I won't lie to you

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

didn't wait for him to respond. "We'll

this point, he was already a dying man. If there was even a slim chance,

a long silence, he