Chapter 502

Vincent halted briefly, retreating a fraction. His voice turned gentler. "Alright, I've spoken all that was on my mind. I'll be going now. Rest properly."

When his words ended, he cast Hannah a lingering stare. The conflicted expression pierced Hannah's chest with pain. Then, he firmly pivoted and walked away.

The door stayed ajar, letting the icy draft rush in,making Hannah tremble. She stayed rooted, her mind in turmoil, like a tempest crashing within. Rest properly? How could she possibly rest properly now?

In the days that followed, it felt like Vincent had entirely disappeared from Hannah's existence. No sudden phone calls, no familiar car idling below at the usual hour.

Initially, Hannah welcomed the calm. She simply required solitude to untangle her conflicted feelings.

Yet, after only a couple of days, unease began gnawing at her.

That night, just as she prepared to bathe, her phone buzzed.It was Derek.

"Ms. Scott, forgive me for disturbing you. Have you happened to see Mr. Jones these past few days?"Derek's tone carried unmistakable worry.

Hannah's pulse stuttered, but she kept her voice calm. "No, I haven't. What's wrong?"

"Apparently, Mr. Jones was drenched in the rain several days ago and has suffered a persistent fever since. It rises and falls, and today he didn't even appear at the office. His phone goes unanswered.I'm really alarmed. I bought medication and went to his residence, but nobody opened the door." Derek's voice grew increasingly tense. "He's unwell. Where could he have gone?"

At once, Hannah remembered that dawn when he stood outside her entrance, soaked to the skin. Her chest constricted, and she exclaimed, "Why is he

wandering around while ill?"

Derek responded, "I honestly don't know! Ms. Scott,if you might..."

"I get it. I'll search for him too!" Hannah cut in,ending the call.

Almost without thinking, she rushed to the doorway and flung it wide. Abruptly, a fever-ridden figure collapsed forward against her. She lunged forward,and his forehead came to rest against her shoulder.His heated breath brushed her skin. Vincent was outside her doorway? When had he arrived?

Her phone chimed again; Derek was calling. She fumbled to answer with one hand."I've found him."

Derek sighed in relief. "That's wonderful! Is Mr.Jones alright? I still have the medicine..."

"Just leave it for now. I'll see that he takes it later,"Hannah said with a sigh.

"Thank you kindly, Ms. Scott!" Derek expressed his gratitude.

Once the call ended, Hannah struggled to drag Vincent inside her place and eased him down onto the couch. He mumbled something incoherent, his brow furrowed in discomfort.

She brought water and fever tablets, carefully propping him up. "Vincent, swallow this medicine."

Though his eyes remained closed, he dutifully consumed the medicine with her help.

Seeing him in this rare moment ofvulnerability,her heart softened briefly, but she still insisted, "Once the fever drops, you're leaving."

With that, she left him behind and stepped away to bathe.

Once she was gone, the man who was supposed to be asleep on the sofa opened his eyes slowly.Despite the redness from his illness, his gaze was clear now.

After her bath, Hannah returned carrying a damp cloth to cool Vincent's fever. She noticed him

appeared to slumber deeply, his breathing steadier.

Leaning over, she intended to feel his forehead for fever. But the moment her hand touched his blazing skin, her wrist was abruptly captured by his fevered grip.

The next moment, her world spun. She let out a startled cry as she was pulled down heavily onto the sofa.

Vincent's feverish frame pressed against her, pinning her beneath.

"You..." Hannah gasped with fury and shock,struggling as she met his gaze. He no longer seemed frail or stricken.

"Your fever's subsided?" she demanded,breathless.

His heated mouth hovered by her ear, his breath searing, making her quiver. "My fever's eased a bit,"he murmured. He clasped her hand and pressed it to his chest. "'But the fire inside won't settle. Hannah, I need to know how you truly feel."

Before she could utter a word, his fevered lips stifled every protest and cry.