"Got it.
The bodyguard dared not say anything more.
He glanced at Hannah silently and left the room Hannah strode towards Merlin, leaned over, and gently pinched his legs beneath the blanket.
"You!" For years, no one had dared to touch his legs.
Instantly, Merlin's face clouded with nerves and wariness, the abrupt sensation silencing him mid-sentence.
Hannah squatted down, her gaze lifting to meet his.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"What's wrong? If I don't examine your legs, how will I determine your condition?" "Nothing.
" Merlin's features softened into an expression of awkward resignation.
He relaxed slightly and murmured, "Please, continue.
As Hannah's hands explored his calves, the gravity of his condition becapparent. Long periods in a wheelchair without movement could lead to severe muscle atrophy.
The man before her was a sta rk illustration of this, his muscles having withered alarmingly.
His legs appeared as mere covers of skin stretched over bones.
Hannah could visualize the severe atrophy without even lifting the blanket.
A profound silence enveloped the room while she conducted her examination.
Bryson sat quietly aside, careful not to disturb the delicate process.
After a lengthy silence, Merlin's voice broke through, tinged with a mix of hope and despair, "Will my legs ever recover?" Standing up, Hannah faced him squarely.
"I can't guarantee full recovery, but there's a possibility we can improve your condition.
The nerves in your legs are intact.
There might be another way to help you stand.
" She paused, choosing her next words carefully.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"But I must be frank- regaining your ability to walk will demand an extraordinary amount of effort.
It will be painful, and it will be hard.
"1 For the first time, a flicker of something other than defiance sparked in Merlin's eyes.
"As long as there's a chance, I'm willing to endure whatever it takes.
"Okay.
As Hannah turned to leave, a soft om utterance from Merlin Stopped her. N "Did you know that Malvina is dead?" The news made Hannah stop in her tracks in surprise.
Even Bryson turned around, a trace of surprise evident on his features.
Seeing their expressions, Merlin smiled and revealed "seems that revealed you didn't know. T She died on a plane while traveling abroad.