Chapter 30 The Little Guy, Really Can't Take a Joke
Sophia snapped back to reality, realizing that Benjamin, who had been undressing by the bed, was now right in front of her.
When she looked up, her eyes met Benjamin's deep, penetrating gaze.
His eyes were like bottomless ancient pools, exuding a hint of danger.
Caught staring, Sophia's cheeks flushed red, and she quickly looked away. "Hey, babe."
Benjamin stood still, his eyes lowered, right in front of her.
Sophia's delicate features, bright eyes, and slightly pouted rosy lips made her look startled.
Those eyes were so pure, like flawless gems, clear and untainted by any evil.
Looking into those eyes, Benjamin suddenly felt a desire to corrupt that purity.
He wanted to mark that pristine canvas with his own essence.
His fingers twitched slightly at his sides as he leaned closer to Sophia.
"Do you like what you see?" he asked.
Everyone thought he was frail and sickly, but when his condition wasn't flaring up, he was as strong as any healthy man.
He had been working out consistently for years, never missing a day.
His physique could rival that of any athlete.
Benjamin's warm breath brushed against Sophia's ear, making her skin feel like it was on fire.
She bit her lip and looked at him, confused. "What?"
Benjamin moved closer, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
He took her hand and placed it on his bare chest, his voice low and magnetic. "You were staring at me for so long. Isn't it because you like what you see?"
Sophia was trapped against the wall, unable to escape.
She could feel the heat emanating from his palm and chest, her heart pounding wildly.
Her eyes flickered, and she quickly pulled away from him, mumbling, "You should go take a shower."
Benjamin wasn't upset by her evasive response.
He chuckled softly, turned to the wardrobe, and took out a white bathrobe before heading to the bathroom.
'Sophia, you're quite amusing. No rush, we have plenty of time.' Benjamin thought.
He used to think that every day was just a countdown to death.
Life seemed meaningless to him.
Nothing could stir his will to live.
But now, he suddenly felt that living wasn't so bad after all.
Anyone who knew Benjamin well would have noticed the faint trace of joy on his usually expressionless face.
After Benjamin left, Sophia's face was still flushed, her whole body feeling like it had been roasted.
Her heart was racing uncontrollably, her nerves on edge.
She fanned herself with her hand, wondering if she was sick.
A normal heart rate was 60 to 100 beats per minute, but hers was over 120.
As the heat on her face began to dissipate, Sophia suddenly remembered something important.
She rushed into the bathroom.
Inside, Benjamin was lying in the bathtub, his exposed skin pale and unhealthy-looking.
He was frowning deeply, veins bulging at his temples, as if he were in immense pain.
When he saw Sophia burst in, he instinctively shouted, "Get out!"
Sophia was startled by his sudden yell, but she wasn't about to leave.
She went straight to the bathtub, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry, babe. I should've warned you earlier that the medicinal bath can be pretty painful."
"Pretty painful? You think?" Benjamin forced a smile through the excruciating pain that felt like a thousand ants gnawing at his bones.
Sophia scratched her nose awkwardly and whispered, "It's not my fault! You were so close earlier... I got nervous and forgot to mention it."
She shifted the blame onto Benjamin.
Benjamin's lips twitched, sweat beading on his forehead, his arm muscles tensing as he gritted his teeth to endure.
Sophia leaned over the bathtub, softly reassuring him, "The medicine I prepared not only nourishes the body but also expels toxins. The poison in your body has seeped into your organs, so my treatment alone isn't enough."
"You've got two kinds of poison in you. They've mutated inside your body, making it tough to cure completely."
Sophia's face fell as she spoke. "If only Robert were here, he's way better than me. He could definitely cure you!"
But Robert never carried a phone when he went out.
She and Matthew couldn't reach him at all.
Benjamin's expression turned serious at her words. "Two kinds of poison? Are you sure?"
He straightened up, his eyes sharp and intense, as if trying to see through her.
He had always known he was born with poison in his body.
But he never imagined that what had been tormenting him all these years was actually two kinds of poison.
Sophia nodded. "Yes, one is congenital, and the other was injected into you with a new toxin seventeen years ago when you were kidnapped. I need to extract samples from your body to study the mutated toxins."
Benjamin's face darkened, his eyes cold and menacing, sending chills down one's spine.
But Sophia's gaze held no fear, only concern.
She couldn't imagine how Benjamin had endured all these years.
Looking at his chiseled profile, Sophia's resolve strengthened. She took his hand and said, "Honey, don't worry. I will cure you!"
Feeling the warmth of her touch, the bloodthirsty look in Benjamin's eyes faded.
He squeezed her hand, a wave of warmth spreading through his heart.
Sophia was like the brightest star in the sky, guiding him.
Benjamin thought, maybe God had seen his suffering for the past twenty-four years and sent her to him.
For the first time, he tasted sweetness.
Benjamin looked down at the brownish medicinal water, suddenly feeling less pain.
After a while, Sophia's drowsiness took over, and she kept yawning, her head nodding off.
Benjamin found it amusing.
He poked her head gently, and she jerked awake, her sleepy eyes looking at him. "Is it time?"
"Go back to sleep. If you don't, it'll be morning soon." Benjamin looked at her unfocused eyes, feeling both tender and helpless.