Chapter 23
The doorbell rang.
Juliet was wrapped in a blanket, curled up on the couch. She thought it was Ariane and struggled to get up and open the door.
But standing outside was Zachary. He went wearing a light gray trench coat, standing tall and refined, holding several thermos containers in his hand.
“Zach?” Juliet looked genuinely surprised.
“You didn’t sound right on the phone. I was worried, so I came to check on you.” Zachary’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment before a gentle smile spread across his lips.
He walked in naturally, set the containers down on the dining table, then turned back and lightly touched her forehead with the back of his hand. “You don’t have a fever. Why do you
look so bad?”
“I’m fine. I just caught a mild cold that triggered gastritis.” Juliet stepped back a little, lowering her eyes.
“Gastritis?” Zachary studied her pale face for a few seconds, and a flicker of darkness flashed in his light gray eyes.
She was lying. But he didn’t press her. Instead, his smile softened even more. “Then you must
rest.”
He opened one of the containers, and the warm, comforting scent of chicken soup instantly filled the room. “I made you some chicken noodle soup. It’s easy on the stomach.”
He ladled out a bowl and pushed it toward her. It was a hearty, appetizing bowl of golden soup speckled with various colors of different vegetables.
“Eat it while it’s still warm,” he said.
“Thank you.”
Juliet took small spoonfuls. The warm soup slid into her stomach, easing some of the chill she felt earlier. The noodles were soft yet chewy, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. For some
reason, it didn’t trigger her nausea at all.
“Thank you, Zach, for coming all this way.”
“You’re still being so polite with me?” Zachary sat across from her, resting his chin on one
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hand, smiling as he watched her eat. His gaze was focused, not invasive, yet impossible to
ignore.
Juliet grew a little self-conscious, her cheeks warming as she lowered her head and ate faster.
“Zach, I’m really sorry about the work.” She couldn’t help but apologize.
“Your health is more important.”
The bowl was soon empty. Zachary immediately scooped her a second serving. Like the most considerate older brother, he took care of her meticulously.
After she finished eating, he stood up and began clearing the dishes, carrying them into the
kitchen.
“I can do the dishes!” Juliet hurriedly got up, only to be stopped.
“You’re still sick. Sit down,” Zachary said as he moved around the kitchen with ease.
Feeling awkward about lying down, Juliet leaned against the doorway to keep him company.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, outlining him in a soft glow. His tall, straight back radiated an invisible sense of security.
After washing the dishes, Zachary even picked up a mop and started cleaning the floor.
Juliet couldn’t stop him. She could only sit on the couch, watching his long legs move back and forth through her apartment. Slowly, her eyelids began to droop.
When she opened her eyes again, she saw her clothes being folded by his slim fingers.
“Zach, you really don’t have to!” Blushing, Juliet tried to get up, but a sudden wave of dizziness sent her tilting sideways. She let out a small scream.
“Careful!” Zachary reacted instantly. His long arm shot out, pulling her unsteady body straight into his arms.
Her soft frame collided with his solid, warm chest. Her world spun, and her breath filled with that clean, woody scent again.
“Did you hurt yourself?”
Juliet’s cheek pressed against the fine fabric of his shirt. She could hear his steady heartbeat, thudding once after another. The sound reverberated in her eyes.
She tried to stand, but her limbs felt like cotton, completely soft and weak. She was practically hanging off him.
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Zachary didn’t give her a chance to struggle. His arm tightened around her waist, the other slipping under her knees.
The next second, Juliet gasped as her body lifted off the ground. He had swept her bridal carry.
up
in a
Instinctively, she looped her arms around his neck, and her heartbeat fell completely out of rhythm.
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