“What exactly is wrong with me?” Mariam asked, frowning slightly.
Apart from feeling weak and somewhat sore, she didn’t think she felt particularly ill.
Her limbs were heavy, and there was a persistent ache throughout her body, but that was all.
“You had a very high fever early this morning,” Lena explained.
“Dr. Varun came to examine you and gave you an antipyretic injection. Your temperature has finally gone down.”
Mariam blinked.
“Dr. Varun?”
The name meant nothing to her.
Every time the doctor had apparently treated her, she had been unconscious.
“He’s the doctor who regularly handles Master’s medical checkups.”
“I see…” she murmured.
“But why did I suddenly get a fever?”
“The doctor said it was partly because of shock.”
“Shock?”
“Yes.” Lena nodded.
“You were attacked by an assassin, Miss. Most people would be terrified after something like that.”
The memories came rushing back to Mariam.
The masked man…The hand wrapped around her throat…The knife glinting in his grasp…Then he tried to kill her with the gun…
The suffocating terror that had left her unable to breathe or think.
Mariam’s hand instinctively rose to her bruised neck, her fingers brushing over the tender skin as if to reassure herself that the nightmare was truly over.
Noticing the change in her expression, Lena continued speaking gently, her voice calm and reassuring.
“It’s alright…it’s over now…Also you hadn’t eaten properly for days…and you were injured when you tried to escape the compound during a snowstorm.”
Mariam immediately turned red.
Compared to the assassin, her failed escape suddenly felt far more embarrassing.
He had even stayed beside her simply because she had asked him to.
The realization left her feeling strangely conflicted.
“Where is he?” she asked.
“At least…I have to thank him for saving me last night from the attacker.”
“Master is having lunch.”
Mariam seemed genuinely surprised.
“He didn’t go to the office…?”
Lena shook her head.
“No… he stayed by your side the entire morning. That’s why he hasn’t gone to the office yet. He plans to leave after lunch.”
“Yes…I want to see him.”
“Alright.”
Mariam pushed the blanket aside and carefully swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
The moment she stood up, pain shot through her ribs.
She immediately winced.
“Miss!”
“I’m fine.”
Lena still moved to support her this time.
“Please don’t be stubborn.”
Last time, she didn’t help her to walk, but after learning that the woman had been attacked the previous night and had come within a hair’s breadth of death, she felt a sense of sympathy.
Mariam reluctantly allowed the assistance.
Together they slowly made their way toward the door.
Eventually, they reached the staircase.
Lena kept a steady arm around her waist as they slowly descended.
***
Jackson was seated at the dining table. New chapters come out on g.com first.
He was reading a document attentively that was spread out before him.
A lunch had been laid out, but most of the food remained untouched.
His attention appeared fixed on the report in his hands, his expression as unreadable and aloof as ever.
Lena entered the room with Mariam behind her.
“Master, the miss wants to speak with you.” Lena’s voice broke the silence.
Jackson lifted his gaze from the papers.
Relief flickered briefly in his eyes when his eyes fell on Mariam, though his face stayed cold and indifferent.
“You may leave, Lena.”
She looked noticeably thinner than before.
Her complexion was still reddish like an apple from the fever.
The bruises around her throat remained visible against her fair skin.
The sight of the bruise made him clench his fists hard.
Damn it…
how does one even bring someone back from the dead?
The assassin was lucky to have died on the spot like that.
Lena bowed her head slightly before retreating from the dining room.
Mariam found herself staring at him.
Jackson Walsh was undeniably handsome.
His dark hair was slightly disheveled from running his hand through it repeatedly while working.
His tanned skin contrasted sharply with the crisp white shirt he wore, the top button left undone.
He had a sharp jawline and those dark brown eyes were very alluring.
“Why are you standing?” Jackson asked.
“There are chairs.”