The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1180

Charlotte noticed how pale he looked but didn’t say a word. She walked right up to him. The second her cool palm touched his forehead, she jerked back, startled by how hot he was.

“You’re burning up!”

Anthony let his chin rest on her shoulder, barely opening his eyes. His voice sounded rough. “Yeah, I guess I’m kind of hot. Don’t worry. I can take it.”

He had to be running a crazy fever, probably at least 104. He seemed half out of it. No wonder he hadn’t realized how sick he was.

“Come on. Let’s get you to bed.”

Charlotte pressed her lips together, grabbed his hand, and pulled it over her shoulder to steady him as she helped him back to the bedroom. She dragged over a chair, sat down, and placed her fingers gently on his wrist, checking his pulse.

Anthony watched her quietly, frowning. His other hand clenched up, his palm damp with cold sweat. Would she figure out he’d taken something?

“What have you been doing this week?”

The question made Anthony tense up. He looked down. “Hmm?”

“I’m just asking. Why do you look so nervous?” Charlotte raised an eyebrow and, seeing his discomfort, moved her hand away. She leaned in a little closer, her weight shifting onto him, and narrowed her eyes. “Did you do something behind my back?”

“That’s ridiculous.”

Anthony met her eyes, then rubbed his forehead against hers with a crooked smile. “You don’t believe me? Want to check for yourself?”

“Check where?”

He caught her hand, slowly guiding it down as his breath brushed her cheek, his voice going low and teasing. “Maybe here… or here…”

Even sick, Anthony’s half-lidded gaze and raspy voice had a way of getting under her skin. He was definitely doing this on purpose.

“Did you know Anthony’s been running a high fever on and off all week?” she asked quietly, leaning against the cold wall.

“He insisted on staying in the lab. I tried to stop him,” Dr. David replied, sticking to the story they’d planned. “He’s just exhausted and picked up a cold. That’s why his fever keeps coming back.”

After giving his excuse, Dr. David went silent, barely even breathing.

“Alright,” Charlotte said, though something still felt off. She just couldn’t figure out what.

When she walked back into the bedroom, Anthony was lying quietly in bed, eyes closed, fast asleep. He looked so tired and fragile. She’d never seen him like this.

“You never listen, do you?”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Charlotte leaned over and let her fingertips trace his face. When he frowned in his sleep, she bent down and kissed him softly, her eyes full of warmth. “I missed you so much, Anthony.”