Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Chapter 189

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Since my parents passed away, I had never complained about the bitterness of medicine again. After all, there was no one left to give me sugar-free candies, and I hadn't tasted one since. "It's really sweet," Hayden coaxed, lifting the candy to my lips again, almost teasingly.

I finally opened my mouth. But the moment the candy touched my tongue, tears welled up in my eyes, spilling over before I could stop them.

"Why are you crying?" His hand was on my face, gently wiping the tears away

But the more he asked, the more I felt a tightness in my chest, and the harder it was to hold back the flood of emotions. My tears kept falling, faster than Hayden could wipe them.

In the end, he took the cup from my hands and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "If you hate the medicine that much, we won't take it."

He stepped away, and I buried my face in my hands.

After crying for a bit, I felt lighter, like some of the weight on my chest had lifted. The thermometer under my arm beeped, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I glanced at the number: 100.8°F. Yep, definitely a fever.

too. If it drops, you won't need the meds," he said, gently laying me down on the couch. He

heard the flick of a

I flinched, but he spoke quietly, "It's an old trick to help with the

was younger-but it always felt a little too

left hand, then my right. Just when

it back. "You don't need to do

bold enough to say you want to undress me, but now you're scared of me touching your foot?"

remember anything. But Hayden knew exactly

Silence felt like my best defense. I shut

the soles of my feet, sending shivers through me. It tickled, but in a way that made me feel safe,

+25 BONUS Chapter 189

were still around. It felt comforting, but it also made my heart ache.

as he stood up

watching him walk away. "Did we know

reminded me of my childhood, like he was channeling the

he might answer, but whatever