#Chapter 56 – Lingering Doubts

Olivia's POV The familiar hum of Lunera Beauty’s labs was a welcome slice of normalcy after Aiden’s attack. The sharp scent of distilled oils and faint hints of floral blends filled the air, grounding me in a way I hadn’t felt in days. Here, at least, I was in control. Or so I told myself. I leaned over the counter, adjusting the dropper to add another measure of lavender extract to the mixture before me. The formula was coming together, but there was a nagging thought in the back of my mind. You could do so much more with this, Matthew had said. Imagine helping people detect illness before it’s too late. I shook my head, trying to focus. The idea had merit, but it felt like stepping onto a slippery slope. My work had always been about empowerment, not diagnosis. But what was empathy if not an emotional diagnosis? The suggestion lingered. Was I holding back on the idea for logistical reasons? Or was it something about the way Matthew had said it? Before I could se