When fate plays its hand

When it was time for the acupuncture treatment, Alaric unrolled a cloth bundle that contained rows of neatly arranged silver needles in different sizen.

Miranda’s scalp tingled at the sight. “A–Are you going to start now?

“Yes”

“Where are you going to place those needles?” she asked.

He pointed to her head. “Here.”

Miranda looked confused. “Why are you placing the needles on my head when it’s my ankle that’s hurt?” She wasn’t doubting him–just curious. All rights © NôvelDrama.Org.

Alaric explained, “Your ankle hurts when pressed because the injury hasn’t fully healed. There’s still swelling and poor blood circulation, causing the discomfort.

“The major pressure points on your head are connected to your nervous system. Stimulating them can help improve circulation and ease tension throughout your body. Think of it as addressing the root cause, not just the symptom.”

Since the brain coordinated many functions, stimulating these specific points helped improve circulation and recovery.

“Ready? Then, let’s begin.” Alaric rolled up his sleeves and reached for a needle.

Miranda, feeling anxious, instinctively reached out for something to hold onto. Paul quickly offered his hand, and she gripped it without hesitation.

*Relax. It’ll be over before you know it.” Alaric’s voice was soft and had a calming effect.

After hearing that, she instinctively closed her eyes. She braced herself for pain, but all she felt was a quick sting on her scalp–like an ant bite. The discomfort lasted only a moment, and then she felt nothing at all.

“Alright, the first needle is done.”

She wanted to open her eyes, but he stopped her. “Not yet. We still have a few more. You can’t move right

now.”

Miranda stayed perfectly still as she tried to ignore the strange sensation. With her eyes shut, her other senses seemed to heighten. She was a little tense and tried to clench her fist, but instead, she gripped Paul’s warm hand.

Alaric’s comforting voice broke through her thoughts. “Relax. No need to be nervous. See? It’s not as scary as you thought, right?”

His words eased her tension, and she slowly began to relax.

He added, “You can’t move around too much yet, but it’s okay to open your eyes slowly now.”

Her eyelids fluttered as light filled her vision. In the mirror ahead of her, she saw silver needles sticking out of her head–so many that it was alarming and oddly amusing, like a porcupine.

Alaric had told Miranda not to move, so she kept her back straight. But maintaining that position was starting to make her sore.

He glanced at the small therapy bed in the next room and gestured to Paul. “Help her over to that bed. She’ll be more comfortable if she can lean against the wall.”

Paul glanced down at her.

Her hand was fair and slender, with a healthy pink to her nails. She probably hadn’t even realized she was still gripping his hand since she was too nervous to let go. Both their palms were damp with a light sweat.

He didn’t pull his hand away. Instead, he let Miranda use it for support as he helped her stand and guided her to the bed in the next room.

Alaric kept his eyes on the needles as they were inserted at key acupuncture points–major pressure points on the body–and he couldn’t afford any mistakes while she moved.

Miranda was tense, but Paul seemed even more on edge. The short distance felt like it took forever. When he finally helped her sit down, they both sighed in relief.

Alaric found their expressions amusing and instructed Paul, “The treatment isn’t over yet. Help her take off her shoes, lift her foot, and gently place her leg on the stand.”

Paul crouched down, taking hold of the heel of her shoe and carefully pulling it off.