When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 98

Chapter 98



Finally making it to a villager's place after a rough journey, I was greeted with warmth. Their cozy two-story home was inviting, but my body betrayed me, falling ill.

Already frail, the travel had worn me down, and a fever had taken hold, leaving me delirious.

When Clyde called, it was Lina who answered. I didn't catch their exchange, but his urgency was palpable.

Two days later, as the rain ceased, my fever persisted. Vinson, taking no chances, hoisted me onto a tractor.

"We've got to get you to the hospital for a shot, or you'll be out of your mind with fever."

He borrowed a military coat from our host, wrapping me in it before pulling me close to his chest.

Looking up at his profile, I was suddenly reminded of Clyde.

During our junior year, after three nights without sleep, I'd collapsed from exhaustion. It was Clyde who'd rushed me to the infirmary, concern etched on his face.

And now, in this moment, I saw that same concern on Vinson's face.

I reached out, touching his chin, whispering, "Clyde, you need a shave... you look... scruffy."

Vinson paused, then tightened his hold on me.

Awakening to a patchy wall, it took a moment to place myself.

Only when I saw Vinson, stubble and dark circles under his eyes, did I remember where I was.

"Vinson, what happened to me?"

by exhaustion. Keep pushing yourself like this, and you'll make it

me back into bed, making sure I

giving me a once-over before fixing Vinson

been through two surgeries already. Can't you let her

could interject, Vinson

I shouldn't have

only do so much here; for a thorough check, you'll need a big-city

But what's more important, work or health? Take a break from

had a way of being stern yet caring, ending his visit by sharing some homemade pork trotters, claiming they were good

unsure, while Vinson chuckled

"Not feeling it?"

"It's all yours."

the fat and offering me

them, a bit

undeterred, enjoyed

when the topic of transporting materials came up,

back. Just have

we tell him about

done with his

shook my head. "Vinson, let's not. Just say I'm still

transport once he was

send Clyde a video, downplaying my condition, leading to

over? I'm

be back soon after supervising. Don't

our relationship had found a semblance of the early days

shattered when

on camera, back

me

call

ignoring Clyde's attempts at