Chapter 150
Following the lead of the hospital director, Professor Franklin stepped forward to inquire about my symptoms. Without even bothering with a blood draw, he prescribed
medication on the spot and had a nurse fetch it for me to start an IV drip.
As the needle pierced my skin, I instinctively flinched, attempting to pull my hand away. Suddenly, a pair of comforting hands covered my eyes. “Don’t worry. It’s already in,” a voice assured me.
Feeling slightly more at ease, and just as I began to relax, the needle slid into my vein.
With the hands removed, I looked up helplessly at Mark. “Mark, you lied, too?”
“A white lie,” he said with a light chuckle.
After the nurse helped me onto the bed and applied a cold pack to my forehead, the hospital director and his entourage left the room. The cold pack brought instant relief, cooling me down and making me feel much better.
Mark sat beside my bed, gesturing outside with a hesitant and cautious look. “Did I scare you just now?”
“Huh?” I was momentarily puzzled and realized he was referring to when he had snapped at Margaret. I shook my head. “Not scared, just a bit surprised.”
Mark smiled. “Surprised that I could get mad?”
I thought it over. “Not exactly. It’s just that I’m used to seeing you so calm. But we’re not puppets. It’s normal to show anger.”
“Right.” Mark seemed suddenly relaxed, his amber eyes sparkling as a small smile played on his lips. “I used to be passive, but then I realized that wouldn’t help me protect the people I care about.”
“Trying to protect that girl?” I teased.
He shot me a look and smiled. “Yeah, now I am. But that girl protected me when we were kids, always so bright and a bit of a spoiled princess. Initially, the person I wanted to protect was my mom.”
“Mrs. Larson? Who would dare to bully her?” I blurted out without thinking.
Mark’s eyelashes fluttered down, a touch of sadness in his smile. “She should have been,” he murmured.
“What?” I asked.
Mark’s voice was low. And I couldn’t catch his words in my dizzy state.
Suddenly, Christine’s urgent voice broke the silence. “Jane!”
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Chapter 150
The next moment, she burst through the door.
Surprised, I asked, “How did you know I was here?”
After inquiring about my condition thoroughly, Christine eased up and explained, “Stevent told me. He gave me the room number and all, and just told me to get my butt over here quick.”
It was clear Bryant was behind that. Mark accompanied me to the hospital, and Bryant was already worried about us being alone.
His dealings with Margaret were always on his terms, never needing to explain himself to me. That was quite ironic,
After Mark took a work call, he smoothly handed things over to Christine.
Christine was too preoccupied to chat. Instead, she stood at the door with her hands on her hips, fiercely cursing Margaret until she stormed off.
“Finally, she’s gone. What a relief.” Christine then returned, tucking me in. “Get some rest. I’ll keep an eye on the IV.”
I
“Okay.” Whether it was the fever or the medication, I fell into a deep sleep.
Christine woke me up for a light meal in the evening, and then I drifted off again.
It was the best sleep I’d had in a long time. Yet, in the middle of the night, caught between sleep and wakefulness, I thought I heard familiar footsteps.
Then, two warm, dry hands gently wrapped around mine, pressing against my for what seemed like an eternity.
forehead
Cold lips brushed my forehead, nose, and eyes as a husky, choked voice whispered, “I”
sorry. I’m sorry…”
A chill woke me up, and I found myself alone, reaching to touch my face, finding it dar
11:50
