Chloe Preston was taken aback for a moment. The next second, her eyes reddened as she met his deep gaze. She stood up, wrapped her arms around his back, and hugged him tightly. "You’re back..." she choked out between sobs. She hugged him so tightly that the pressure on his scarred back was excruciating. But he didn’t let her go, simply allowing her to hold him. Donovan Xavier frowned slightly, a film of cold sweat forming on his temples. He raised his hand and smiled, stroking her hair. "Yes, I’m back." "It was thundering. I knew you’d be scared without me here, Chloe." Chloe Preston let go of him, her eyes moist. "Why were you gone for so long? Did... did your grandfather give you a hard time?" "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" she asked, reaching to pull at his suit jacket to check him over. Donovan Xavier caught her hand, squeezing it gently. "It’s nothing. I’m fine." "I just went back for a meal, and my grandfather lectured me for a while longer than expected." "Really?" Chloe Preston remained doubtful. Donovan Xavier leaned in, rubbing his nose against her cheek before kissing her. "Yes, I’m not lying to you." But Chloe Preston felt something was wrong; he was alarmingly hot. She reached out and placed her hand on his forehead. It was burning. "You have a fever!" she exclaimed, instantly growing anxious. Donovan Xavier’s lips were pale, but he tried to reassure her. "I probably just caught a chill. It’s nothing." "You’re burning up! How can it be nothing?" Chloe Preston was overcome with worry. She got out of bed and pulled at him. "I’m taking you to the hospital!" Donovan Xavier pulled her back into his arms. "It’s really nothing. I’ve already been on an IV drip, taken medicine, and had a shot for the fever." "Come, let me hold you while you sleep for a bit. I’ll be fine by morning." Chloe Preston’s eyes were still red, and she didn’t move. Donovan Xavier feigned a lighthearted tone. "What, are you afraid I’ll pass this sickness to you? If you’re disgusted by me, then I’ll..." Before he could finish, Chloe Preston leaned in and hugged him with all her might, as if trying to merge into his very bones and blood. The pain in Donovan Xavier’s back was immense. It felt as if his bandaged wounds had torn open, and he sucked in a sharp, quiet breath. He lay down and held her close, patting her back gently. "Good girl, sleep now. I’m right here, so there’s no need to be afraid." Chloe Preston nodded. Thunder boomed outside, but listening to the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat, she closed her eyes and felt a profound sense of peace. After a while, she seemed to fall asleep. Seeing this, Donovan Xavier shifted slightly and eased his hold on her. He was, after all, afraid of passing the illness to her and didn’t dare to stay too close. He watched her quiet, sleeping face and smiled, subconsciously touching the Buddha Beads on his wrist. Though it wasn’t easy, he had managed to find the beads. He had restrung them with thread, and now they were as good as new. The pain in his back was still tearing at him. Donovan Xavier lifted the quilt, slipped quietly out of bed, found the first-aid kit, and went to the bathroom to change his dressings. He didn’t want her to know he was injured. If she knew, she would definitely cry, and her tears would only make his own heart ache more. The moment he entered the bathroom, Chloe Preston opened her eyes. She hadn’t been asleep at all. She wasn’t a fool; there was a heavy scent of blood and ointment on him. How could she not have smelled it? He’s definitely hiding something from me. Donovan Xavier took off all his clothes and stood before the full-length mirror. His upper body was wrapped in countless layers of gauze, which were now stained red with seeping blood. Both of his knees were covered in dark purple bruises from kneeling, and they ached faintly. He lifted his gaze to the mirror, looking at himself, and gave a faint smile. He’d never been in such a pathetic state. But it was worth it. Donovan Xavier opened the first-aid kit, planning to treat the wounds himself. The bathroom door was suddenly pushed open. Chloe Preston stood right before him, plain as day. This content belongs to novel•fire.net Donovan Xavier froze. "Why are you awake?" He kept his body facing her, determined not to let her see the wounds on his back. Chloe Preston said nothing, stepping inside in her slippers. "Don’t!" Donovan Xavier cried out, stopping her. "I’m going to take a shower. Be good and go out first." "Perfect. I want a shower, too. Let’s take one together," Chloe Preston said as she walked toward him. Seeing this, Donovan Xavier immediately grabbed a nearby shirt and hastily pulled it on. Chloe Preston came to a stop in front of him. "What are you covering up? After all this time, is there any part of you I haven’t seen?" "What, a big man like you has learned to be shy now?" Donovan Xavier cleared his throat. "Come on, be good. Listen to me and go out first." Without another word, Chloe Preston reached out and tore at his shirt like an unreasonable little bandit. She ripped it from him, and her eyes immediately fell on the countless bloody welts covering his back. Each lash was heavier than the last, struck with lethal force. Chloe Preston’s eyes went completely red. Tears streamed down her face as she choked out, "Donovan, did the Xavier Family do this to you?" Donovan Xavier couldn’t bear to see her cry; his own heart ached. He reached out and stroked her hair, comforting her. "It’s nothing. They just hit me a couple of times." ’Just a couple of times’? With wounds so deep the bleeding wouldn’t stop, it must have been excruciatingly painful. Her eyes scarlet, Chloe Preston stepped forward and buried her head in his chest. She was so gentle, terrified of touching his wounds. She cried, her voice muffled against him, "Donovan Xavier, I’m sorry." "This is all because of me. I’m so, so sorry..." Hearing this, Donovan Xavier’s brows drew together. "Nonsense. For you, anything is worth it." "Chloe Preston, if you belittle yourself again, I’m really going to get angry." Chloe Preston fell silent, tears continuing to stream from her eyes. Donovan Xavier reached out, gently wiping them away. "Don’t cry. What’s the big deal if a grown man gets hit a few times? It’s really nothing." "Instead of spending time crying, you could be dressing my wounds." "Dr. Quinn is the most professional. You’ll certainly do a better job than I could." Chloe Preston nodded. Through her tears, she began to treat his wounds, applying ointment and fresh bandages. Watching her, Donovan Xavier felt a little helpless. A while later, Chloe Preston led him out of the bathroom and back to the bed. Since his back was covered in injuries, Donovan Xavier couldn’t lie down and had to rest on his stomach. Chloe Preston snuggled by his side, her eyes still red as she quietly watched him. "Does it hurt a lot?" she choked out, her nose tingling as she fought back fresh tears. Donovan Xavier looked at her, his dark eyes deep. He nodded. "Yes." "But if Chloe gives me a kiss, it might make it feel a little better." As soon as the words left his mouth, Chloe Preston leaned in and kissed his handsome face. "Does that feel any better?" Donovan Xavier frowned. "Just one kiss doesn’t seem to have much effect." Without a second thought, Chloe Preston leaned in and kissed him again. Deciding that still wasn’t enough, she gave him two more in quick succession.