Chapter 189
+25 BONUS
Since my parents passed away, I had never complained about the bitterness of medicine again. After all, there was no one left to give me sugar–free candies, and I hadn’t tasted one since.
“It’s really sweet,” Hayden coaxed, lifting the candy to my lips again, almost teasingly.
I finally opened my mouth. But the moment the candy touched my tongue, tears welled up in my eyes, spilling over before I could stop them.
“Why are you crying?” His hand was on my face, gently wiping the tears away
But the more he asked, the more I felt a tightness in my chest, and the harder it was to hold back the flood of emotions. My tears kept falling, faster than Hayden could wipe them.
In the end, he took the cup from my hands and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. “If you hate the medicine that much, we won’t take it.”
He stepped away, and I buried my face in my hands.
After crying for a bit, I felt lighter, like some of the weight on my chest had lifted. The thermometer under my arm beeped, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I glanced at the number: 100.8°F. Yep, definitely a fever.
Right then, Hayden came back with a towel wrapped around something. “We’ll use some ice to bring your fever down. Drink more water too. If it drops, you won’t need the meds,” he said, gently laying me down on the couch.
He placed the ice pack on my forehead, his voice soft. Close your eyes and rest.”
I did, but a few moments later, I heard the flick of a lighter and smelled burning alcohol.
Warmth spread across my palm as Hayden rubbed it, and I flinched, but he spoke quietly, “It’s an old trick to help with the fever.”
I remembered this–my dad used to do it when I was younger–but it always felt a little too hot for comfort.
I stayed still, trusting him as he massaged my left hand, then my right. Just when I thought he was done, his hand moved to my foot.
I jerked it back. “You don’t need to do that.”
“You were bold enough to say you want to undress me, but now you’re scared of me touching your foot?” Hayden teased, catching me off guard.
I wanted to play dead, pretend like I didn’t remember anything. But Hayden knew exactly what I’d said, and there was no way he’d let me forget it.
So, I did the only thing I could–stay quiet. Silence felt like my best defense. I shut my eyes again and let him do whatever he wanted.
His hands worked over the soles of my feet, sending shivers through me. It tickled, but in a way that made me feel safe, like all the warmth I’d lost was slowly coming back.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 189
Something about the way he cared for me today brought me back to when my parents were still around. It felt comforting, but it also made my heart ache. Before I realized it, tears started slipping down my cheeks again.
“Rest. I made some pumpkin soup. You can have it when you wake Hayden murmured, his voice soft
up as he stood up to leave.
“Hayden,” I called quietly, watching him walk away. “Did we know each other before?”
Everything he did today reminded me of my childhood, like he was channeling the care my parents used to show me.
He paused for a second, and I thought he might answer, but whatever he said was too quiet for me to hear.
Sleep started pulling me under, and in my dreams, I saw my parents again. They were holding my hands, coaxing me to take my medicine, giving me sugar–free candies. My dad was rubbing my hands and feet, just like Hayden had.
“Dad, Mom…” I whispered, reaching out for them.
“Kiki, it’s time to eat,” Hayden’s voice cut into my dream.
I didn’t want to wake up. I gripped my parents‘ hands tighter in the dream, pleading. “Don’t leave me. Please don’t leave me…”
“I won’t. I’ll always be here for you,” Hayden’s voice echoed again, pulling me back.
In that moment, I found him so annoying. I just wanted to stay with my parents, but he wouldn’t stop interrupting.
“Hayden, go away!” I yelled, still half–asleep, not realizing I’d said it out loud.
When I finally woke up, I was clutching Hayden’s hand, my fingers tight around his. His eyes locked on mine, and for a second, I saw something I wasn’t expecting–sadness.
