Chapter 541 What Medicine Is It
Nathaniel reflected on yesterday, realizing he hadn't told her the truth in that moment either.
"Aurelia, what time is it?"
"Past ten. Dorothy and Jacob have already left for school. You should get up too—we're going to the hospital later." Aurelia's voice carried a gentle firmness that brooked no argument.
Nathaniel bolted upright from beneath the covers. "I slept this late?"
As he'd suspected, Aurelia had kept vigil over him all night. He had an internal clock that never failed him—he'd never slept past eight, let alone ten.
Aurelia watched his every movement with careful attention, her eyes tracking each gesture for signs of distress. Last night had terrified her, and she was determined not to miss any warning signs.
"Are you hungry?" she asked softly.
Nathaniel's stomach was indeed empty. Aurelia handed him a glass of water first. "Drink this, then come downstairs with me. We'll have breakfast before we leave."
Nathaniel paused, recognizing the protective stance she'd adopted—as if she intended to shadow his every step.
"Aurelia, I'm fine. We don't need to go to the hospital. Let's just have breakfast and head to work."
Aurelia's heart clenched, but she forced herself to remain calm, afraid her emotions might worsen his condition.
She curved her lips into a gentle smile, her voice soft and coaxing. "I've already called in sick for you. Rest is what you need right now—your health comes first."
"Aurelia, I have an important contract meeting today," Nathaniel said, raising an eyebrow.
"I've spoken to Zack and Marcus. Everything's handled." Her tone was matter-of-fact, leaving no room for negotiation.
Nathaniel fell silent for a moment. "Fine, but we don't need the hospital. I feel like I'm—"
"Nathaniel, please listen to me." Aurelia's voice remained gentle but insistent. "Let's just go for a check-up. I know you're fine—think of it as a routine physical."
Her every word was carefully chosen to soothe him, each syllable designed to avoid triggering whatever darkness had consumed him the night before. She was convinced this was a psychological episode, and nothing would dissuade her from seeking professional help.
Nathaniel met her gaze, seeing the unwavering determination in her eyes. He knew that regardless of his protests, she would insist on taking him to see a doctor. There was no point in fighting her on this.
"Alright. I'll do whatever you think is best," he conceded.
When Nathaniel went to freshen up, Aurelia stationed herself outside the bathroom door like a sentinel. She squeezed toothpaste onto his brush before he asked, stood beside him while he washed his face, and never let him leave her sight. In her mind, he had become a patient—one who might relapse at any moment.
After he finished washing up, Aurelia led him downstairs to the breakfast nook while she retrieved their prepared meal from the kitchen. Her phone buzzed on the table—a spam call. Nathaniel reached over to decline it, but the open browser tabs on her screen made his chest tighten. He glanced at her slender figure moving about the kitchen, then back at the search history that painted a devastating picture:
[What dangerous things do people with depression do?]
[Do people with depression attempt suicide?]
[How to help someone with depression?]
[Who is Coral Bay's leading depression specialist?]*Do people with depression attempt suicide?*
*How to help someone with depression?*
*Who is Coral Bay's leading depression specialist?*
Every search centered on depression and suicide prevention. She was terrified he might take his own life.
Understanding flooded through him—her constant vigilance, her refusal to leave him alone, the way she watched his every move. She was afraid he would hurt himself.
Aurelia returned with sandwiches and two glasses of milk—his usual breakfast. She had no appetite herself, instead focusing entirely on watching him eat every bite. When he finished, she grabbed a bottle of water and took his hand to lead him outside.
They drove to Galaxy General Hospital. Aurelia had researched extensively the night before—Coral Bay Galaxy General had the finest psychiatric department in the country. She'd also arranged for someone to bring Mark from Imperick, though she kept these details to herself, not wanting to add to his psychological burden.
Outside the consultation room, Aurelia wrapped her arms around him in a brief embrace. "I'll wait right here for you. This is just a routine check-up, nothing more."
Nathaniel acquiesced completely, walking into the office alone. After the examination, he emerged to find Aurelia scrutinizing his expression for any sign of distress. He appeared calm and composed.
The doctor followed behind him, holding a chart. "He's recovering well—essentially cured, I'd say. Just maintain normal precautions, and there shouldn't be any problems."
Aurelia's eyes darted suspiciously between Nathaniel and the doctor. A paranoid thought crept into her mind—had Nathaniel somehow bribed the doctor to say these things to reassure her?
The memory of his breakdown the previous night still haunted her. How could he possibly be cured?
"Doctor, does he need medication?" she pressed.
The doctor's tone grew impatient. "There's no illness to treat. Medication always carries side effects. Just go home."
Aurelia's anxiety spiked. She didn't trust the doctor's assessment—Nathaniel was clearly ill and needed intensive care, yet this physician claimed he was fine. Incompetent fool.
Nathaniel acted as though he'd completed an assigned task. "Aurelia, we're finished here. Let's go home."
Aurelia said nothing more, afraid of upsetting him. Depression patients were sensitive, and she weighed every word carefully to avoid triggering another episode.
"Yes, let's go home," she agreed quietly.
Back at the house, Nathaniel retreated to their bedroom again. Yesterday's ordeal had drained him physically and emotionally, and within minutes of lying down, he was asleep once more.
Aurelia tended to him with the vigilance of a mother watching a newborn. Finally, with him safely unconscious, she could attend to other matters. She pulled out his suitcase, which still contained some of his sleepwear.
Closing the walk-in closet door to muffle any sound, she carefully hung each garment, moving with deliberate quiet. When she reached the bottom of the case, a small box caught her attention. She remembered how he'd refused her help unpacking when they returned from Imperick—something that hadn't seemed significant at the time, but now, combined with his erratic behavior, felt ominous.
She'd always respected his privacy, but his illness changed everything. Aurelia couldn't afford to ignore potential warning signs. Crouching down, she opened the box to find several medication bottles arranged in neat rows. The drug names were completely unfamiliar to her.
What kind of medication was this?
"Aurelia?" Nathaniel's voice called from the bedroom.
Panic shot through her as she quickly replaced the lid and returned the box to its original position. She zipped up the suitcase and emerged from the closet, forcing her voice to remain steady. "You're awake? Would you like some water?"
Nathaniel felt uncomfortable as he noticed all the windows and doors had been tightly sealed.
"Aurelia, I'm really fine. You don't need to worry about me like this."
"I'm not worried," she lied, her mind racing with images of those mysterious pill bottles. She memorized the drug names, planning to research them later.
That evening, after Nathaniel had fallen into deep sleep, Aurelia opened her phone and searched for the medication names. The results left her gasping for air, as if someone had reached into her chest and squeezed her heart until it stopped beating.
All strength seemed to drain from her body as she stared at the screen in numb shock, clutching her phone like a lifeline. She desperately wanted this to be a nightmare, but the steady breathing beside her confirmed the terrible reality.
How was this possible? How could he have developed that condition?
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