Reclaiming Her Heart

Chapter 517 Raymond Really Cares for Her

Touched, Olivia found herself gazing at Raymond, a belief blooming within her that she still occupied a corner of his heart. "Raymond, you truly do care for me," she murmured.

Raymond, ensconced on the couch, offered no response to her heartfelt declaration.

As Dr. Barnes concluded his examination of her finger, Olivia proffered her other hand just as he was preparing to take his leave.

"Dr. Barnes, this hand feels somewhat peculiar as well," she said.

It was evident, even to the most obtuse observer, that Olivia was contriving reasons to prolong his stay. But to what end?

Dr. Barnes' gaze strayed involuntarily towards Raymond, who appeared lost in thought and failed to return the look. The previous night, Alex had insinuated that Raymond was entangled in a romantic liaison with another. Yet, Raymond's tolerance of Olivia's theatrics suggested a lingering affection for her. Perhaps Alex's tales were mere fabrications. Unperturbed by the additional task, Dr. Barnes meticulously examined her other hand before offering her a smile.

"Miss Stone, may I take my leave now?" he asked.

All things considered, his visit had extended by a good forty minutes. Olivia responded with a slight smile.

"Dinner is prepared, Dr. Barnes. Would you care to join us?"

Dr. Barnes declined her invitation with a shake of his head, casting a glance at his wristwatch.

be

visit, he had received three calls from

perspiration dotting her forehead, her lips nearly blanched from anxiety. She repeatedly

negative response would cause her to unravel completely. However, given the state of

back her tears,

Selena say, "Shelley, I wish to rest for a while. You

left speechless, opting to remain by Selena's side for

over the doctor's words of uncertainty, her tears cascading down

in strode Baxter Barnes, his white coat a stark contrast to the sterile

tears, her heart

number before settling down beside her. He reached out, taking her injured hand into his own for a closer examination. "What happened?" he

her voice raspy from crying, "Can it

be able to accept

Her chest rose and fell

was merely the worst-case scenario. Allow me to treat this again. The soft tissue is relatively unscathed. If you're careful during the recovery, there shouldn't be any lasting damage.

preliminary examination and applied a temporary treatment. However, as time passed, the finger had swelled, making a second examination inevitable and

gave a small nod, leaning back against her

skin and soft tissues had been completely damaged, amputation would have been the only

down her face. Baxter Barnes noted

and subsequent treatment took a full twenty minutes, after which the wound was