Turning Of The Tide (Natalie and Trevon)

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Entering the room, Ethan stood silently by the doorway, watching the two doctors examine Natalie. The

doctor began by checking her temperature and reported, “39.5 degrees.”

In the grip of a high fever, Natalie murmured incoherently, her words indiscernible. Ethan’s anxiety

grew, prompting him to ask, “How is she doing?”

The doctor replied honestly, advising. “Miss Natalie has a dangerously high temperature. She requires

an intravenous saline solution. After administering the injection, I will have a nurse stay with her. As

both of us are males, it would be inappropriate to remain in the room. Furthermore, her inability to

speak means she won’t be disturbed.*

Ethan understood the reasoning. He could see Natalie’s discomfort from his vantage point at the

doorway. Her brow furrowed in pain. Recognizing his limitations as a male attendant, he realized it

would be impractical for him to assist with tasks such as body care. If he attempted to do so, he could

risk compromising his well–being for the following day. “In that case, please make yourselves

comfortable on the living room sofa. Wait until Miss Natalie’s temperature subsides, and then you can

leave.”

The doctor nodded in agreement, saying, “Very well, I will start the saline infusion. As he began the

procedure, he instructed the mute nurse, “You can stay in the room and attend to her. Wipe her arms

and forehead with a damp cloth to help lower her temperature and make her more comfortable. Her

fever is quite high.”

The tall nurse listened attentively, nodding in understanding. Satisfied with the plan, Ethan followed the

doctor out of the room and closed the door behind them. The room became tranquil, leaving Natalie in

the nurse’s care.

By closing the door, Ethan intended to ensure privacy, especially if there was a need to attend to

Natalie’s physical needs.

The woman on the bed occasionally furrowed her brow and turned her head. Her murmured words

were indiscernible. Her cheeks, flushed with fever, had resembled a delicate blush, revealing her

discomfort. In response to her distress, the nurse entered the bathroom and filled a basin with warm

water. She dipped a towel into the soothing liquid and gently wiped the woman’s forehead. Her

movements had been delicate and cautious, as if she had handled a fragile treasure with utmost care.

Natalie’s body radiated intense heat. In her search for comfort, she reached out her pristine arm. The

nurse delicately clasped her tiny hand and offered a comforting grip. Starting from the wrist, she

carefully wiped the arm, proceeding to the palm. Her gaze remained fixed on the woman lying on the

bed, unwavering in her care. After the gentle wiping, she tucked Natalie’s arm under the blanket,

ensuring she was warmly wrapped.

After approximately half an hour, the saline solution began to take effect. The rosy flush on Natalie’s

cheeks gradually subsided, and the furrow between her brows relaxed slightly. With her eyes closed,

she softly murmured words that were difficult to discern.

Drawing closer, the nurse reached out to arrange the stray strands of hair on Natalie’s face. She gently

smoothed the creased brow, soothingly whispering, “What do you need?”

Natalie found the voice peculiar yet strangely familiar in her fevered state. Although her mind was

clouded, she struggled to make out the person before her. With effort, she half–squinted her eyes and

repeated, “Water”

As the nurse prepared to fetch water from the kitchen, her gaze fell upon a hot water bottle on the

bedside table.

Quickly grabbing a cup, the nurse filled it with water and placed it on the bedside table. Sitting by the

edge of the bed, she carefully lifted Natalie’s upper body and cradled her against her own. With a gentle touch, she tidied the stray strands of hair from Natalie’s forehead. She tenderly offered her the

cup of water using her free hand, ensuring each movement was soft and delicate. However, in

Natalie’s groggy state, she only drank half of it, spilling the rest onto the bed, leaving a damp patch.

The nurse grew slightly anxious. Slowly lowering Natalie back onto the bed, she reached for a tissue

and delicately wiped the corners of her lips. She then proceeded to dab away the damp spots on the

sheets. Once the tasks were completed, her gaze returned to Natalie’s face, noticing her slightly dry

lips. Determined, she rose and opened the bedside drawer, searching for straw. To her disappointment,

none could be found. Briefly pausing, she fixated on Natalie’s parched lips before deciding.

She stood up and quietly locked the bedroom door. In the living room, Ethan immediately reacted to the

sound, preparing to enter the master bedroom. The composed middle–aged doctor reassured him. “No

need to be alarmed. We wouldn’t be able to leave this room if we had any intentions My apprentice is

simply assisting in physically cooling down Miss Natalie. Locking the door prevents an awkward

situation for all of us. Let’s remember, she is a woman, after all”

As the doctor’s words sank in, Ethan hesitated momentarily before settling back into his seat. Yet, his

gaze remained fixated on the door leading to the master bedroom

Inside the room, the nurse took a delicate sip from the water cup before settling on the edge of the bed

Leaning close, she pressed her chilled lips against Natalie’s fevered ones. With gentle determination,

she coaxed Natalie’s mouth open. recognizing the source of relief Natale responded, parting her lips

willingly as the cool water trickled in. Once Natalie had taken her fill, the nurse took a sip, then leaned

down again, sealing their lips together. The water flowed again, finding its way into Natalie’s thirsty

mouth. This cycle repeated five or six times until the drinking pace slowed, signifying a pause.

Carefully, the nurse retrieved a tissue and tenderly wiped away any lingering droplets from the corners

of Natalie’s lips. Her palm, broad and comforting, gently caressed Natalie’s flushed cheek. A mix of

reluctance, apology, and remorse shone through her eyes.

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Finally, in a soft, remorseful voice, the whispered. “I’m sorry?

The following morning, Natalie stirred from her slumber. The sunlight peeked through the partially

drawn curtain a gentle glow across the room. Stretching her limba lazily, she luxuriated in the

revitalistioad her body was a contested sigh, she murmured. “Hmm…”

Her constitution had always been strong and her body had a remarkable ability to recover. As she

raised her food, the noticed a faint mark on the back of her right hand–a needle prick Had the ben gym

an injection?

Sitting in bed, she adjusted the covers, trying to make sense of the events from the preozen nigh She

vaguely remembered calling Ethan when she had a fever, but the details seemned hazy. She recalled

gimpers of a marked oran tending to her. offering water and whispering apologies in fragmented

phrases. It all felt surreal, like fragments of a dream

But the voice of the female doctor

A peculiar thought emerged, only to be swiftly dismissed

A sense of unease washed over her. Was there something wrong with her lately? How could the

rearriain such thoughts

Once Natalie stretched and rose from the bed, she went to the wardrobe and selected a comdorable

dorms. Aber dresan she emerged from the room and inquired. “Lena, is Jasper will asleep

Lena observed Natalie’s complexion closely and nodded in approval. “Didn’t want to disturb your rest,

so Jening took harni downstairs for a stroll. Why don’t you catch some more rest??

“Im feeling much better now, and I can’t sleep any longer! Besides, she wasn’t ne to indulge in lazy mornin

Lea began to voice her concerns. “Last night, thanks to Mr. White’s swift actions in calling the dorse

your tempen had wared to nearly 40 degrees. I was truly alarmed when I heard about in Mr. White

stayed with you werd $20 AM. only allowing the doctors to leave once your fever subsided. They

endured the right at his insistence. The older doctor even stumbled a few times as he departed.”

Natalie had yet to realize the gravity of the situation. The faint image of the female doctor resurfaced in

her mind, leaving her with lingering questions. “Tera, two doctors came last night. Was there also a

woman among them?

Lena was an early river, with age reducing her need for sleep. She had already prepared we cral for

trade in ter was another doctor, a remarkably tall woman. Id say the must have been around 59 Som

tall. She was en taller than Mr White, and had a sturdy build. Mr. White thoughtfully arranged for a

female doctor to take care of you. They didn’t bother waking us two old folks. But Mr. White mentioned

that the worran doctor is mute, which as

Lena’s empathy for the mute nurse lingered in Natalie’s mind, but she was preoccupied with her

thought

Was the female doctor truly mute? But she distinctly heard an apology from her last night. Perhaps her

fever had clouded

her senses

Suddenly, Natalie realized that Lera wouldn’t confuse the genders, and Ethan was not one to fabricate

stores. If Lera sad a woman, then it must be so. She had let her imagination run wild, but such a un

ition would never occur with Erhan was simply the ramblings of a fevered mind.

Meanwhile, in Sherri’s room, she hard spent the entire night contemplating her confesion Seated at the

dining table, she absentmindedly fed Ruby, stealing occasional glances at Juara’s face to gauge her

reaction.

Sherri had mustered the courage to condes the previous night but ultimately decided against it.

he was bere

Juara noticed Sherri’s intense gaze and inquired. “What’s on your mand? You were fixated on your

father and now you’re staring at me If there’s something you want to uy, uy it. I won’t resort to volmre

Sherri straightened her posture, summoning every ounce of resolve as if faring her deepest fears

head–on Juana, I need to talk to you You promise me you won’t lash out at me, no matter what I

reveal”

Juara shot her a disapproving look and nonchalantly peeled tomato for Ruby “I won’t mort to violence,

not even if you condess to the most heinous crimes. So, tell me, what’s the matter?

With Juana’s response. Sherri’s newfound courage instantly evaporated, leaving her feeling defined

Observing Sherri’s sad state, Juana softened her tone and gently probed, “Go ahead. I assure you I

won’t lay a hand on you. Tell me what’s bothering you” Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Sherri took a deep breath, closing her eyes briefly before mustering the courage to speak. “Raby is my

daughter“: cautusly eened her eyes anxiously waiting for her mother’s reaction

To her surprise, Juana remained ulent, leaving Sherri no choice but to repeat herself, her vower led

with determination. “I sad, Ruby is my daughter”

Juror’s patience wore thin as the responded with irritation. “I already know that You’ve always called

yourself her mother. Why bring it up now And why hasn’t Natalie come to pick up Kubry today”

Juana couldn’t help but feel puzzled by Natalie’s absence, as she usually took Ruby home at this

bevar

Sherri couldn’t believe Justia didest grasp the weight of her words. Imean, Robyn my biological

daughter, prout

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granddaughter. I gave birth to her,” she said with a surge of courage, raising her voice.

Sherri’s declaration lingered in the air, enveloping the room in a tense and unsettling silence, Juana

stood frozen, her initial shock rendering her momentarily speechless.

Seconds ticked by, and Ruby sat peacefully, obliviously enjoying her meal of tomato Sherri anxiously

stared at her mother. their eyes locked in a tense gaze. Finally, Juana regained her composure and

demanded, “Repeat it.”

Sherri’s voice quivered, her gaze averted downward, lacking the usual strength and conviction. “I… I’m

the one who gave birth to Ruby,”