Chapter 157 Fever
Olivia heard Windy's name, and her face turned cold right away.
"You rest up first. We'll talk about anything else when you're feeling better." Olivia sighed and turned to set things up for Leo, so he could go play in the room.
But as she turned, Luca grabbed her hand again. He stood up fast, still wobbly on his feet, but his eyes were dead serious as he stared at her. "Olivia, you're the only one in my heart. Always have been. No matter what tricks Windy pulls, I won't betray you. I won't betray Leo."
Olivia looked into his sincere eyes, and something hit her in the chest. She couldn't quite put her finger on the feeling.
She stayed quiet for a few seconds, then gently pulled her hand back. "I get it. Lie down and rest. The drug might still be working. Don't push yourself."
Luca nodded and leaned back on the sofa, his face still full of pain.
She went into the kitchen, poured Leo a glass of juice, and said, "Sweetie, go draw in your room. Mom's here taking care of Uncle LO. If you need anything, just call for me."
"Okay, Mom." Leo nodded nicely, took the juice, went to his room, and even closed the door carefully.
Olivia came back to the living room and looked at Luca on the sofa. She was full of worry. She didn't know how to help him with the drug's effects, so she just sat in the chair next to him, quietly keeping him company and handing him water now and then.
Luca leaned on the sofa, his mind flipping between clear and foggy. The heat in his body was unbearable.
His mind was almost swallowed by the drug. The heat burned like fire everywhere, every bit of skin screaming for relief.
He gripped Olivia's wrist hard, knuckles turning white. His breathing was heavy, like he couldn't catch his breath. Hot breath hit her face, mixed with booze and drugs.
His body leaned forward without control, trapping her between the sofa and him. His eyes burned with desire, but a last bit of clarity hung on.
Olivia struggled a little on instinct, her shoulders tensing up. Panic and refusal flashed in her eyes. That snapped Luca back a bit.
"Don't... don't move." He growled low through a rough throat, full of held-back pain. Sweat dripped from his forehead down his jaw onto her hand, burning hot.
He let go of her wrist fast and stumbled back two steps, his back hitting the wall to steady himself.
He clenched his teeth hard, shoved both hands into his hair, and pulled, trying to use the pain to fight the heat inside.
But Olivia's face kept flashing in his mind, tempting him to rush at her. Her quick refusal, though, was like cold water, killing his last urge.
He couldn't do this. If he touched her now, they'd never have a chance.
"Go... go to the bathroom, run ice water." He forced the words out, each one squeezed through his teeth. "As much as possible. As cold as possible."
Olivia froze, watching how much pain he was in, hesitating. "Water that cold will make you sick."
"I can take it." Luca waved her off, his voice firm and no-nonsense. "Or do you want to be my cure?"
He gave a bitter laugh. Olivia bit her lip and went to get it ready.
Luckily, there was ice in the freezer. In less than ten minutes, the ice water was set.
Luca held onto the wall and staggered into the bathroom.
His steps were shaky, like walking on cotton. At the tub, he looked back at Olivia, eyes pleading a bit. "Don't go far. Wait right outside."
He was scared he'd pass out in the ice water and wake up without seeing her.
Olivia nodded, stepped out, and left the door cracked open just a bit.
She leaned on the wall outside, ear pressed to the door, listening for sounds inside.
The bathroom went quiet fast. Half an hour passed, no noise.
Olivia couldn't help it and pushed the door open, peeking in. The water in the tub had a layer of white fog.
Luca leaned on the tub edge, face pale as a ghost, lips bloodless. His eyes were clearer than before, but he was shivering all over.
"You okay?" she asked, her voice showing a hint of care she couldn't hide.
Luca slowly opened his eyes, looked at her, and managed a weak smile. "Almost... almost there." His voice was still hoarse but steadier.
Olivia didn't say more, softly closed the door, and kept waiting outside. Another half hour went by, and the splashing stopped.
She was about to check when she heard stumbling steps inside, then a thud, like someone falling.
"Luca!" She shoved the door open and rushed in.
Luca was holding the tub edge, had just stood, but his legs gave out. He crashed hard onto the bathroom tiles. He tried to get up but had no strength,his head spinning.
Olivia ran over to help, touched his arm, and yanked back from the heat.
The ice water on him had warmed up from his body heat, but his skin was still scorching, even hotter than before. He'd stayed in the cold water too long, and his body couldn't handle it. He had a fever now.
"Why are you so hot?" Olivia was worried and mad. "I said ice water to cool you down, not stay in it forever!"
Luca slumped on the tiles, mind fogging again, too weak to move, letting her do what she needed.
He could smell her faint sweet scent, feel her soft body. A strong need to depend on her washed over him. He just wanted to stay like this, never apart.
Olivia struggled hard to get Luca out of the bathroom and into the bedroom.
He could barely walk, his full weight on her, making her stumble, sweat beading on her forehead.
Finally got him on the bed. Olivia was beat and sat on the edge, breathing hard. She looked at his closed eyes and pale face, her anger fading.
She went to the bathroom for a towel, grabbed a thermometer, tucked it under his arm carefully, then sat by the bed watching him.
A few minutes later, she checked it: 103 degrees, worse than she thought.
She gritted her teeth, went to the kitchen for fever meds, boiled hot water, and then back to the bedroom. "Get up and take this." She propped him up against the headboard, held the pill and water to his mouth.
Luca opened up, swallowed the pill, took a few sips of water, then slumped back, eyes closed, brows furrowed tight, looking miserable.
Olivia set the cup on the nightstand, wet the towel with warm water, and gently wiped his forehead and cheeks to cool him down.
Her touch was soft, her fingertips cool on his skin, making him feel better.
He grabbed her hand on instinct, holding tight like a lifeline.
Olivia paused but didn't pull away. She let him hold it and kept wiping him down.
Night fell deeper. Olivia stayed by the bed, changing the towel every half hour, giving him water.
Her eyelids got heavy, but she fought sleep, scared his fever would spike or something else would happen.
Around dawn, Luca's fever broke a little, and his head cleared up.
He opened his eyes and saw Olivia asleep, head on the bed edge, brows still knit, not sleeping well.
His heart warmed. He carefully pulled his hand free so he wouldn't wake her. He looked at her tired face, eyes full of tenderness and a touch of heartache.