Chapter 48
Chapter 48:
Brinley snapped, her voice sharp as she slapped Austin’s hand away. “Who’s supposed to take care of you if I walk out p>
Her fingers brushed his skin by accident, catching on the cold sweat slicking the back of his hand, and unease prickled down her spine. “Lie down and stop fighting me p>
“It might be contagious.” Austin’s words dwindled to a husky murmur, his breath shallow. “Stay near me and you’ll probably catch it. You should go p>
Only then did it dawn on Brinley—he wasn’t trying to push her away out of stubbornness, but out of fear that he was carrying something that could infect her.
A laugh escaped her, threaded with both irritation and reluctant fondness, as she pressed his restless arm firmly against the mattress. “Don’t be ridiculous. Contagious, really? Try moving again and I’ll throw you out myself p>
Austin’s eyes flickered open, a brief glint of clarity breaking through the feverish haze.
His gaze lingered on her, turbulent with unspoken emotion, before his lashes drooped again.
With weary surrender, he let his arm fall still and finally closed his eyes.
𝖳r𝖾𝗻𝗱𝘪𝘯𝗴 𝗻ovеl𝗌 о𝗻.сo𝗺
Brinley released a shaky breath of relief and kept tending to him, her hands moving with steadier rhythm as she wiped his clammy skin.
Austin’s awareness wavered, caught between fog and fleeting clarity. Each time his heavy eyelids lifted, the blurred outline of Brinley working tirelessly by his side filled his vision.
The sight stirred a quiet warmth in his chest, like a subtle current.
A fleeting smile touched his mouth before exhaustion pulled him under again.
Miguel soon arrived, the private doctor close behind. This was the sight that greeted them in the doorway: Brinley moving briskly around the bedside while Austin lay sprawled on the sheets, his fever patch slipping askew, the furrow in his brow softened into rare ease.
“Mrs. Moore,” Miguel called as he strode forward, ushering the doctor in.
Startled, Brinley sprang upright, nerves tightening her voice. “Doctor—you’re here! Please, check him right away p>
The doctor examined Austin quickly before delivering his diagnosis. “Acute gastric bleeding, accompanied by a high fever. He needs to be transferred to the hospital at once p>
Brinley’s chest tightened, her pulse tripping over itself at the doctor’s words.
Her disastrous meals were undoubtedly the cause of Austin’s acute gastric bleeding.
At the Moore Group’s private hospital, the VIP suite carried the same sterile chill as the minimalist design of Austin’s bedroom.
Brinley sat rigidly in a chair beside the bed, her gaze fixed on the nurse as she inserted an IV into Austin’s arm. The clear liquid dripping into his veins only tightened the knot of worry in her chest.
When Austin finally stirred awake, she leaned forward, her voice sharp with equal parts fear and frustration. “The doctor said it’s from eating terrible food and drinking alcohol. No wonder your stomach rebelled p>
Her eyes narrowed as she scolded him. “Austin, you’re a grown man. Shouldn’t you know how to take care of yourself? Must you push yourself until you end up like this? What now—are you going to blame this on me p>
Austin’s voice carried a teasing edge. “I’m definitely putting the blame on you,” he murmured, lying on his side, his eyes fixed on her.
Though his complexion was still drained of color, the gleam in his gaze burned with startling brightness.
Brinley’s chest jolted. Heat rushed to her face, and she turned away as if his words had scorched her. “I’m telling you now—don’t even think about it p>
A low chuckle escaped him, but it tugged at his stomach, making him wince and groan.
Her head snapped back instantly, brows furrowing. “Stop laughing. Do you even remember you’re supposed to be resting p>