Christopher's breathing gradually became steady. With Ethan's words and gentle touch, his once tense body began to relax. The uncontrollable fear that had filled his face was replaced by a sense of almost liberating calmness. It was as if, under Ethan's guidance and rational analysis, the fears and illusions that had tormented him and made him lose control were slowly being purified from his heart.
Christopher took a deep breath, slowly opened his eyes, and his gaze held a hint of gratitude and emotion as he softly said, "Dr. Ethan... really, thank you... I feel so much lighter... as if those fears are no longer so heavy..."
Though his voice was faint, the gratitude within it was genuine and profound, as if the invisible burden had finally been released. Tears welled in his eyes, but this time not from fear; instead, he felt a true sense of safety.
Ethan smiled slightly, his tone still gentle and rational. "It's nothing, just a small matter. You've done very well; being able to open up and express yourself is the most important first step." He paused briefly before continuing to explain, "Next, I will prescribe some medications to help relieve your psychological stress. These will help reduce your inner anxiety and allow you to focus more easily on facing reality."
He nodded slightly, making his tone more comforting. "There are also some medications to help you sleep, ensuring that both your body and mind get adequate rest. You've been too tense lately, and lack of sleep can worsen this situation, so it's essential to rest well during this time."
Christopher nodded, his eyes full of trust, as if every word from Ethan was a rope pulling him firmly out of the abyss.
"Remember to take your medication on time," Ethan said with a serious yet caring tone, reminding Christopher that this was a path toward recovery. "The medication will help stabilize your emotions and allow you to see results more quickly during the therapy process. You just need to believe in this process and trust that you will heal; this is only a temporary predicament. I believe you will soon find your normal life again."
Christopher sniffed lightly, the gratitude in his eyes deepening further. He spoke again in a hoarse voice, "I will, Dr. Ethan... truly, thank you. You saved me..."
Ethan smiled and nodded, handling everything naturally and calmly. "You will be okay, Christopher."
Christopher quietly stood up, still showing a hint of fatigue on his face, but the eyes that had once been filled with fear now appeared much calmer. He took a deep breath, nodded at Ethan, softly said "thank you," and then quietly left the consultation room. The door closed gently behind him, restoring tranquility to the room.
Ethan watched Christopher's figure disappear outside the door, wearing a serene smile. The moment the door closed, his thoughts had already detached from the strange story they had just shared. His work experience had long immunized him against various bizarre tales and patients' painful experiences. Although Christopher's situation was indeed tricky, for Ethan it was merely part of his daily routine. These stories and pains no longer shook his inner peace nor affected his personal life.
Ethan stood up and casually organized the documents and notes on his desk. He quickly filed away medical records and information before starting to pack up his things. His movements were skilled and orderly; meanwhile, he began to look forward to tonight's wedding anniversary dinner. Thinking about the warm moments he would share with his wife Sofia made him feel relaxed and cheerful. The recent consultation seemed like just a brief interlude that left no emotional trace behind.
Ethan gathered all his belongings, neatly placing the documents and laptop into his briefcase before fastening it shut with a swift motion. He stood up, straightened his suit slightly, and checked to ensure he looked presentable and energetic. Imagining the smile on Sofia's face when she saw him made the corners of his mouth lift involuntarily.
He picked up the briefcase, casually slinging it over his shoulder, feeling an undeniable lightness in his mood. He took one last glance at the examination room to ensure everything was in order before striding toward the door, ready to meet his wife at the restaurant. It was going to be a wonderful evening, and he looked forward to sharing those sweet moments that belonged solely to them, completely unaffected by the strange stories he had just encountered.
Ethan walked briskly out of the examination room and headed toward the front desk, eager to leave and celebrate their wedding anniversary with Sofia. However, as he approached the front desk, Becky suddenly popped up from behind it, blocking his path. She held a bouquet of bright red roses in her hands, a teasing smile plastered across her face.
"Dr. Ethan," Becky elongated her tone playfully, laced with mockery, "you're off to see your lovely wife, yet you still need us outsiders to prepare your anniversary flowers? Honestly, I wonder how you'd manage without us hardworking nurses."
Seeing this, Ethan couldn't help but chuckle, a hint of helplessness mixed with a warm familiarity in his expression. "Hey, Becky, don’t say that! You guys are my most reliable support team! Without you all, I’d be lost on the streets by now." He joked lightly, his tone filled with ease and gratitude.
Becky scoffed and pushed the bouquet toward him, pretending to be serious as she said, "Looks like our nurses not only have to heal people but also save you from being utterly clueless about romance. Seriously, Ethan, you owe us all a big thank you; otherwise, Sofia might just kick you out tonight."
Ethan smiled gently as he accepted the vibrant roses, waving them lightly in response. "Alright, alright! Thank you for saving me. I definitely don’t want to sleep on the couch tonight." He raised an eyebrow with a mischievous grin and winked at Becky. "But really, Becky, you guys are my lifesavers."
Becky huffed dismissively but couldn’t hide her playful smirk as she teased Ethan further. "Remember, Ethan, if those roses work tonight, you owe us coffee."
"Deal," Ethan replied cheerfully while waving the bouquet as if saluting them. "Coffee’s on me tomorrow!" With that said, he nodded at her with a smile before turning toward the exit, feeling elated and completely unfazed by the earlier work and patients as he prepared for a romantic and beautiful evening.
Ethan walked into the parking lot holding the bouquet of red roses with a smile still lingering on his lips. He opened the car door effortlessly and carefully placed the bouquet on the passenger seat; the petals swayed gently as if preparing for the upcoming romantic moment. He settled into the driver’s seat and reached for the ignition switch; accompanied by the familiar sound of the engine starting up smoothly.
His hand instinctively rested on the gear shift as he prepared to reverse. He adjusted the rearview mirror slightly before getting ready to pull out of the small parking lot. However, just as his gaze shifted back to the mirror, an eerie face suddenly appeared within its reflection.
It was a pale, distorted face with cold eyes and an unsettling smile—like a ghostly mask floating in the rearview mirror. Ethan's heart raced violently; he felt as if he had been electrocuted and immediately turned around to see where that face had come from.
But when he suddenly turned his head to look back at the rear seat, the car was empty, with only the quietly placed seats and the silence within. The air seemed to carry a suffocating stillness, as if time had frozen for a moment. His gaze swept back and forth across the back seat, trying to find any trace of that face he had just seen, but there was nothing—no signs of anything unusual.
Ethan's breath quickened slightly, cold sweat instantly beading on his forehead. He slowly turned back to face the rearview mirror—this time, it reflected only his own face. His expression was tense, beads of cold sweat glistening on his brow, and his eyebrows knitted together as if the fear from that brief moment had not completely faded.
He stared at himself in the rearview mirror, trying to piece together what had just happened. That face… did it really exist? Or was it merely an illusion brought on by Christopher's story? He took a deep breath, attempting to calm his racing heart.
"Stay calm, Ethan… it’s just a fatigue-induced hallucination," he told himself in his mind, loosening his grip on the steering wheel slightly. Yet for some reason, the image of that face lingered in his mind like an unshakeable shadow.
Ethan shook his head, pulling his thoughts away from the bizarre sight he had just witnessed. He adjusted the rearview mirror again to ensure everything was normal. Then he took a deep breath, forcing himself to regain his composure as he slowly put the car in reverse, preparing to leave for the long-awaited anniversary dinner.
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