Chapter 76
“No,” Professor Penn muttered to himself, peering at the test results through his silver–rimmed reading glasses. “No sexual activity, and yet such a severe pelvic infection? And you’ve got adenomyosis, too. That kind of condition causes nasty cramps and can even lead to infertility.” “Infertility?” Katrina, standing nearby, blurted out in shock. “Doctor, is there a treatment for that?”
Ivy, on the other hand, barely reacted.
She’d long since lost faith in men and family, and never planned on marriage or children.
“Infertility doesn’t bother me. No need for treatment.” Ivy replied matter–of–factly.
Professor Penn frowned. “Even if you aren’t planning on kids, you still need treatment. You can’t just live with this kind of pain every month, can you?”
Ivy shook her head quickly.
He sighed, a touch exasperated. “Young lady, you really don’t take your health seriously, do you? How many years do you think you can put up with pain like this…” Professor Penn muttered, half to himself.
Ivy pressed her lips together and kept quiet.
Deep down, she knew exactly what had caused all this.
Three years in captivity, locked away in a filthy shed–starvation and cold were only the start. Hygiene was unheard of, especially during her period. An infection was almost inevitable.
After writing out her prescription, Professor Penn gave her careful instructions. “Come back for a follow–up in a month. Don’t forget. And try to pay extra attention to personal hygiene in the meantime.”
Ivy took the paperwork and stood, polite as ever. “I will. Thank you, Doctor.”
It was well past lunchtime. After thanking him, Ivy hurried out, eager to leave.
But as soon as she looked up, she spotted a familiar figure in the doorway.
Just her luck–Jamison again.
What on earth was he doing here?
Their eyes met. Ivy’s brow furrowed, face cold, making it clear she had no intention of greeting him.
But Katrina, caught off guard, offered a smile. “Dr. Ludwig, what a coincidence!”
Jamison nodded curtly in acknowledgment.
Then, as if Ivy were invisible, he walked right past her without so much as a glance. “Ms. Penn,
1/2
15.02
Chapter 76
you’ve worked hard enough for today. I’ve arranged lunch to be sent to your office, so you can eat as soon as you get back.”
Professor Penn stood up, stretching with relief. “Wonderful. That was the last patient. Let’s go.”
Jamison accompanied Professor Penn to the elevators, bumping into Ivy and Katrina, who were still waiting.
Spotting Ivy, Professor Penn couldn’t help but add, “Oh, and one more thing, young lady. If you get the chance, you should consider finding a boyfriend–it can sometimes help with cramps. But make sure he keeps up with hygiene, too. Your issues mostly stem from infection, after all.”
ver saw that coming–especially with Jamison standing right there.
flushed a fierce red.
If Professor Penn hadn’t been so elderly and unfailingly kind, she might have snapped, “And how exactly is that your business?”
But as it was, her face burning, she could only stammer, “Got it, thank you, Doctor.”
Just then, the elevator doors slid open. Ivy grabbed Katrina’s arm and hurried inside.
Jamison watched her beat a hasty retreat, a barely–there smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Well, she certainly knew how to pick her doctors.
Out of all the gynecologists in the city, she just happened to end up with Professor Penn.
He remembered Mrs. Smith messaging him on WhatsApp a few days ago for a doctor recommendation. He’d suggested his mentor’s wife. He wondered if she’d managed to make an appointment–or if she’d come in today.
With the thought lingering, he turned to Professor Penn’s wife and asked, “By the way, did you have a young woman see you today for bad cramps? Maybe thirty to thirty–five years old?”
Professor Penn replied, “Most of my appointments are women with complex issues like that. The girl who just left had a terrible case of cramps–were you thinking of her? Is she a friend of yours?”
“No, just someone I know online,” Jamison replied evenly.
212
