Noreen saw the drops of blood on the floor as soon as she walked in. She frowned at Seth. “What’s going on?”

The nurse immediately tattled, “He says he’s fine and insists on being discharged.”

Seeing Seth avoid her gaze, Noreen had a good idea of what was happening. She turned to the nurse. “I’ll handle this. Thank you.”

The nurse, clearly relieved to be rid of the trouble, quickly left the room. Once they were alone, Seth mumbled, “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine.”

His irresponsible words ignited Noreen’s anger. The doctors had worked to save him for three hours last night. She could still vividly picture him covered in blood.

“Seth, can you get a grip? Can you stop playing games with your own life? Why on earth did you charge in like that? Don’t you know you almost died? Can you please have some sense of self-preservation?” Noreen’s temper flared, and she let out all the fear and anger that had been simmering inside her. “Sometimes I just want to crack open your head and see what’s actually inside!”

How could he have been so reckless?

Seth kept his head down, looking like a schoolboy being reprimanded. Noreen’s frustration boiled over. “Say something!” she yelled.

Seth’s lips twitched. After a long moment, he finally spoke. “Noreen.”

“I told you to talk, not to say my name!”

He paused for two seconds. “I’m answering your question from before.”

It took Noreen a moment to understand his meaning. She was left speechless,

unsure whether to be angry or not. In the end, seeing that the puncture mark on his hand was still bleeding, she decided to let it go. She found a cotton swab on the nearby nurse’s cart, walked over to him, and said coolly, “Hand.”

This time, Seth was obedient. He held out his hand and let Noreen

tend to the wound. He ainet

still cool from the outside air

brushed against his palmas she

worked. It felt like something had gently tugged at his heart.

Noreen applied pressure for a while. Once she was sure the bleeding had stopped,

she let go and looked up at him. “There.”

As she looked up, her eyes met his. He had been staring at her, completely

captivated, and she had caught him red-handed. Since he’d been caught, he didn’t

bother looking away, simply holding her gaze.

His stare was so intense that it

vas so

made Noreen feel a little flustered.

At first, she managed to feign composure and ignore it. She washed her hands, pulled the overbed table into place

vel

set

down the seafood porridge and side

dishes she had brought.

“Eat something. The nurse will be back later to restart your IV. You’re a patient. You should act like one and rest properly.” Noreen’s tone was that of a stern teacher.

Seth was suddenly reminded of the nickname Jude had secretly given her: Director Gilmore. A small smile touched his eyes.

Noreen saw it but didn’t know what he was smiling about. “Did you hear me?” she asked, her face still stern.

“I heard you, Director Gilmore.”

*What was that?*

Seth’s mood had improved considerably. He picked up the spoon and took a mouthful of porridge. The familiar taste made him pause. Seafood porridge with the flavor of ginger but no ginger pieces. This was exactly how he liked it.

He looked up at Noreen, trying to suppress the joy rising in his chest. “I can’t believe you still remember what I like.”

After he said that, Noreen was silent for a couple of seconds before replying, “You know I have a good memory.”

Now, it was Seth’s turn to fall silent. The temperature in the room seemed to drop. He didn’t say

another word, just quietly ate his net

portage. Noreen sat necking

at her phone as if she were handling work. But the moment Seth finished eating, she put her phone away and came over to clear the containers and the table.