Chapter 84 Applying Medicine for Her
The cotton swab was already soaked in medicine, and it hurt so much that Alison couldn't help but grimace, completely disregarding her image.
Jack, however, acted as if he didn't notice, applying the medicine with steady hands. This reminded Alison of the scar on her chest; Jack had once treated that wound too.
Thinking back, he had tended to her injuries before. The memories were so vivid, it felt like it happened just yesterday.
She stayed still, waiting for him to finish, and only when he stood up did she dare to breathe a sigh of relief.
He began to tidy up the cotton swabs and medicine, looking like her assistant. The problem was, she was only wrapped in a towel.
"Jack, that's enough," she hinted, implying that he could leave now that the medicine was applied.
But he didn't seem to plan on leaving. After placing the items on the table, he headed straight for the bathroom.
Alison's heart tightened, and she clutched the towel tightly, afraid it might fall. If he saw the scar on her chest, her secret would be out. "Jack, what are you doing?"
"Nothing," he replied without turning his head, continuing towards the bathroom.
Alison couldn't sit still. She needed to find some clothes quickly; the towel made her feel insecure.
She thought Jack was going to take a shower, and then... who knows what might happen, given his flirtatious nature.
She hurriedly tried to get out of bed, but before her feet touched the carpet, Jack's voice came, "Alison, don't move. The medicine is just applied."
"Ah!" How did he come back so quickly? When she looked up, the loosely tied towel had slipped from her chest due to her movements.
"Ah!" She screamed again, quickly turning around to prevent Jack from seeing her front, while frantically grabbing the sheet to cover herself. The sheet reminded her of the bloodstains Aimée had left on this bed, and a wave of sadness washed over her.
She was always like this, unsettled because of Jack. In her panic, she even touched her wound, wincing in pain. She looked at Jack, who stood empty-handed, and nervously asked, "What... what do you want?"
"Relax, I'm not interested in skinny women. I just want to dry your hair. Sleeping with wet hair is uncomfortable." He pulled out a hairdryer from behind him, saying, "See, I just want to dry your hair."
"No need, I never dry my hair."
A hint of surprise flashed across his face, then he said, "Huh, you remind me of her a bit, but luckily, it's just a resemblance."
Alison was stunned. When she lived in the apartment, she also didn't like drying her hair before bed, and he used to nag her about it. Was he referring to her or Emily?
She sat there, wrapped in the sheet, not daring to move.
"Why so quiet? You usually have a lot to say," he teased.
"Jack, how many times do I have to tell you, stop comparing me to that Emily," she glared at him, annoyed. He always used his strength to bully her, knowing she couldn't push him away.
But she didn't have the courage to drive him away because once he decided on something, it was hard to change his mind.
"Sorry," he laughed, his white teeth gleaming under the light, making his smile seem more genuine.
"Not sincere at all." She couldn't be fooled. Even though he always said he didn't like skinny women, he used to like her when she pretended to be the skinny Emily...
Jack immediately stopped smiling and said seriously, "Sor...ry..." dragging out the word, dispelling the tension in the air.
Today was the first time she heard him apologize, and he did it several times.
Fine, for the sake of his apology, she would forgive him. "Alright, but after you dry my hair, you have to leave. I'm really tired and need to sleep."
"Got it." He walked towards her, his tall figure casting a shadow over her slender frame, making her so nervous she could hardly breathe.
"Alison, I always feel like I've met you before." The hairdryer was already on, and he spoke while drying her hair.
"Stop treating me like Emily's replacement. I really don't like it," she replied, feeling guilty, silently praying he wouldn't notice the scar on her chest.
Jack gathered his thoughts and said seriously, "No, I mean it. It's not about Emily. It's a special feeling, like I knew you before."
"Fine, then just pretend you knew me before." The pain in her knee made her frown, but she held back from making a sound.
The hum of the hairdryer brought back memories of him drying her hair in the apartment.
It was that past tenderness that made it impossible for her to hate him. At this moment, her heart softened again, almost making her want to tell him the truth—that she was the woman from before, and they had two children together.
But the words stuck in her throat. Would he believe her? After all, she had worked so hard to disguise herself as Emily, and now she greedily wanted to become Alison again, while he knew nothing.
She quietly let him dry her hair, wishing every second that time would slow down. But time always flies, never stopping for anyone.
The hairdryer finally stopped, and her hair was dry. Jack walked to the bathroom to put the hairdryer away, then prepared to leave.
She stared blankly at his back, feeling a pang of sadness. He still liked Aimée, after all, that woman had given him her first time.
She pushed her thoughts aside, reminding herself that in his eyes, she was just his brother's woman, and that night... she didn't want to remember, as it always left her heart in turmoil.
Jack returned empty-handed, standing by the bed. His shadow fell over her, making her look up at him. "Why aren't you leaving?"
"Let me check your wound again," he said.
"No need." She clutched the sheet, looking a bit disheveled, afraid of accidentally exposing herself.
"Did you hurt it again when you pulled the sheet?" he asked, suspicious.
"No," she denied.
"Then let me see. I'll feel better after checking." He insisted, reaching to pull the sheet away despite her protests.
"Wait, I'll do it myself." She hurriedly stopped him, afraid his fingers might touch her skin, which would make her feel incredibly uneasy.
Carefully, she lifted the sheet, revealing a leg covered in red medicine. Though the sight was somewhat marred by the medication, she was more worried about exposing herself.
"See, you said it was fine, but the wound has reopened. I'll apply more medicine, and you need to rest properly, no more moving around."
She made a face at him. This gentle side of him was something she wasn't used to, and it made her fear she might get lost in his world again.
He applied the medicine again, then stood up straight, giving orders like a boss to a subordinate, "Stay in bed until noon tomorrow. But in the afternoon, you need to meet with Mr. Bates and me."
"No way, I'm here for vacation, not work." She had sworn never to deal with him again, let alone be his sidekick, which she found very annoying.
But now, she felt so spineless, accepting his apology. She was too soft-hearted.
"No, if you don't go, I won't either. That deal is for Aidan, not me."
Was he threatening her?