Chapter 108
Chloe felt the cold water hit her back while she gripped Ruan tightly, leaving red marks across his back. He didn't complain. He ran his hands through her hair, then slid them down her neck just to make sure her temperature was dropping. Not only that, but he had forgotten how good it felt to be with someone he truly loved.
“Can we get this over with soon?” her voice shook. Chloe’s chin trembled uncontrollably; she could barely speak. “I’m freezing.”
“I know,” he said, holding her even tighter. “Just hold on for one more minute.”
Chloe rested her head against his chest. She couldn't remember a single time she had held Ruan like this and felt as safe as she did right then. Chloe had promised herself she wouldn't let him get close again. She had imagined walking away and never looking back, but now she lay in his arms, wishing this moment would never end.
He finally turned off the shower. Without letting go of her for a single second, he reached out, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around her body. Chloe stepped away, and all the warmth from his body vanished. She immediately hugged him again, as if she desperately craved his touch.
“I’m still cold.” Ruan smiled, wrapping his arms around her once more.
He stayed like that for a little while longer, then guided her out of the bathroom. The house felt completely silent. Ruan dried her body and dressed her. Chloe found it funny; she shouldn't be smiling, since she still felt weak and feverish, but Ruan's presence made everything better.
“I’ll go make you some tea,” he said, stepping back until she grabbed the sleeve of his shirt and stopped him from leaving.
“I don't want tea,” her eyes fell to the hand she held. “I just need to sleep for a bit.”
“I’ll leave so you can rest.” She kept gripping his shirt so tightly that Ruan looked down at her flushed face, knowing Chloe wanted something more.
“Can you stay with me tonight?” The warm touch of her fingers brushed against his skin. “I mean, I’m used to sleeping with Chris…”
Ruan stepped closer slowly. Chloe had no choice but to fall silent. Her face burned much hotter than the fever. She couldn't look him in the eyes; it felt exactly like the moment she first realized she loved him—a foolish, reckless love.
“Of course I can stay.” His fingers brushed against her skin. “I’ll stay as long as you want.”
She suddenly looked up at him, locking eyes with his gray gaze, which seemed as dark as the night. He showed no trace of indifference or coldness. Ruan stared so deeply into her eyes that he could have stripped her soul bare.
“What is going on with you?” she asked, knitting her brows as her brain went into overdrive. “Why are you trying so hard to show me that you care?”
“Because I do care,” his voice sounded husky, heavy with frustration. “But we can save this conversation for later.”
He gently forced her to let go of his shirt, pulled back the blanket, and waited for her to lie down. Ruan tucked her in, walked around the bed, pulled back the cover, and lay down right beside Chloe. He had done this so many times before. Yet, during all those times lying next to her, his heart had never twinged the way it did at that very moment. He stared at the ceiling, which the outside light illuminated, forcing himself to calm his racing heart. He couldn't move with her so close. The bed shifted, and when Ruan looked over, Chloe had turned to face him with her eyes closed, looking just as comfortable as he remembered.
He wanted to believe this was a good sign—that when morning came, things between them would change. He hoped it meant a fresh start, and he fell asleep with that thought, enveloped by the warmth of her body.
Not only that, but he woke up early, looked to his side, and saw Chloe sleeping peacefully. Likewise, he placed his hand on her forehead. The fever had broken. The morning silence felt so heavy it pressed against his eardrums.
He felt a sudden warmth rush up his neck, making his face flush. He realized he was smiling like an idiot while watching his ex-wife sleep. He wished he had cherished these moments more. Not only that, but he wished he had truly valued being by her side.
He slid out of bed, stood up, and left the room. Ruan wanted to cook the best breakfast possible for Chloe. If there was anything he could do for her, no matter how small, to make Chloe feel comfortable, he would do it.
He had barely reached the kitchen when a loud, aggressive knock rattled the front door. Ruan checked the time; it was far too early for anyone to be at someone’s door with such urgency.
He walked quickly, making sure the noise wouldn't wake Chloe, and when he opened it, Megan stood there. She wore an oversized shirt of his, looking like she had stepped right out of a magazine, with a smug smile plastered across her face. She leaned against the doorframe, her gaze sliding down Ruan’s body.
“Good morning, babe,” she smiled.
A sudden noise made Ruan whip around, and he froze when he spotted Chloe standing in the hallway. Ruan couldn't even breathe. Just when he thought things were finally going right, another tsunami hit to ruin everything all over again.