Part 6
PART 6
Dr. Aris sighed, a sound of immense boredom and irritation.
"Mr. Vale, this is exactly why I advised against hiring external, unvetted staff. Emotional interference always disrupts the clinical timeline. I must insist that Miss Reed leave the premises during the session."
Dominic didn't answer immediately.
His eyes shifted from Dr. Aris to Clara, and then finally down to Noah.
The boy had crawled closer to Clara's legs, his tiny hand reaching out to grab the hem of her trousers. He was trembling again.
"The session is canceled," Dominic said.
The words were quiet, but they carried the weight of an absolute decree.
Dr. Aris froze. "Mr. Vale? We have a strict protocol. If we miss a cycle—"
"I said, cancel it," Dominic repeated, his voice hardening. "Your protocol has yielded zero words in eighteen months, Doctor. Last night, she achieved three. My money buys results, not adherence to a failing system."
Dr. Aris’s face flushed red with embarrassment. He tightly gripped his briefcase.
"You are making a grave mistake, Mr. Vale. If the boy regresses further, it will not be my responsibility."
"You are dismissed, Aris," Dominic said coldly, not even looking at him.
The doctor turned on his heel and walked briskly down the hallway, his shoes clicking angrily against the floorboards.
Once the front door was heard slamming downstairs, Dominic turned his full attention back to Clara.
"You have today," Dominic said, his voice tight. "One day to prove to me that your 'intuition' is better than medical science. If Noah doesn't show progress by tonight, I will call Aris back, and you will be escorted from this property."
"One day is not how healing works," Clara said.
"It's all you have," Dominic replied coldly. "Don't waste it."
He turned and walked toward his study, leaving them alone once more.
Clara took a deep breath, calming her own racing heart. She knelt back down to Noah’s level.
"Well," she said with a small smile. "It looks like it's just you and me today, Noah. What do you say we get out of this hallway?"
Noah looked at her for a long moment.
Then, slowly, he released her trousers and held out his hand.
Not to give her a toy this time.
But to hold her hand.
May you like
Clara's heart swelled. She gently took his small, warm hand in hers.
"Let's go downstairs," she whispered. "Let's find something that isn't made of marble or silk."
