The dressing had already begun to loosen.

Dark crimson stains had spread through the white gauze, the blood having long since soaked through the layers meant to contain it.

Aaron set the emergency medical kit on the table and flipped it open.

"You’ve lost this much blood, which means the wound definitely tore open again." His tone carried equal parts irritation and concern. "I told you to rest for a couple of days, but you never listen. Maybe after suffering through a second round of stitches, you’ll finally learn your lesson."

Dylan ignored the lecture entirely. He simply leaned back against the sofa, eyes closed.

The color had drained from his face, leaving his skin noticeably paler than usual. A sheen of perspiration glistened across his forehead, betraying the pain he refused to acknowledge.

Aaron offered him an assessing glance. For once, he held back the teasing remarks.

Dylan looked genuinely unwell.

Carefully, Aaron removed the blood-soaked bandages, and the injury beneath them came into view.

The knife wound stretched more than six inches across Dylan’s abdomen, an ugly slash that still looked vicious despite having been stitched.

Now the sutures were torn apart in several places.

Fresh blood obscured the damaged flesh, making it impossible to see the full extent of the injury without cleaning it first.

Even Aaron, who had spent five years serving in peacekeeping forces and had witnessed wounds far worse than most people could imagine, felt a chill run down his spine.

An injury of this severity should have required intravenous antibiotics and strict bed rest after surgery.

Instead, after the wound had been stitched the previous night, Dylan had accepted a single anti-inflammatory injection and proceeded as though nothing had happened.

The difference between that and courting death was negligible.

Aaron released a quiet sigh.

"I heard from Madeline that Elise asked for a divorce."

Dylan’s eyes remained closed. A moment later, he gave a faint nod of acknowledgment.

The movement of Aaron’s hands paused. He lifted his gaze toward Dylan.

"I accidentally told Madeline about your injury."

At those words, Dylan slowly opened his eyes. The exhaustion in them seemed endless.

"What else did you tell her?"

"Nothing," Aaron laughed helplessly.

"She tried her best to pry information out of me, but the second I suggested she ask you herself, she immediately backed down." Amusement flickered across his face. "Honestly, Dylan, your popularity level is lower than I expected."

That comment earned no response, Dylan simply closed his eyes again.

Seeing that he had no interest in conversation, Aaron lowered his head and resumed repairing the torn stitches.

The room fell silent, only the faint sounds of medical instruments disturbed the stillness.

Several minutes passed before Dylan finally spoke. His voice was low and rough with fatigue.

"The first time Elise met me, she said the exact same thing."

Aaron’s hands slowed.

Dylan’s gaze remained fixed on nothing. His thoughts had already drifted back through the years. Back to a little girl who had burst into his world like a ray of sunlight.

At eight years old, Elise had already been dazzling and overflowing with life.

Her small frame concealed astonishing strength.

That day, she had charged into a group of wealthy boys who had been tormenting him and unleashed a surprisingly polished sequence of self-defense moves.

The result had been devastating.

Moments later, the boys who had bullied him were crying, screaming, and scrambling away in utter humiliation.

After finishing them off, she had walked over and crouched in front of him.

Her large eyes sparkled like stars.

She studied him carefully before speaking.

"You’re really handsome," she had declared with complete sincerity. "So how is it possible that nobody likes you?"

Her voice had been sweet and clear, carrying the spoiled confidence of a young girl who had never been denied anything.

Yet while she spoke, her small hands gently brushed the dust from his clothes.

Then she smiled.

The memory of that smile remained as vivid as if it had happened yesterday.

"Well, I guess being too handsome is your problem," she had announced. "Don’t worry. I’ll protect you from now on. I’ll teach you how to fight, and if you stick with me, nobody will ever dare bully you again."

That had been their first meeting.

Elise believed he had forgotten it long ago. The truth was that he remembered every detail.

He remembered the sunlight dancing through her hair. He remembered the confidence shining in her eyes. Most of all, he remembered that she had always been a wonderful girl.

If only the kidnapping five years ago had never happened. If only she had never met him. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

A sudden pain speared through his chest. The force of it felt almost physical.

Dylan’s eyes snapped open. Cold sweat coated his forehead. The room around him swam briefly before coming back into focus.

Aaron’s voice reached him through the haze.

"You’re awake."

Relief flashed across his features before irritation quickly replaced it.

"You were unconscious for nearly half an hour."

Then he noticed Dylan trying to sit up.

"Don’t move." His voice sharpened instantly. "The IV needle is still in your hand, and your fever is climbing. You’re finishing this entire bag of antibiotics whether you like it or not."

Dylan settled back against the sofa.

One large hand swept across his forehead, wiping away the cold sweat.

His throat bobbed painfully.

The fever had spread through his body like wildfire, leaving every muscle heavy and aching.

When he finally spoke, his voice emerged hoarse and strained, "Help me back to the bedroom."

"You really shouldn’t be moving right now."

Aaron knew exactly why he was insisting.

It had nothing to do with comfort. Everything had to do with Elise.

"Mrs. Lander is watching over her," he said. "If you’re still worried, I can call Dr. Becker over right now."

Dylan fell silent. After several moments of consideration, he finally gave a faint nod.

"Alright."

Aaron released another weary sigh.

Pulling out his phone, he opened his contacts list and began searching for Dr. Becker’s number.