Chapter 320
Light danced across the floor af Silver City Medical Center as Irene shed open Matthew’s door, finding an empty office and no doctor in sight.
“Hello?” She stepped inside, checking her watch. Nine–Ish. Odd for him to miss his own meeting.
She wandered to his desk, fingers tapping against the wood. After a moment, she pulled out her phone and called him. A ringtone echoed from somewhere nearby. She hung up and perched on the edge of the desk, waiting patiently.
Matthew appeared moments later, phone in hand. He spotted Irene and blinked in surprise.
“Beat me to it,” he said, setting his coffee down with a soft thud. “I thought I’d have a few minutes to prepare before you arrived.”
Irene shrugged. “Just walked in a minute ago. Called when I realized your weren’t here.”
“Makes sense,” Matthew said, dropping into his chair. He pushed aside some papers and got down to business,
“We’re starting a new research program,” he said, fidgeting with a pen between his fingers. “We need someone who really knows nerve stimulation therapy. Someone with experience.”
He stood to grab water. “Remember that project we started in R Country? It’s still sitting there half–finished. There are too many people waiting for solutions we might be able to provide.”
Matthew handed her a glass, keeping a friendly but professional distance. “I’d like you on board with us, Irene. Just research,
nothing complicated or political.”
Irene sipped her water, mind drifting back to those labs overseas. They’d been so close to a breakthrough–that sweet spot where theory transforms into something that actually changes lives.
She thought about her situation now: Adam was improving weekly, and Joseph practically begged for more grandpa time with the kids. Maybe this was exactly what she needed in her life.
“Count me in,” she said after a thoughtful pause. “But my schedule needs some wiggle room. Family commitments come first.”
Matthew’s face brightened with genuine relief. “That’s perfect. You can make your own hours. The team will be ready whenever you
are.”
Irene stood, wrapping up their meeting. “I’ll look through my old notes tonight and see where we should pick things up,
They shook hands briefly. As Irene walked out of the office, her mind was already racing with research ideas she hadn’t thought about in months.
The sun had long disappeared when delicious kitchen smells filled every corner of the house. Irene stirred a pot of something that made stomachs growl from rooms away.
“Mom! We’re absolutely starving over here! The triplets burst into the kitchen, following their noses like cartoon characters floating
on a scent.
“Good things come to those who wait,” Irene teased, tasting the sauce with a small spoon and adjusting the seasoning.
Lily bounced forward, hugging a paper to her chest. “I made something special today!” She thrust the drawing forward, her face glowing with excitement.
Her artwork showed their whole gang–Irene, the kids, Joseph, Brandon, and definitely Adam, wheelchair and all. Everyone wore
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Chapter 320.
smiles bigger than their faces.
“Look at this–we’ve got a real Picasso in the family, Irene said, tapping Lily’s nose gently. Something in her chest fightened seeing Adam drawn so naturally as part of their circle, no questions asked.
Once dinner was served and forks were busy, Irene cleared her throat I have some news to share with everyone.”
All movement paused. She noticed Adam glance up from his plate, h face unreadable but eyes alert.
“I’ve decided to join the medical center’s research team,” she said, trying to sound casual about it. “I’ll be picking up that nerve project I started overseas before we moved back here.”
Her eyes flickered to Adam, searching his face, for a reaction. Ilis expression stayed calm, but something in his eyes softened just a touch.
Brandon lifted his glass in a toast. “About tinte someone finally noticed the genius in our family! This calls for a celebration.”
“Watch your enthusiasm there,” Joseph warned with a smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “The children will be just fine while you work, Irene. You should grab this opportunity,”
Alex pushed his glasses up with one finger. “Does this mean you’ll invent something even cooler than what you use to help Uncle
Adam?”
“That’s the idea, buddy.” Irene reached over to mess up his hair affectionately. “Something that might help people like Brandon get moving again faster.”
Lucas grinned across the table at Lily. “Mom’s going to end up famous for her medical stuff!”
The house grew quiet as night settled in comfortably. In the study, firelight painted the walls in warm hues while Adam scrolled through work documents and Irene flipped through a science magazine. Only the occasional page turns and fire pops broke the cozy
silence.
Adam’s gaze kept wandering from his screen to Irene–the way her forehead crinkled when she concentrated on something interesting, how she absently tucked her hair behind her ear every few minutes.
Irene knelt beside him, setting up treatment equipment with practiced hands. “You were pretty quiet at dinner,” she observed without looking up. “When I mentioned taking the research position
“Was I?” Adam locked his tablet and set it aside, giving her his full attention.
She glanced up, meeting his eyes. “Are you worried I might be taking on too much right now? Or something else?”
“What else would there be?” he asked, watching her fingers work with the equipment.
“I don’t know exactly. Maybe you’re not thrilled about me working with Matthew on this project?
Adam’s mouth quirked up slightly at one corner. “Irene, you’re honestly the smartest person I know. If anyone can make breakthroughs in this field, it’s definitely you.” His voice turned genuinely supportive. “Whatever you choose to do, I’m in your corner. Always.”
“You really mean that?” Her hands paused momentarily on the equipment.
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