Chapter 61
Luna White let out a contented sigh as she finished the steaming plate of dumplings. The warm broth settled in her stomach, spreading comfort through her limbs, right down to her fingertips.
Henry Cooper and his children, Charlie and Hannah, quickly cleared the table and disappeared into the kitchen. Iris White started to follow, but Luna caught her wrist.
"Second Sister, I need to talk to you." Luna's tone was solemn as her gaze swept over Henry and Iris before landing on the hunched figure in the corner.
William Cooper had been carried into the main room, his body rigid with tension. The bright light made him squint, his fingers clutching the edge of his blanket as if he could vanish beneath it.
"Luna, what's this about?" Iris asked, her heart aching for her brother-in-law. For twelve years, she had cared for him like her own son, tending to his needs with unwavering devotion.
Luna took a deep breath, lowering her voice. "Second Sister, I wouldn’t be alive today if not for Mom and Dad."
Iris's hands trembled, and the chopsticks slipped from her grasp, clattering to the floor.
"At the gates of the afterlife, they used all the good karma they'd earned to pull me back from death," Luna whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Before I left, they passed their medical knowledge to me—so I could heal others and do good in this world."
Tears spilled down Iris's cheeks. She remembered how their parents had clung to Luna’s small hands in their final moments, their love unwavering even then.
Henry rubbed his hands together, his eyes reddening. He would never forget the kindness of his in-laws, and now, even in death, they were still watching over their daughter.
William shrank further into his blanket, barely daring to breathe.
"Let me examine William," Luna said suddenly.
The room fell so silent they could have heard a pin drop.
William jerked his head up, then immediately ducked it again. He had seen too many doctors, endured too many dashed hopes.
"Can you really help him?" Henry's voice shook. He didn’t dare dream his brother might walk again—just being able to eat or use the bathroom on his own would be a miracle.
But Iris hesitated. Their father had known some basic remedies, but this…
"I’ll need a set of silver needles," Luna said.
Henry bolted out the door without even grabbing his coat.
"Luna…" Iris bit her lip, uncertain.
Luna leaned close to her sister’s ear. "We can’t tell anyone about this. If people find out I can communicate with the dead, they’ll lock me up for experiments."
Iris paled, as if she could already see her sister strapped to a lab table.
"Tell them you learned from Dad!" Iris blurted. "He did know some medicine—the whole family can vouch for that!"
Warmth flooded Luna’s chest. This was family—already crafting excuses to protect her.
William spoke up timidly. "Sister-in-law, I won’t say a word."
Iris relaxed. She knew her brother-in-law well—once he gave his word, he’d keep it.
Outside, Henry’s footsteps grew louder, carrying not just the needles, but the fragile hope of an entire family.