Late that night…
Jay’s fever climbed even higher.
She shifted restlessly under the blanket, her face flushed and damp with sweat.
“…It’s so hot…”
The head maid rushed downstairs.
“Sir!
Mrs.
Watson’s fever is getting worse!”
Keifer immediately put down the file he was reading.
“What?”
He was upstairs within seconds.
The doctor was checking Jay’s temperature again.
“104°F.”
Keifer’s expression darkened.
“Why wasn’t I called sooner?”
The maids lowered their heads.
“We thought the medicine would work…”
“I don’t pay you to think.”
His cold voice made everyone fall silent.
“I pay you to inform me.”
“Leave.”
The staff quickly left the room.
Jay was barely awake.
Her eyes slowly opened.
“Keifer…?”
“I’m here.”
She tried to sit up.
He gently pushed her back onto the pillow.
“Stay still.”
“I can walk…”
“No.”
“I just need water.”
“I’ll get it.”
She reached for the glass herself.
Her hand trembled.
The glass slipped.
Before it could fall—
Keifer caught it.
“You can’t even hold a glass.”
She pouted weakly.
“My hands are sleepy.”
He sighed.
“You really become a baby when you’re sick.”
She frowned.
“I’m not a baby.”
“You are.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
She looked away dramatically.
“Hmph.”
Despite himself…
The corner of his lips lifted.
Just then, the doctor prepared an injection.
“It will bring the fever down faster.”
Jay immediately hid behind Keifer.
“No.”
Keifer looked down.
“…Jay.”
“I don’t like injections.”
“The doctor isn’t going to hurt you.”
She shook her head repeatedly.
“No.”
The doctor smiled awkwardly.
“Mrs.
Watson…”
She clutched the back of Keifer’s shirt.
“I’m suddenly feeling much better.”
Keifer looked at the doctor.
“Give us a minute.”
The doctor stepped outside.
Keifer turned back to her.
“You’ve faced me without fear…”
“You danced in the rain…”
“You argue with me every day…”
“But you’re scared of one injection?”
She nodded miserably.
“It has a needle.”
He almost smiled.
Almost.
“Come on.”
“No.”
He folded his arms.
“Mrs.
Watson.”
She hid her face against his shoulder.
“I’m sleeping.”
“You are talking.”
“I’m talking in my sleep.”
For a second…
The ruthless Devil had no idea what to do.
He let out a quiet breath.
“Jay…”
His voice softened.
“It’ll only take a second.”
She peeked at him with watery eyes.
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
“…You’ll stay?”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
She slowly nodded.
The doctor returned.
As soon as Jay saw the syringe—
She grabbed Keifer’s hand tightly.
“So dramatic,” he muttered.
“I’m brave.”
“No.”
“I’m brave except for needles.”
He gave her a look.
“Close your eyes.”
She obeyed.
The injection was over in seconds.
“…Done,” the doctor said.
Jay opened one eye.
“Really?”
“Really.”
She looked shocked.
“That wasn’t so bad.”
Keifer smirked.
“I told you.”
The doctor packed his bag.
“She’ll recover soon.
Just make sure she rests.”
As he reached out to check Jay’s forehead one last time—
Keifer stepped between them without thinking.
“I’ll do it.”
The doctor blinked.
“I was only—”
“I said…”
His voice became icy.
“I’ll do it.”
The doctor slowly withdrew his hand.
“Of course.”
Felix, standing near the door, raised an eyebrow.
“There it is…”
The doctor left the room.
Felix followed, trying not to smile.
Jay looked up at Keifer.
“You scared the poor doctor.”
“He was touching you.”
“He was checking my temperature.”
“I can do that.”
She stared at him.
“…You’re jealous of my doctor?”
“I’m not jealous.”
“You just dismissed him because he touched my forehead.”
“He had already finished.”
She smiled weakly.
“You’re impossible.”
“And you’re my wife.”
She froze.
It was the first time he had said those words without mentioning the contract.
Keifer gently brushed a few strands of hair away from her warm forehead.
His hand lingered for a moment.
Then he quietly placed a cool cloth on her head.
“You don’t listen.”
“You don’t take care of yourself.”
“So from now on…”
His eyes met hers.
“If you get sick…”
“You tell me first.”
Jay smiled sleepily.
“…Are you ordering me?”
“Yes.”
“…Or worrying about me?”
Keifer looked away.
“I’m making sure my wife doesn’t collapse again.”
Jay couldn’t help but smile.
She closed her eyes.
“…Good night…
Devil.”
Keifer adjusted the blanket around her.
His voice was barely above a whisper.
“Sleep.”
“I’ll stay here.”
And for the rest of the night, the ruthless Devil of Manila never left the chair beside her bed, watching every rise and fall of her breathing until her fever finally began to fade.