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.

drops, you won't

did, but a few moments later, I heard the flick of a lighter and smelled

but he spoke quietly, "It's an old

to do it when I was

he massaged my left hand, then my right. Just when I

"You don't

want to undress me, but now you're scared

didn't remember anything. But Hayden knew exactly what I'd said, and there

my best defense. I shut my eyes again

hands worked over the soles of my feet, sending shivers through me. It tickled, but in a way that made me feel safe, like all the warmth

+25 BONUS Chapter 189

still around. It felt comforting, but it also made my heart ache. Before I realized it, tears started slipping down my cheeks again. "Rest. I made

he stood up

walk away.

he did today reminded me of my childhood, like he was channeling the

I thought he might answer, but whatever he said was