Chapter 34 My God... Your Fever Is Extremely High.
Evelyn
“My God... what is this? Is he an alcoholic?”
Genuine shock filled my voice while my eyes wandered around the house. Empty bottles scattered everywhere, papers thrown across tables and floors, and suffocating chaos making the entire place look abandoned by peace itself.
But... this is not my business.
At least that is what I kept trying to tell myself.
Quick steps carried me toward the kitchen before pulling open the fridge, only for my hand to stop over the door.
No vegetables. No proper food. No meat. Nothing remotely close to a normal meal. Just water bottles and unfamiliar medicine.
Pain tightened sharply inside my chest.
“Does he survive on water only? What does he even eat?”
Sadness swept through me without warning. No matter how hard Adrian Blackwood tried acting cold and untouchable... his life looked painfully empty.
Fridge closed quickly before I rushed back home to grab fever medicine. Nervous energy pushed my movements faster, and moments later I was already climbing the stairs toward his room again.
I entered. His chest rose and fell too fast, exhaustion clear across his pale face. Heavy eyes opened with effort the moment he sensed me nearby.
“Evelyn... you came back?”
Weakness in his voice made my heart ache.
Hand reached toward me without hesitation, so I grabbed it quickly before sitting beside him.
“Adrian, what is happening to you? I’m really worried... this does not feel like a normal cold at all. Are you sick with something?”
Only a slow shake of his head answered me, as though speaking itself drained him.
“Do not worry... I’ll be fine.”
Nothing about him looked fine.
Trembling fingers opened the medicine box while anxiety twisted deeper inside me. I hate sickness... every time Marcus gets ill, panic completely destroys me because he is all I have in this world.
And now...
This young man started taking a dangerous place inside my heart too.
“I brought medicine for you... look, it will lower your fever.”
I placed the pill into his mouth before handing him water. Adrian drank slowly while supporting himself against one arm, gaze fixed entirely on my face.
“And this one is for your headache... your head hurts, right?”
“Yes...” Exhaustion roughened his whisper. “Feels like my head will explode.”
Tears filled my eyes before I even realized it. Maybe his loneliness hurt more than I expected... or maybe imagining him suffering here alone made my chest ache unbearably.
“Drink it... and stop being stubborn so you recover faster.”
Despite trying to sound calm, my voice still trembled.
Long silent stare settled over me before quieter words left him.
“Do not cry.”
Breathing caught instantly inside my throat.
“I... I’m not crying.”
But tears betrayed me immediately.
Those tired eyes stayed fixed on me as though my sadness hurt him more than his fever.
“Please... do not do this, Evelyn.”
Shaky breath escaped me before wiping my tears away hurriedly.
“Okay... I won’t. Open your mouth.”
Quiet obedience followed. More water was given to him, but!
Blood dripped from his nose.
Fear shot through me instantly.
“Adrian! Your nose is bleeding!”
His hand lifted lazily, almost like he was used to it.
“It’s okay... this always happens. Do not be scared.”
Violent coughing interrupted him, making me rush closer to wipe the blood from his face using a trembling tissue. Fever and alcohol clouded those half-open eyes, yet he continued staring at me with the same intense expression...
I were the only thing he truly wanted.
“This is such a beautiful dream...” Tired murmurs slipped from him. “I do not want to wake up.”
Faint amusement touched my lips.
“Do you always dream about me?”
Small smile curved weakly across his face.
“Since the first time I saw you.”
That Words ruined my heart.
I continued cleaning the blood from his nose while his eyes gradually drifted shut again.
“My God... your fever is extremely high.”
Cold towel pressed against his forehead over and over until my attention shifted toward the bandage wrapped around his hand.
Body froze immediately.
“Adrian... what happened to your hand?”
His eyes opened slightly.
“I just got into a fight.”
Tension spread through me without warning.
“With who? Was Marcus involved too?”
Slow blink followed.
As though concentrating had become difficult.
“Marcus...? Marcus was...” Silence lingered briefly before tired brows pulled together. “I do not know... who is Marcus anyway?”
Laughter escaped me despite the worry filling my chest.
“I think your fever burned your brain.”
Quiet laughter slipped from him too before tired whispers followed.
“I may forget everyone... but there is one person I will never forget.”
Brows lifted while watching him carefully.
“Who?”
Closer he leaned, eyes half closed.
“Evelyn Carter.”
Breath caught painfully inside my chest.
Way he spoke my name sounded almost possessive.
Without realizing it, a smile spread softly across my lips while Adrian continued looking at me as if he had known me forever instead of only a few days.
“Adrian, you need a cold shower. Your fever will never go down like this.”
Heavy gaze lifted toward me before unexpected words left him.
“Will you come in with me?”
But he understood himself anymore... drunk, feverish, and hardly aware of what he was saying.
Warmth rushed across my cheeks while I tried ignoring it.
“Fine... we’ll go together. I do not think you can even stand alone right now.”
Disbelief crossed his face immediately.
“My God... I never want to wake up. You feel so real.”
Gentle fingers lifted toward my face.
“Could this really be a dream?”
Only then did the strong smell of alcohol fully reach me.
“Adrian... are you drunk?”
“A little... yes.”
Concern tightened inside my chest.
“Why?”
One look at it was enough to tear my heart apart completely.
“Why did my mother abandon me?”
My breathing stopped.
“What did I do for her to leave me alone in this huge world? She was very selfish.”
Pain stabbed viciously through my chest.
Immediately, I grabbed his hand while tears filled my eyes again without permission.
“Adrian... do not say that.” My voice shook badly. “You are not alone. I’m here... beside you. I’m here now.”
His thumb brushed away my tears.
“Are you crying because of me?”
Soft laughter escaped between my tears.
“I just... hate seeing you sad.”
“I know...” Exhaustion weighed heavily on his whisper. “Sometimes I feel motherly warmth from you... you resemble my mother.”
Surprise crossed my face, but no words came out. He was barely conscious anyway.
Only a gentle smile was offered before I stood from the bed.
“Come on... stand up so you can shower.”
Immediate obedience followed, almost like he did not want to refuse me anything.