Chapter 6 The Remedy For His Insomnia

On the following morning in the medical room of the Hughes family's ancestral home, Doctor Darian Jenkins had just completed a check-up on Waylon. "Waylon, these sleeping pills aren't a long-term fix. Let's think about other solutions."

Darian, who had grown up with Waylon, knew all too well the extent of Waylon's health troubles.

Ever since that incident six years ago, Waylon had been suffering from insomnia, which had worsened over the past two years.

Being an internationally acclaimed psychologist, Darian had tried numerous treatment strategies with his colleagues, yet none had succeeded.

Consequently, Waylon felt compelled to use sleeping pills every night.

Gradually, his health was declining; he was emotionally unstable, and his liver and kidney functions were deteriorating.

It seemed only a matter of time before his body would fail entirely.

"The night before last, I didn't take them and I managed to sleep well," Waylon said, showing little emotion.

This revelation brightened Darian's expression. "Has your insomnia been resolved?"

Waylon's eyes flickered slightly. "Last night, I took them, but they were not effective."

Darian's concern returned as he adjusted his glasses. "Did anything unusual happen to you the day before yesterday, or did you meet someone new?"

The image of Gracie floated into Waylon's thoughts. "Yes, a woman."

A woman? Waylon usually showed no interest in women. Could it be...? Darian stood up, filled with excitement. "Perhaps this woman is the key to your recovery."

Looking into Darian's sincere eyes, Waylon considered whether Gracie might indeed be the remedy for his sleepless nights.

At the same time, Gracie was at the mall, returning the dress she had worn the night before.

At the same boutique, Norene was busy trying on wedding gowns, her best friend Kelsey Myers by her side.

Kelsey, always quick to notice, caught sight of Gracie and called out, "Norene, isn't that Miss Jones over there? Do you think she's here for a wedding dress too?"

Overhearing their mocking tones, Gracie chose to ignore them and approached the counter. "Hi, could you please process a return for this dress?"

The clerk accepted the dress bag and said, "One moment, please. I'll check it and process your refund if everything checks out."

Undeterred by Gracie's dismissal, Kelsey glanced at Norene and sneered, "Looks like she's too broke to buy a dress. No surprise she acts like she doesn't know us!"

Gracie casually scratched her ear. "What's that annoying noise?"

"Annoying noise? You're unbelievable, Gracie!"

Norene tugged at Kelsey's arm, signaling Kelsey not to argue with Gracie. "Kelsey, remember, she was once married to Lorenzo. It must be hard for her to see me in these dresses."

Gracie didn't even bother looking at Norene.

She had no time for people who thrived on causing drama.

Kelsey scoffed, "She was just filling in the spot. She only ever held the 'Mrs. Hughes' title because she looks a bit like you. Now that everything's set right, she has no grounds to feel jealous. Norene, you're too nice sometimes. Watch out for ungrateful ones like her; they might backstab you."

Nice? Ungrateful? At this, Gracie let out a cold chuckle. "Norene, since you're so nice, perhaps you'd consider giving back the heart that was supposed to be my daughter's?"

Norene's face changed. "That heart saved my son. Are you asking me to endanger his life for someone who's no longer here?"

As Gracie looked down, a flash of hatred crossed her eyes and a bitter taste filled her mouth. "So, you and Lorenzo knew all along?"