It was a pretty, white medicine box.


    He carried it downstairs, his stomach churning violently. Ever since Natalie started looking after him, he hadn''t felt this kind of pain. She had only been gone for four months, and his body was already rebelling.


    When Sebastian returned to the living room, Sean ced a container of takeout soup in front of him.


    "Sir, you should have some soup before you take the medicine. You always used to eat something first when your stomach acted up, otherwise the pills wouldn''t work as well. This soup is really good. I remember Ms. Sanders bought it once because you liked it. After that, she learned to replicate the vor and would often make it for you."


    The pain in Sebastian''s stomach was intense, and Sean''s rambling only magnified every kind thing Natalie had ever done for him. His face grew even paler, his porcin-like skin stretched taut over his sharp, handsome features. His dark, deep-set eyes were clouded with pain. He lowered his head, picked up the spoon, and began to eat in small, slow sips. Natalie''s was better.


    Even with the warm soup in his stomach, the churning agony persisted.


    Sean noticed he''d stopped eating and gently prodded, "Sir, Ms. Sanders always said you have to finish it all for the medicine to work properly."


    Sebastian''s sharp, narrow eyes flickered up at him for a moment.


    Sean just smiled, offering a look of encouragement.


    Silently, Sebastian lowered his head and continued to eat.


    So obedient! Sean thought to himself.


    After he finished, Sebastian opened the medicine box. Taped to the inside of the lid was a small note.


    ~I hope my husband never has to take these again. Stay healthy.~


    Sebastian froze, his breath catching in his throat as he stared at the note. That woman, who once had eyes for no one but him...


    Sean saw it too but said nothing. He could only think that even if Sebastian regretted it all now, Natalie wouldn''t look back.


    Inside, Sebastian found a series of beautiful little ss vials. He picked them up one by one, reading thebels she had written in her elegant, neat script.


    Stomach Medication: Two pills per dose.


    Fever Reducer: One pill per dose.


    Eye Medication: Three pills, three times a day.


    Reading her careful instructions, Sebastian thought of his recent coldness toward Natalie and his indulgence of Joanna. He deserved this. It was his own damn fault.


    He swallowed two of the stomach pills and carried the medicine box upstairs.


    Sean watched his lonely figure retreat and shook his head slightly. When Natalie blocked someone, she did a thorough job. The number he''d used earlier was now, predictably, blocked as well.


    He didn''t dare leave for the night. There was a small guesthouse out back where


    he could stay, just in case Sebastian''s condition worsened and he needed


    someone.


    Back in his room, Sebastian ced


    let


    the medicine box on a table and sank into a plush, cream colored. armchair. He leaned back his posture rxed and still, but his cool eyes grew deeper, churning with an indecipherable storm of emotions.


    As soon as Nathan got home, he brought Wendy her restorative drink. An assistant had been delivering it for her while she was away on her business trip. Wendy was lying back with a face mask on, but she followed the same routine.


    Before Nathan could speak, she smiled. "Nathan, you''re so thoughtful, making this for me the moment I get back. I''m exhausted from the trip. Bring it here, I''ll drink it as soon as I take this mask off. have to say, this tonic you''ve been giving me has really boosted my energy."


    Hearing this, Nathan''s smile was warm, his voice a little hoarse. "Darling, you work so hard for thepany every day. It''s my duty to take care of you. I''m going to go wash up. Don''t forget to drink it, okay?"