Abel fed Emmeline a tart and some warm water.
She felt a lot better, but her body was still really sore.
Abel could not bear to abuse her anymore. He had to suppress his urges instead.
He carried his wife back to the bed, and they fell asleep hugging each other.
The next morning, Yvonne made some chicken soup for Benjamin to bring to Janie.
Benjamin poured some of the soup from the flask into a bowl, then carefully fed her with a spoon.
Janie's heart thumped wildly when she gazed at his handsome face with sculpted features.
His extraordinary appearance was what made her fall in love with him in the first place.
His face was so close to hers, and she could not help but be excited.
Benjamin noticed that Janie was staring at him. "Why? Does the soup taste bad?"
Janie's pale face blushed. "It's good. Yvonne is a good cook."
She actually wanted to say that she cherished the moments when Benjamin fed her soup.
"You should eat more. You lost a lot of blood," Benjamin said while putting the spoon next to her mouth.
"Um… I haven't asked you about this. Are you angry that I stopped you?" Janie asked.
Benjamin pressed his lips together. "Back then, I was angry, of course, but I'm more worried about you now. I'm lucky that things didn't turn out as expected, and Abel appeared in the nick of time. I wouldn't know how to help Emma otherwise."
Janie breathed a sigh of relief. "Phew, that was close. I thought you'd hate me forever."
"Don't say that. You hurt yourself because of me, and I'm grateful for that," Benjamin said.
"You don't have to be grateful. If you destroyed your face for Emma, I don't think you'd want her to feel indebted to you, right?" Janie said.
Benjamin was at a loss for a reply.
"You also don't want her to know that this happened," Janie said hoarsely. "I think the same too."
"Mm." Benjamin nodded.
"Don't worry. I don't want you to think that you're indebted to me somehow. After I'm discharged, I'll leave Struyria."
Benjamin stared her in the eye. "What did you say?"
Janie smiled. "I think that's the best option. I want to start anew."
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