Chapter 86

Dorothea was still half asleep and didn’t even remember the mark on her cheek. Her eyes looked tired as she said quietly, “It’s nothing. My mom slapped me p>

Latham’s frown only deepened. “Did you put anything on it? Why did she hit you?” Dorothea gave a small, self-mocking smile. “Because I told her I wanted to cut ties with her. I guess that pushed her over the edge. Sorry, but I’m not planning to invite her to our wedding p>

She figured Latham cared more about her being Layton’s stepdaughter. Sometimes she almost forgot this marriage was just an agreement between them. If that connection disappeared, she wondered if Latham would even want to go through with it.

“If you think my status isn’t good enough, I get it. I don’t mind if you want to marry someone else. We haven’t had the ceremony yet, and we haven’t even taken the wedding photos p>

“Who said I cared about that?” Latham felt like Dorothea was constantly testing his patience.

But when he saw the red mark on her face, something in his chest tightened. “Did you put on any medicine p>

She paused, then shook her head. “No p>

“Wait here.” Latham turned and left the room.

Dorothea didn’t really understand what was happening, but she did as she was told. She leaned against the door frame, fighting to keep her eyes open, resisting the urge to crawl back into bed.

Not long after, Latham came back carrying a first aid kit. Dorothea’s tea-colored hair spilled over her shoulders, a little messy from sleep. The swelling on her cheek made her look even more delicate.

Latham’s breath caught as he bent down and lifted her up in his arms. The surprise jolted Dorothea fully awake.

“Latham, what are you doing p>

Without answering, he carried her into her bedroom and set her gently on the bed. “Just sit still. I’ll put some medicine on for you p>

Dorothea blinked, a little stunned. Was he actually worried about her?

She glanced down at the top of his head as he rummaged through the kit, searching

for the right ointment. When he looked up, he had a tube of cream in his hand.

He dipped a cotton swab and began to carefully dab at her cheek. As he leaned in his warm breath brushed against her skin, making her want to pull away. Latham’s hand found her waist holding her steady. “Don’t move. Remember, we’re taking wedding photos this weekend. If you don’t treat this, it won’t be healed in time p>

So, it was about the wedding photos. Dorothea finally understood. She sat up straighter and stopped moving away. The space between them suddenly felt charged, their

breaths mingling in the quiet room.

A strange warmth buzzed through her, and she could feel her cheeks growing even hotter.

Latham paused and frowned. “Why are you getting even redder p>

He set the cream aside. “Maybe we should go to the hospital. I’ll carry you p>

“Wait,” Dorothea blurted out, a little too quickly.

If they went to the hospital for something like this, people would definitely laugh. She pointed at the window, I think I’m fine, Can you open the window a bit? Maybe the room’s just stuffy. I just need some fresh air p>

“Are you sure?” Latham still looked doubtful.

But Dorothea nodded, so he gave in.

५

While he packed up the first aid kit, he asked, “So, why did your mom hit you p>

Dorothea gave a small, almost careless smile. “Because I didn’t do what she wanted. I guess, to her, that’s being disobedient p>

She sounded like she was talking about the weather, as if Elise treating her like this was just normal life. But Latham caught the sadness flickering in her eyes.

He took a steadying breath and stood up. “Try to get some rest tonight. Don’t worry about anything else p>