Roman began applying the medicine on her back, tracing each welt with gentle, calculated strokes to avoid hurting her further.
"Hmm…" Patricia winced when the ointment touched the most painful spots, a strained sound slipping from her throat. But almost immediately, a soothing relief followed as Roman leaned in and blew softly against the raw skin. His warm breath against her back made the pain tolerable, almost bearable, and without realizing it, a faint smile tugged at her lips. She felt a flicker of comfort, grateful for the treatment.
Not even doctors at the hospital treated patients like this. She was getting VVIP care, tender, deliberate, and quietly reassuring.
"You will be given sleeping pills to help with the pain," Roman said, his voice low and steady. "And once you wake up, you will be bathed with warm water."
