?<strong>Chapter 366:</strong>


    Afterward, she felt dizzy. As she stood up, her legs shook weakly. He chuckled, “I’ll sign you up for a gym membership. You need to exercise more to improve your stamina. You are so weak.”


    Carrie noticed that his cheeks now held a healthy flush. Gone was the pallor of his hospital stay; he looked robust, nothing like a man who had recently brushed against death. She eyed him skeptically. “Were you really that badly hurt?”


    Kristopher leaned back against the headboard with a sigh. “It turns out I am quite sick. I’m already exhausted after just a short while.”


    He nced at Carrie and added, “My main artery was nearly cut through. I was on the verge of dying. Do you understand the gravity of severing an artery? It’s amon way for someone tomit suicide.”


    Carrie paused, her biology knowledge limited, and asked with a frown, “Is there a major artery in the—”


    Kristopher exined earnestly, “Yes, the axiry artery. It extends from the subvian artery, runs through the armpit, and along the lower edge of thetissimus dorsi muscle, bing the brachial artery.”


    He continued, “Even if you’re a literature student, you should still know a bit of basic biology, shouldn’t you? How can you not know this?”


    Carrie pouted and said, “That was years ago. Who remembers all that?” Her body ached, and she was in no mood to argue further with Kristopher. His use of detailed medical terminology made it unlikely that he was fabricating the story. “I’m going to take a shower first. Stay here, and I’ll help you clean up afterward. Remember, your wound can’t get wet, so no bathing.” As she started moving toward the bathroom, Kristopher’s phone began to ring. Seeing that she was closer, he quickly interjected, “Don’t move, I’ll answer it.” She limped over and reached for the phone, then hesitated. The caller ID disyed Lise’s name. Suddenly, she remembered the unresolved issues surrounding their decision not to divorce today. If Lise wasn’t addressed, their marriage couldn’t proceed. Her love was selfish and couldn’t amodate a third person.


    Carrie pouted and said, “That was years ago. Who remembers all that?” Her body was sore, and she was in no mood to debate further with Kristopher. His use of detailed medical terminology made it seem unlikely that he was making things up.


    “I’m going to take a shower first. Stay here, and I’ll help you clean up afterward. Remember, your wound can’t get wet, so no bathing.”


    As she began heading to the bathroom, Kristopher’s phone started to ring. Seeing that she was closer, she quickly interjected, “Don’t move, I’ll answer it.” She limped over to pick up the phone, then hesitated. The caller ID disyed Lise’s name. She suddenly remembered the unresolved issues regarding their decision not to divorce today. If Lise wasn’t addressed, their marriage couldn’t move forward. Her love was selfish and couldn’t amodate a third person.


    The incessant ringing of the phone drew a yful arch of Kristopher’s eyebrow as he teased, “What’s wrong? Your legs are too weak to carry you now?” His smile was uncharacteristic, a rare departure from his typically reserved nature. Carrie, on the other hand, was not in the mood for jokes; her features slowly hardened. As Kristopher caught the chill in her re, recognition dawned on him—he knew exactly who was on the other end of that call. His teasing grin faded, reced by concern as he softly uttered, “Carrie…” Compelled by his tone, Carrie set aside her reservations and approached the bedside, phone in hand. With a sereneposure, unlike her usual fiery self, she extended the phone toward him. There was no bite in her voice, no spark of argument, only a tranquil stare. Kristopher locked eyes with her for a brief moment, on the verge of refusing the call, but the words lodged in his throat. An internal voice, anxious for Lise, nudged him forward. He epted the phone with a reluctant hand and swiped to answer. “What’s going on, Lise?” His tone naturally softened, imbued with a gentle patience exclusively reserved for her. Regardless of the circumstances, his demeanor remained tender and patient. Meanwhile, a wave of jealousy washed over Carrie, her heart tightening as she acknowledged her envy—and yes, jealousy—towards Lise. Despite Kristopher’s recent infatuation for Carrie, Lise’s very presence seemed to diminish her sense of worth. “You’ve been swamped with worktely, and we haven’t even shared a meal together. Once this film project is over, could we maybe visit Izrosa?” Lise’s voice, yful and sweet, carried clearly through the phone in the otherwise silent room.


    The incessant ringing of the phone drew a yful arch of Kristopher’s eyebrow as he teased, “What’s wrong? Are your legs too weak to carry you now?” His smile was uncharacteristic, a rare departure from his typically reserved nature.


    Carrie, on the other hand, was not in the mood for jokes, her features slowly hardening. As Kristopher caught the chill in her re, recognition dawned on him—he knew exactly who was on the other end of that call. His teasing grin faded, reced by concern as he softly said, “Carrie…”


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