Scarlett sat stiffly, leaning against the cold floor and wall. Thankfully, it was nearly summer, and the room''s air conditioner wasn''t on, so she didn''t feel cold.


    What bothered her more was the sight of Xavier''s leg, which was still bleeding heavily. She frowned slightly.


    "Mr. Stroud, how about lying on the bed?"


    If she could coax him to sleep, she could then treat his wounds properly. The bathroom really wasn''t the best ce for this. But to her surprise, Xavier suddenly turned his head toward her, eyes burning intensely.f


    "Will you lie down with me?"


    "Huh?" Scarlett was caught off guard. "I... I don''t think that''s appropriate..."


    The moment the words left her mouth, his expression immediately turned into pure disappointment, like a child who had just been refused candy. Something about that look tugged at her heart. In his current mental state, he really seemed like a lost child.


    She didn''t know what kind of childhood he''d had, but it was clear that hecked a deep sense of security. He was terrified of being left alone. She couldn''t help but reach out and gently pat his shoulder like one would to soothe a child to sleep.


    "Don''t be afraid. I''ll stay by your side. I won''t let anyone bully you or hurt you. I''ll wait with you until you''re all better."


    She noticed his eyelids drooping a little. He looked sleepy, but he couldn''t seem to fall asleep. His whole body was restless, and his breathing had grown a little heavy.


    So, she softly suggested again, "Let''s go to bed, okay? I''ll lie down with you."


    "... Mm." Xavier grabbed her wrist tightly, almost fearfully, as if worried she''d go back on her word.


    Scarlett sighed. For now, she could only treat him like a scared child. One of her hands was held in his iron grip, while the other helped support him as they walked to the bed.


    Xavier was tall. He stood a whole head taller than her. As she looked down to guide their steps, she heard a low grunt above her.


    She immediately shifted from simply helping him walk to wrapping an arm around his waist, allowing him to lean on her and lessen the strain. "Walk slowly. There''s no rush. Where does it hurt?"


    His voice was hoarse and slightly pitiful. "My thigh... and ribs. Everything hurts." "It''s okay. Lean on me. Once we lie down, it won''t hurt as much."


    Step by step, they slowly made their way out of the bathroom and to the hospital bed. By the time they got there, both of them were drenched in sweat-Scarlett from sheer effort, Xavier from the pain.


    She recalled how earlier he''d strode out and forced everyone to leave as if nothing was wrong. He probably hadn''t been fully lucid then and hadn''t even felt the pain. Which meant his body might''ve suffered more damage without him realizing it.


    Carefully, she helped him lie down, then turned to shift her kit to the front, ready to take out her acupuncture needles. But before she could, Xavier suddenly gripped her wrist again and yanked her toward him.  ?wnovel


    She gasped in surprise, stumbling straight onto his chest and looking up at him. His devastatingly handsome face was now up close. Those deep, swirling eyes had a pull like gravity, making her heartbeat spiral out of control.


    "You''re not allowed to leave." He said it with pure, possessive dominance.


    Scarlett stared at him in a daze for a few seconds. She then came back to her senses and tried to sit up, but he still wouldn''t let go.


    His grip on her wrist didn''t loosen for a second, so she gave up, nestling helplessly beside him. She lifted her free hand and gently patted his chest.


    "I won''t go. I''m staying right here with you. Just close your eyes and rest. You''ll feel better after a nap."


    "Sleep now, just sleep. I''ll be right here the whole time... even after you fall asleep."