No More Waiting, She Chooses Love novel Chapter 194

Ever since my parents passed away, I never complained about the bitterness of medicine again. Without them, there was no more rock sugar to sweeten the deal for me. I hadn't tasted rock sugar since.

"It's really sweet," Ernest whispered, lifting a piece of rock sugar to my lips as if to tempt me.

Reluctantly, I opened my mouth, but as the sugar touched my tongue, tears welled up in my eyes and spilled over.

"Why are you crying now?" He cleaned my tears with his hands.

His words only made my heart heavier, my tears harder to stop.

Ernest couldn't keep up, eventually taking the glass from my hand and squeezing my hand gently, "If the medicine's too bitter, we'll skip it."

He walked away, and I buried my face in my palms...

After crying for a while, I felt much better. The thermometer tucked under my arm beeped, signaling it was done.

I checked it: 101.2°F. Definitely a fever.

Ernest reappeared, holding a towel, seemingly wrapping something inside.

"Let's use some ice to cool you down first, then you should drink some warm water. If your temperature drops, we won't bother with the medicine," Ernest said, supporting my legs to lie me down on the couch.

He placed the towel with ice on my forehead, his voice soft, "Close your eyes and rest a bit."

I did as told, but soon I heard the flick of a lighter, followed by the smell of alcohol burning in the air.

Then, a warmth spread in my palm; Ernest was rubbing my hand, a sudden heat that made me flinch. "I'm using alcohol to bring down your fever."

I knew this method; my dad had used it on me when I was a kid.

It was a bit frightening, having to rub your hands together with flaming alcohol.

I stayed still as he rubbed my left hand, then my right. Just when I thought he was done, he wrapped his hands around my feet.