14:55 Mon, Nov 11
Chapter 85
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Late at night, in the VIP room on the 8th floor of the hospital, someone knocked on the window heavily.
Kenneth’s tightly shut eyes snapped open. He swung out of bed and strode to the window. Pulling back the curtains, he saw Ophelia standing outside on the air conditioning unit, dressed in black sportswear, tilting her head and looking at him. His heart nearly leaped out of his chest. He had never felt like this before. In one swift motion, he opened the window, wrapped his arms around Ophelia, pulled her inside and then slammed the window shut.
The window slammed shut.
“Ophelia! Are you out of your mind?” Kenneth’s brows furrowed, and his sharp eyes blazed with anger like he wanted to devour her.
Kenneth thought Ophelia was joking earlier when she mentioned climbing in through the window. He thought, ‘Who knew she’d actually do it? Eight floors up. With no safety equipment. What if she has fallen? Damn it’
The bodyguards outside had heard the noise and were about to come in, but as soon as they saw Ophelia, they quickly withdrew and stationed themselves a good 30 feet away.
Ophelia’s face was flushed from the cold. She didn’t want to wear the nurse’s outfit again, or Kenneth might accuse her of trying to seduce him. She thought, ‘Kenneth’s mad. What should I do?”
“Kenneth, my hands are cold,” she said softly, holding out her dirty, frozen hands, her wide, innocent eyes fixed on him. Her palms were red.
Kenneth’s heart clenched at the sight and he gritted his teeth. “You deserve it. If you have a death wish, just say so.”
“You deserve it. Next time, if you want to risk your life, just say so.” Even though Kenneth was furious, he took her cold hands in his, his handsome face still tight with concern.
Kenneth rubbed her hands between his, his touch gentle as if he were holding something precious. He even blew warm air on them to heat them.
Ophelia blinked, suddenly realizing something.
“Feeling better?” Kenneth’s voice was still laced with irritation, though it had softened a bit.
Ophelia stared at him, dazed. “I’m still cold.”
Kenneth sighed, exasperated, and pulled her into his arms. He thought, ‘I can’t yell at her and punish her. She has me completely wrapped around her finger
Resting her head on Kenneth’s chest, Ophelia let him hug her, feeling the warmth of his hands as he rubbed her shoulders. Kenneth growled. “Try that again, and I swear I’ll break your legs. Got it?”
He looked down at Ophelia, but when he met her gaze, something in her eyes made him pause. “You… What’s with that look? You think you’re in the right or something?”
Ophelia’s mind was spinning, slowly piecing together a memory. She murmured, “It’s you, isn’t it? You’re the one who held me in the snow that winter, right?”
Kenneth stiffened and averted his gaze. “What are you talking about?”
“We met when we were kids. It was you.” Ophelia’s eyes sparkled, her smile revealing two perfect teeth. “You don’t remember? In the slums, I even gave you half of my bread. You said…” 14:55 Mon, Nov
Chapter 85
Her words were cut off as Kenneth pressed his cold lips against hers.
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After what felt like forever, Kenneth finally let her go and rested his forehead against hers. His voice was hoarse. “I said, kid, don’t get
too close to me.”
He hugged Ophelia tightly again, running a hand over her head Back then, his mother had just passed away and he had ended up wandering through the slums. Starving and ragged, he had been at his lowest point, and she had seen it all. Ophelia wrapped her arms around his waist, unable to contain the joy bubbling up inside her. Ophelia remembered how Kenneth had followed her for two days, helping her collect bottles. Every time she found something to eat, she’d share it with him. Then, one day, he was just gone.
One night, during a blizzard, her makeshift shelter had blown away. Ophelia was sure she was going to freeze to death. But someone had held her hands, keeping her awake, whispering, “Wake up… Don’t fall asleep.”
Ophelia asked, “So, it was you who took me to the hospital?”
She remembered waking up in the hospital but had no idea who brought her there. The nurses asked for her parents’ contact information and demanded payment for the medical bills. Not having any money, she snuck out and ran into a boy named Miles, who offered to help her. She only remembered his name after that.
Ophelia thought, ‘In my past life, I have once asked Miles about it, and he has actually taken credit for it. If I haven’t lived through it all again, I never would have known that it was Kenneth who has stayed with me all night in the snow. Kenneth nodded.
“So, where did you go after that?” Ophelia asked, looking up at him.
Kenneth didn’t respond. Instead, he flicked her on the forehead. “You think I’m as dumb as you?”
Hospitals cost money. And Kenneth didn’t have any. By the time he borrowed some from Liam, Ophelia was already gone. After that, he was taken away, and he didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye. That was why when he came back from abroad, the first thing he did was look for her. “Alright. Since you know the truth now, isn’t it time you paid me back for saving your life?” Kenneth tilted her chin up, locking eyes with her. “You started this.”
“I… I gave you half my bread,” Ophelia protested.
Kenneth brushed his thumb across her soft lips. “That’s why I’m offering myself to you in return.”
His tone was so matter-of-fact that Ophelia was left speechless. “I…” she stammered.
She wanted to say that she’d offer herself too, but no, that wouldn’t do. She took a deep breath. “I’ll repay you with my life.” Kenneth slipped off the ring from his pinky and slid it onto Ophelia’s ring finger.
The ring was thick, like the size of three coins stacked together. It had three layers. The top and bottom were black, with a silver layer in the middle, interwoven like a totem.
Kenneth smiled, “There’s something special about this ring. It has the pull-tab ring you gave me as a kid embedded inside.” He had melted it down and incorporated it into this ring. He had worn it ever since, but now, both the ring and its rightful owner were back where they belonged.
Ophelia stared at the ring on her finger, treating it like a precious treasure. She thought, The last time Eric made fun of me, not believing anyone would want me. I said I’m married, but I felt embarrassed for not wearing a ring. But now I have one. I will show it to Eric and tell him that I even have a husband now.
14:55
Mon, Nov 11
Chapter 85
“Alright. It’s time for you to check up,” Kenneth said.
“Huh? I’m not a nurse.” Ophelia was still admiring her new ring whe
“I’m checking you. You climbed all the way up
pre. Let’s see if you
Ophelia was speechless. She thought, ‘How does he manage to turn like it’s completely normal?’
Ophelia protested, “No. I’m sorry. Kenneth, my hand still hurts.”
Kenneth let a quiet laugh. “You don’t need your hands for this.”
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