At night, the long-anticipated storm finally arrived as expected.
Outside, the wind howled fiercely, and raindrops pounded against the glass doors, with the dim light outside only faintly illuminating the rustling leaves.
Sophie Smith had always been a light sleeper, and such noise was bound to wake her.
She opened her eyes, just about to turn over, when a slightly pained breathing reached her ears.
Was that Asher Land’s voice?
What happened to him?
Sophie sat up with a start, and with a click, she turned on the lamp by the bedside. Instantly, the room was brightly lit.
Her sudden movent caught him completely off guard.
His face, contorted in pain, imdiately ca into her view.
"Asher..." Sophie panicked, "What’s wrong with you?"
He furrowed his brows deeply, pressing one hand against his left arm, and the pillow beside him was already soaked with his sweat.
"I’m fine, just turn off the light first, I’ll be okay after so sleep." He feigned a relaxed expression, but how could Sophie listen to him?
Even in such a state, he was still trying to comfort her?
"Asher, is your arm hurting? I’ll call Doctor Williams to co over right now," Sophie said as she was about to get out of bed.
"There’s no need." Asher forced a weak smile, motioning for her to lie down next to him.
"It’s so late, and the weather is awful. Let’s not bother anyone. Besides, even if he ca, it wouldn’t help with the pain."
He had already been to the hospital today. As it turns out, doctors aren’t all-powerful in healing ailnts.
Sophie clenched her small fist, biting her pale lips, as her chest heaved slightly with unease.
Asher felt a bit guilty for waking her up, thinking he should probably sleep in the guest room for the next few nights.
"Asher, is there anything I can do for you..." she fidgeted with her fingers nervously.
"There is." He curved his lips slightly, "Could you massage my arm?"
"Okay." Sophie nodded seriously, her slender fingers gently pressing on his firm arm, though she was unsure how much pressure would suit him.
"Is this... enough?" Using about thirty percent of her strength, she pressed while turning her head to ask him.
"A bit harder."
In truth, no amount of pressure could alleviate his pain at the mont; he just wanted to put her at ease.
Sophie continued to massage him, despite Asher’s several attempts to coax her to sleep, and when she wouldn’t relent, he had no choice but to close his eyes, pretending to be asleep.
Seeing him asleep, she covered him with the quilt and lay down beside him.
Her small hand unconsciously wrapped around his waist, her head resting on his chest.
"Asher, you must get better, you must..."
He was in this state because of her, and as long as he wasn’t well, her heart would suffer one more pang.
Asher wasn’t asleep, so he could sense her emotional shifts, her body even trembling gently in his embrace.
That night was particularly trying for both of them.
By morning, he could feel her getting up.
He opened his eyes to see her in a thin nightgown, sitting at the desk and turning on the computer.
With one hand supporting her head and the other moving the mouse, her eyes were fixed intently on the screen.
He shook his head, also getting up from the bed, and walked towards her with a coat in hand. Hearing the noise, Sophie instinctively closed all computer windows.
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