Christina took two steps backward and responded matter–of–factly, “What nonsense are you talking about? As your sister–in–law, it’s only right for me to look after you. After all, we’re family. We should stick together and look out for each other.”
Yes, that’s right.
It wasn’t as though she harbored any pity or affection for him.
Francis gazed at her delicate face, a dull look swirling in his eyes. “Thank you for your concern, my dear sister–in–law. I’m rather cold now. Maybe you could warm me up a little with a hug and make me feel more at home?”
At that instant, it was as if a bomb had gone off in her mind, slowing her thinking down
That sounds… wrong.
Troubled by the man’s suggestive words, she felt an impending headache. “You’re cold, huh? I’ll turn on the heating for you. The room will feel as warm as a sauna in no time.”
After turning on the room’s heating, Christina made a hasty retreat
Stepping out of the lounge, she was greeted by a gentle breeze. It was only then that she realized her checks were flushed red.
Francis was indeed a born charmer, and it took her some serious willpower to resist his tantalizing allure.
Back in the lounge, Francis watched as the door closed behind her. He picked up the small, pink, cartoon- patterned blanket that lay on him and pulled it up to his nose. Lying down with the blanket covering half of his face, he felt as if he was cuddling Christina in bed.
A while after taking the medicine, he drowsily fell asleep.
As the brightness outside the window gradually gave way to dusk. Francis woke up to find the room’s heating turned off and the sweat on his forehead wiped away.
The blanket that had been covering his face was now placed on his stomach, probably a precautionary move by Christina to prevent him from suffocating.
Lying in the lounge, surrounded by Christina’s scent, Francis felt strangely content.
Just then, the door creaked open.
Upon seeing him awake, Christina, who was holding a bowl of pasta, was taken aback. “You must be famished. Eat up,” she said.
“You made this?” Francis was stumped. His voice came out hoarse, and it took him a while to realize it was his own voice.
He was probably dehydrated from sweating, and his throat felt extremely dry.
Christina placed the pasta on the bedside table. “Your voice is all raspy. You should hurry up and eat some food.”
The pasta was covered with cut–up strips of carrots arranged into the words “Happy Birthday” with a side
of lettuce. The hearty dish seemed to have been prepared with great care.
Francis gazed at the pasta, an enigmatic glint flickering across his eyes.
Worried that Francis might misunderstand his intention, Christina hurriedly explained. “Your assistant called me earlier to tell me it’s your birthday. Why didn’t you go back to spend your birthday with Ms. Macall
She had only just found out it was his birthday, and she whipped up the pasta in the pantry in haste. As such, it looked quite plain.
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“She doesn’t remember my birthday, and besides, I don’t enjoy celebrating it,” Francis replied with a faint smile that masked his emotions.
Christina nodded absentmindedly, feeling a little foolish for having made an effort.
But who wouldn’t enjoy celebrating their birthday? It’s an important day that honors one’s birth in this world. Francis held up the bowl and picked up the carrot strips that formed the words “Happy Birthday” with a fork. “Your craftsmanship leaves much to be desired. How unsightly,” he mocked.
“Don’t eat it then!” Christina huffed. He’s so ungrateful! I feel so silly for even trying!
She pivoted on her heels and stalked toward the door, saying, “Get lost once you’re feeling better. This isn’t a shelter.”
Her words echoed in the room after she left and shut the door behind her.
Francis pulled out his phone and took a picture of the pasta before giving it a taste.
It had been a while since anyone had celebrated his birthday.
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