The bleeding had stopped, and Norris Moore was finally able to relax. The woman put everything back into the medicine box and said to Norris, "I don't have any life-saving items here. If you want him to recover quickly, it's best to take him to a hospital in the city. Otherwise, the fever and infection could still claim his life."
Her tone was ice-cold, her expression and eyes devoid of any fluctuation, as if she were stating an established fact.
Norris Moore whispered his thanks and watched the woman enter the kitchen. Then she turned around, walked to the bedside, and gently clasped his hand that hung over the edge of the bed.
He was still unconscious.
Even the removal of the bullet had not awakened him.
Norris Moore watched him for a while, then lowered her head to press her forehead against his cool hand, silently trembling as she began to sob.
It was enough; she had let go.