"If you don't want to take medicine, then don't get sick."
"You think I want to be sick?"
"Why were you standing out in the cold night air if you don't want to get sick? Got a thing for the chill?"
Sophia couldn't win the argument, so she snatched up the medicine and shoved it all into her mouth at once.
Jason wrinkled his brow in concern and hurriedly handed her a glass of water.
Sophia drank so hastily that she choked, doubling over and coughing next to the bed.
Clad in a cotton cartoon pajama set that was loose-fitting, she inadvertently revealed a swath of her pale skin as she leaned forward.
A rush of warmth flooded through Jason as he remembered that afternoon when her feverish and tender body pressed against him, impossible to push away... His hand hesitated mid-air, not daring to touch her back.
As Sophia coughed, her face turned beet red and she lay back down, gasping for breath and giving Jason a sideways look. "Are you trying to get back at me under the guise of taking care of me? Is this your way of finishing me off?"
Irritated, Jason swept her a glance and stood up to leave.
Quickly, Sophia reached out and grabbed his shirt. "I'm just kidding, don't go."
He looked down at her hand, his heart skipping a beat, but his voice remained sharp. "I thought you were afraid I'd be the death of you?"
With wide, doe-like eyes, Sophia looked up at him. "Considering how pitiful I am, can't you be a little nicer to me?"
"Aren't I nice enough to you already?"
She pondered for a moment, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "On second thought, you're quite nice."
His frustration melted away as he tucked her in. "Stop talking and try to sleep off the medicine. I'm not going anywhere; I'll just sit outside for a bit."
"Why go outside? We grew up together, like siblings. What's there to be awkward about?" Sophia's gaze was candid.
"There you go, getting mad the moment I mention Estelle," Sophia pointed out.
Jason could only sigh. Communicating with her was impossible.
Feeling sentimental from her illness, Sophia spoke earnestly. "To me, you and Estelle are both dear, like the palm and the back of a hand. I can't stand to see either of you unhappy. Estelle's found happiness; now I want the same for you."
Jason stared at her intently. "Are you under some kind of misconception about your illness?"
Sophia fell silent.
"Have you visited Old Mr. Quintin these past few days?" Jason inquired.
Sophia shook her head. "No, I called him last night. He's doing well so I didn't want to bother him anymore."
Jason got straight to the point. "Are you avoiding him because of what Evelyn said the other day?"

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Woohoo! This was sooooo good. Thank you for the updates....
This was classic updates. Thank you so much...
May we please have updates. Thank you...
I sincerely hope that Gonzalez finds the taped meeting of Hannah and Trevor to throw them under the bus....
How will Gonzalez get back at Hannah, Yvonne and Trevor for the setup and fall from grace....
Adrian needs to safe face and not do this. It will embarrass he and Norah and his family. Thank you for the updates....
This a HOT MESS for them both....
WOW! I didn't see that coming at all for Norah nor Gonzalez, the plot thickens. Thank you for the updates....
Xavier wants to get caught kissing Norah at this point. When will he ask her to call him Xavier and not Gonzalez. Maybe that would bring back her memories. Thank you for the updates....
So, Norah drew out the big guns with her call to Jonathan for a favor. Thank you for the updates....