The physician knelt beside Hazel, his practiced hands carefully examining the contours of her swollen foot. His fingers traced the tender skin around her ankle with a feather-light touch, assessing the injury with silent concentration. Hazel winced when he pressed just below the bone, drawing in a sharp breath.
"You'll need to bear with me for a moment," he said gently, offering a reassuring smile. "I promise it'll be over before you know it."
Before she could fully prepare herself, he tightened his grip around her foot and gave a swift, precise tug. A jolt of pain flashed through her leg, sharp and sudden—but just as quickly, it vanished. The tight knot of tension that had bound her nerves released in an instant, like a string being cut.
"Try moving your foot now, Miss Hazel," the physician prompted, his eyes closely watching her reaction.
Hazel hesitated for a heartbeat, then cautiously flexed her toes. Her eyes widened.
