Billionaire's Match (by Tangy Candy) novel Chapter 1092

Seeing how serious Charlotte's expression was—and the faint note of reproach in her voice—Ethan had no choice but to lie back obediently.

"I'm already much better. Should I… sleep on the sofa instead?"

"If I let you sleep on the sofa, I might as well send you out right now."

Ignoring his suggestion, Charlotte spoke flatly and turned to fetch iodine and cotton swabs.

While he had been asleep earlier, she had already asked his assistant to help clean his injuries. There weren't many open wounds—mostly bruises—but now she noticed a few more broken spots near his temple, dried blood tangled in his hair.

If left untreated, sweating could easily lead to infection.

"Lean your head closer," she said after preparing the supplies.

But Ethan was still staring at her, a little dazed.

Only then did she add, "What's wrong? You're not going to make me do all the work, are you?"

He pressed his lips together, then shifted with some difficulty, leaning toward her hand.

"Sorry to trouble you."

"When did you become so polite with me?"

There was a faint smile in her tone as she spoke. Her eyes stayed focused while she carefully cleaned away the dried blood, every movement precise and gentle, as if afraid she might hurt him.

From this angle, Ethan couldn't see her face clearly. But he could hear her breathing and smell the faint scent of body wash lingering on her skin.

After a moment of daze, he murmured, "I've always been polite."

Charlotte didn't respond.

Her warm breath brushed lightly against his neck as she worked, soft and intermittent—almost teasing, almost distracting.

The tips of his ears turned red. His body tensed slightly, and he pressed a hand hard against his thigh to steady himself.

She noticed.

"Does it hurt?" she asked, pausing immediately.

He shook his head. "No."

"Then relax. Don't keep tensing up."

They spoke at the same time.

Charlotte paused. "You go first."

"How have you been these past few days?"

Ethan lowered his gaze and awkwardly rubbed the side of his nose with his fingers.

After Noah left, he had come to see her immediately. He had expected her to be devastated—but instead, she only took one day off. After that, she threw herself back into work.

She ate and left work as usual, even chatting and laughing with colleagues more than before.

He had wanted to check on her more than once, but every time he saw how composed she looked, he found no opening to speak.

On the surface, she seemed fine regarding Noah's departure. But Ethan could tell—she had already changed completely.

The Charlotte of the past could be cold and work-obsessed, even unsmiling, but she always had a kind of resilience about her, a steady energy that made her feel full of life.

Now, even though she smiled more and seemed more relaxed—more open, even cheerful—that inner strength, that core spark… was gone.