Almost everyone around Eliot recently,
could sense that he was in a bad mood.
Aurelia was there, but except for that one night, Eliot hadn't visited the villa again.
Occasionally, he would return to the Rivertons residence.
Facing elders who hesitated to speak,
Eliot would experience a strange sense of vindication.
They had forced him into the marriage.
They had chosen his wife carefully.
Now, wanting him to divorce and remarry, they naturally felt embarrassed.
But he stubbornly refused.
He ate just a few bites of dinner before getting up to leave.
In the dining room, everyone could hear a pin drop.
Eliot sneered, not turning back.
His phone rang for a while before he took it out to check.
It was a servant from Aurelia's place calling.
His steps suddenly halted.
In the cold winter wind, he felt a strange warmth emanating from his heart.
Not sure what he was thinking, he actually smiled.
"Mr. Riverton, Miss Quinnlyn has been ill for several days and insisted we not tell you."
"Tonight, she had a high fever. Doctor Woods came over to give her an IV, but Miss Quinnlyn wasn't cooperating..."
"I'll be there right away."
Eliot hung up the call and didn't let the driver follow him.
The fifty-minute drive took him less than half an hour.
The bedroom was in disarray, pillows and blankets scattered everywhere.
Aurelia, with her hair loose, curled up in a corner of the bed, refusing to let anyone approach.
"Everyone, please leave."
He took off his coat and handed it to the servant, calmly instructing them.
Everyone retreated outside.
He walked step by step to the bedside. "Aurelia."
The small, huddled figure trembled slightly.
His hand came down, resting gently on her tangled long hair, touching it cautiously.
She didn't seem to resist much.
He then went further, grasping her slender shoulders and embracing her.
Her body was so hot that his heart ached.
"Aurelia, does your belly hurt again?"
After being stabbed, she had developed a lingering condition.
Her healed wound caused phantom pains.
Every time she fell ill, she would have nightmares.
Dreaming of the scene that day, dreaming of the attacker's terrifying face.
All of this, only Eliot knew.
"Don't be afraid, everything is fine, it's all over."
He hugged her tightly, patiently comforting her. "That person was caught by the police long ago and will never leave prison."
"You're okay now, your wound has healed well, the scar is fading almost out of sight..."
Eliot stroked her back gently.
Then, he lowered his head to kiss her lightly. "Aurelia, don't be afraid, I'm here."
She, burning with fever, opened her eyes dazedly.
It took her a while to recognize the person in front of her.
But the moment she recognized him, she seemed to relax somewhat.
Then, tears began to fall from her eyes.
Her body was burning hot, but her fingers were icy cold.
She clung tightly to his sleeve. "Eliot?"
"It's me, Eliot."
Suddenly, a sense of grievance welled up in her eyes.
Her hand gripping his sleeve tightened abruptly.
Like a child who had suffered greatly and suddenly saw her family.
She cried loudly. "Why did you take so long to come back? That person was so fierce, he hit me..."
Eliot suddenly hugged her tightly.
His eyes stung terribly, nearly causing him to shed tears.
When that incident first happened, Aurelia often had such nightmares.
He spent night after night accompanying her.
Only once did he leave briefly.
When he returned, she held him and cried bitterly, feeling wronged.
If she hadn't been ill, if the fever hadn't made her confused,
she would never have relied on him like this again.
She would never have said these words.
He was clear about all of this.
Yet he indulged in it, savoring every moment.
"I'm sorry, Aurelia, I came back late."
"I promise, I'll never leave you again, okay?"
Her emotions gradually calmed, and she nodded through her sobs. "You said it, you can't lie to me."
"Mm-hmm, Yes, I won't lie to you, I won't ever lie to you again."
She cried, yet suddenly looked up at him and smiled.
"Eliot, I love you."
He froze.
His limbs felt numb, unable to move.
It was unclear how long had passed; she had already fallen into a deep sleep in his arms.
He slowly regained his scattered senses.
"Aurelia."
He murmured, lowering his head and pressing his face against her cheek.
"I love you too, Aurelia."
