Jamie, you need to get better. You still haven’t given me an answer.Sitting by her bedside, Ben held Jamie’s hand, its warmth unnaturally high. He pressed her hand to his cheek, gently rubbing against it.Jamie woke up in the middle of the night.This time, the throbbing in her head had lessened, though she was still groggy as she scanned her surroundings.Her eyes landed on Ben, slumped in a chair by her bed.He hadn’t changed his clothes or even covered himself with a blanket. The man who was always so meticulous about his appearance now sat there in a rumpled, wrinkled shirt.Jamie stared at him for a moment, her mind blank. Before she realized it, her hand had moved, brushing against his chiseled face.The light flutter of his lashes snapped her back to awareness. She quickly tried to pull her hand away, but it was too late. He had already caught her.Touching me first thing after waking up? Looks like you’re feeling better and might’ve even had a change of heart, Ben said, his voice raspy and thick with exhaustion.Jamie had been sick for a full day and night, and Ben had cared for her tirelessly the entire time, barely even taking a sip of water.Thanks to his strong constitution, he could manage such exertion.Jamie froze, caught red-handed, and awkwardly blurted out, Let go of me. I was just worried you’d catch a cold sleeping here and end up blaming me later.Her words hung in the air, leaving both of them in silence.There had been plenty of unpleasant moments between them in the past, and Ben had said his share of hurtful things. He might not have meant them, but Jamie had taken them to heart. Perhaps, without even realizing it, Jamie had grown to care more than she thought. I’m sorry, Ben said suddenly, his tone decisive. I was wrong before. I didn’t trust you, and that’s on me.Jamie’s expression shifted slightly, her lips twitching. It’s fine. It’s all in the past. I don’t care anymore.She meant it. Most of the hurt had faded over time, though a small twinge of discomfort lingered.How’s Charlie? she asked, changing the subject.He’s fine. You’ve just gotten over your fever. Wait until morning to visit him.Jamie nodded and lay back down. You’re right. He’s probably asleep by now. I’ll go see him around noon and bring him some of his favorite donuts.As she spoke, Ben reached out, but his movement startled Jamie. She instinctively flinched, pulling away.What are you doing? she asked, her voice sharp.Ben paused, a flicker of bitterness crossing his face. I just wanted to check if your fever’s really gone.Her reaction stung, making him wonder if she was really so repelled by him? sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Jamie, don’t be so defensive. I wasn’t going to do anything, Ben said with a sigh, his tone tinged with exasperation.Jamie realized she might haveoverreacted but didn’t think she was entirely wrong. Given our currentrelationship, I think it’s best to keepsome distance. In my heart, you’ll always belong to my sister, Winnie.She’s gone, Ben said, his voice low but firm. Are you really going to let her death stop you from accepting me?The first thing that struck him was how much better Jamie seemed Her sharp retort was a clear sign that her fever had broken. The second was how absurd her wordssounded to him. He couldn’t understand it. If her resistance had been about Charlie, he wouldn’t have argued as he knew he had failed as a father. But Winnie?I ended things with Winnie a long time ago, Ben continued, his tone growing more serious. Besides, she loved Jack Green, not Ben Lucas. She fell for a version of me that wasn’t real. Jamie met his gaze, her voice unwavering. But in my heart, you’ll always be hers.