Substitute Marriage With the Illegitimate Son novel Chapter 913

Elizabeth took the coat from his hand. "Thanks," she said with a nod.

"I should be thanking you," Frank replied. "I just noticed all the documents on the table had been tidied up. Was it you who helped me pack things?" He stood still, trying to keep his breath steady.

"I'm sorry. I moved your things without your permission," Elizabeth explained, flustered. "I'm a neat freak; I hate to see things in a mess."

Her cheeks burned with shame.

"I was busy with a surgery today and my table was really messy." "I thought you were a patient who'd snuck into my office without an appointment," Frank said apologetically. "I'm sorry about my attitude."

Frank seemed genuinely remorseful.

"It's okay," Elizabeth assured him. "I'm not looking for treatment anyway; I'm afraid of what the doctors might say. I've seen several doctors and they've all given me the same diagnosis. I was afraid it would be more of the same this time."

Elizabeth finished speaking and prepared to leave. When she was about to put on her coat, she paused. There was a dirty black handprint where Frank had touched it.

Frank looked down at his hands. They appeared to be stained with machine oil.

"Well..." he said awkwardly, not knowing where to look. "My hands must have gotten stained while I was helping Wade pick up his tools just now. He should have cleaned his toolbox!"

Elizabeth was amused by Frank's sheepish expression.

Frank cleared his throat and took back Elizabeth's coat. "I'll have it cleaned and brought back to you," he said.

"Okay," Elizabeth agreed. "I'm not in any hurry to wear it now." She didn't know what else to say to ease the awkwardness.

Pointing at an empty bench not far from where they stood, Frank said, "Let's sit down and have a chat. I've seen your medical records. Most hand troubles are caused by nerve damage, and the chances of a complete recovery are high."

Elizabeth looked doubtful. "But there are patients who never recover, aren't there? Do their hands tremble for the rest of their lives?"