Chapter 107

Chapter 107 Chapter 107 Hailey woke in a hospital bed, an IV drip attached to her arm. Outside, darknew had fallen completely. As the moved ber finger, it brushed against something soft, which was Raphael’s head. He was slumped beside her with a thin blanket braged over his shoulders.

Her head felt heavy, and her throat was too dry to make a sound. Licking her cracked lips, the pushed herself while The movement jostled Raphael awake. His hair was tousled, his face pale with fatigue, and his eyes were fainty Booble Disoriented for a moment, he recovered his consciousness quickly and asked, “How do you feel now?

“Water,” Hailey croaked.

Raphael fetched a paper cup and filled it. She drank it in one gulp greedily, the cool liquid soothing the flames in her forva Yet her nose remained stuffy, her thoughts sluggish as if wading through fog “I told you you had a fever,” Raphael chided, his tone sharp. “It’s a really high temperature, plus low blood wys. You passet out.

Is this how you’re taking care of yourself?”

“Low blood sugar?” She blinked, confused.

“This is the second time you’ve fainted from low blood sugar around me,” he said, crossing his arms. “Your health is a mem Do you even eat proper meals, or just snack all day?”

Hailey forced a laugh. “I have a healthy diet.”

Raphael’s skeptical look said it all. “Nothing matters more than health. From tomorrow onwards, I will supervise your meals. This isn’t optional.”

“That’s unnecessary,” she protested. “Today was just bad luck. It’s because of the rain, and the air was too cold”

His expression hardened. “No, I live right below you. This is also my duty as a doctor. If I ignore this, that would be my mistake.

Just wait for me to knock on your door at mealtimes.” A pause, then a compromise. “If it bothers you, let me buy the food, and you can cover the grocery bills. Deal?”

Hailey propped her chin on her hand, considering. “You can cook?”

“Obviously. And I’m excellent at it.” He nodded confidently.

After a long silence, she relented. “Fine. I’ll transfer money to you every month.”

Raphael’s sternness melted into a smile. “Hungry now? Should I grab you something to eat now?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m not hungry at all. I’m fine alone here. It’s time for you to go home and have a break.*

“Too late for that. Your IV isn’t finished, and someone needs to stay here. You’ll sleep and I’ll stay to watch it for you.” He waved his hand.

Guilt prickled at her. It was impolite for her to sleep while he kept his eyes wide open at night due to her sickness. With only one bottle of medication left, she opted for conversation instead. “How is your job going?”

He nodded. “Confirmed. I start before the end of the month.”

Hailey smirked. “What a handsome doctor. You’ll never lack patience.”

Raphael chuckled and changed the topic. “Your SATs are next year, right?”

She nodded. “Yeah.”

A 1/3 14:37 Fri, 4 Apr N.

Chapter 107 sa “Focus on study,” he sighed, ruffling her hair. “Little kid”

Her nose wrinkled. “Hey, I’m not a kid. Don’t call me that?

He just smiled wider but said nothing.

Hailey studied Raphael carefully, his crisp white shirt, the effortless grace that made him look like some storybook prince. She couldn’t resist probing, “Raphael, are you always this kind to everyone? We’ve only met twice, yet here you are, playing nurse.”

She smirked. “I might misunderstand something”

He raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“That you might be into me.”

A knowing smile curved his lips. He recognized her probing tone. She always armored herself with barbs to shield the softness beneath. If he admitted it now, she would bolt like a startled deer, “I’m a doctor. Ever heard of medical compassion?” he replied mildly.

Hailey burst out laughing. “Guess 1 flattered myself.”

Raphael neither confirmed nor denied it.

Their banter carried them through the last IV bag. When the drip finished, Raphael removed the needle, pressing gauze to her skin until the bleeding stopped. She hurried to the bathroom the moment she was free.

Too much sleep had left her restless, and she was even in high spirits. Raphael handed her another cup of water and watched as she swallowed the pills. Wrapped in her coat, she leaned against the windowsill, letting the cold air sting her cheeks.

The city glittered below, a tapestry of lights. “All those homes with lights,” she murmured, nose turning pink from the chill, “and not a single one is for me.”

Raphael joined her, replacing the empty cup in her hands with a warm one. “There will always be someone leaving a light on for you.”

She took a sip, the heat seeping into her fingers. The loneliness lingered, but it felt lighter somehow. Maybe because tonight, even sick and adrift, she wasn’t alone. At least there was someone by her side at this moment.

“By the way,” Raphael said casually, “I saw your ex earlier.”

Hailey stiffened. “You mean Owen?”

He said, “Yeah, near the nurses‘ station when I fetched water. Want to check if he is still there?”

‘Why would Owen be at the hospital?‘ Her thoughts were scattered. ‘His chronic stomach problem again?‘

Raphael caught the upset in her expression, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face before he added, “He might still be around.”

Hailey looked at him. “Where exactly?”

“Nurses‘ station.”

“Thanks.” She set down the cup on the table and grabbed her phone. “I need to go out. Just have a break if you want to. Don’t wait for me.”

The door clicked shut behind her. Raphael exhaled, staring at the spot where she had stood.

The corridor stretched empty, but there was no sight of the man she desired.

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Chapter 107 She waited at the nurses‘ station for a while, but there was still no one coming around. She took out a photo of Owen from her phone. Just as she was about to ask the nurse on duty, the door of a ward opposite the nurses‘ station suddenly opened.

Owen stepped out, but Alice was close behind. Dressed in a hospital gown, she looked pallid but radiant, her gaze fixed on Owen with unmistakable warmth. They stood framed in the doorway, like two halves of a perfect whole.

AD