Chapter 118: Invitation Without a Name

To her surprise, Gerardo’s stiffness lasted only a second. He relaxed and even laughed aloud, showing off. “Just a tiny needle. What’s there to be afraid of, huh!”

Yunice inserted four needles in quick succession. After removing them, she pressed on the joints to draw out a bit of blood. Throughout the whole process, Gerardo chatted idly with Wyatt, completely ignoring what Yunice was doing. He got so caught up in the conversation that by the time Yunice had finished the treatment, he didn’t even realize it was over. Not long after, he smacked his lips and reached for an orange from the fruit plate. He peeled it absentmindedly and ate it; then, without a second thought, grabbed a banana.

Yunice stepped aside and nudged Taylor with her elbow, signaling her to pay attention. Taylor’s eyes lit up. “Dad, looks like you’re hungry!”

Gerardo waved her off. “Hungry? I’ve got no appetite.”

“Then look down at all those fruit peels in front of you,” Taylor said.

Gerardo glanced down—and fell silent.

“See? Didn’t I tell you? Just let the doctor stick a few needles in you and bam—appetite restored!” She eagerly grabbed his arm. “No more chatting, let’s go eat while you’ve got it!”

“Hey…” Gerardo hesitated, looking back. “But Wyatt—”

They walked off together, leaving Yunice and Wyatt alone in the sky garden. Wyatt sipped his tea with calm indifference. Yunice, meanwhile, snuck glances at him. She couldn’t tell if he’d recognized her from the beginning. Otherwise, why would he have helped me out earlier?

Just as she was debating whether to come clean, Wyatt turned slightly and said, “Mind taking a look at me?”

Yunice hesitated, then stepped forward and rested a small wrist pillow on the table. She sat down and gently placed her gloved fingers on Wyatt’s wrist to take his pulse. The lace gloves were thin and elegant; her touch, delicate and graceful.

“Your fingers would look perfect with a wedding ring,” Wyatt said.

Yunice’s wary gaze stayed hidden beneath the brim of her cap. She was now certain that Wyatt recognized her.

“Don’t talk. It affects the treatment,” she warned.

Wyatt ignored her. “I’ve got a wife too. She’s a great doctor.”

Yunice stayed silent, pretending not to understand.

“I’m getting married soon,” he continued. “Planning to give her a little pre-wedding gift. As a fellow woman, got any suggestions?”

Yunice took a deep breath. He talks too damn much.

In a quiet, muffled voice, she answered, “Loyalty.”

“Oh,” he raised an eyebrow. “That’s a new one.”

(The following text is largely unintelligible and appears to be a corruption of the original; it has been omitted.)