As it was late autumn, the sunlight on him was not warm. Still, it created a faint halo around his perfectly chiseled profile, making his face look both handsome and aloof.
However, as Sheena got closer, she noticed the slight discoloration under his thin lips and the paleness on his face, devoid of any trace of color, indicating illness.
“Don’t lie flat. It might press against your back injury,” Sheena advised.
Lost in the sunset, Elijah only noticed her when she approached.
“You’re back”
He quickly sat up, attempting to stand.
“I got lost in thought and lost track of time. Are you hungry? I can make dinner now.”
“No need. Since you’re feeling unwell, consider it a day off for you,” Sheena said, gently guiding him back to a sitting position.
It was not until she touched him that she realized how cold he was. His body felt icy to the touch!
Frowning, she asked, “Why are you so cold? You don’t look so good. Is the back injury still hurting?”
Elijah smiled and reassured her, “It stopped hurting a long time ago. I guess I was lying down for too long, but I’m fine. A couple of days of rest, and I’ll be back to normal.”
Sheena did not buy it.
His speech lacked energy.
Why did it seem like he was putting up a front?
“Stay seated. Let me check the injury,” Sheema said, reaching to unbutton his suit jacket.
Elijah clutched his collar tightly, refusing to let go.
“The injury is really fine. It’s almost healed. Besides, it’s wrapped in bandages. Even if you strip off my clothes, you won’t see anything.”
Sheena begrudgingly released her grip.
Without support, Elijah’s body sank slightly, and he quickly used his hand to brace against the recliner.
Noticing Sheena’s watchful gaze, he smirked and commented, “Rare to see you care about me like this. It’s nice.”
Sheena rolled her eyes but refrained from making any sarcastic remarks. Instead, she put on a serious expression and said, “You know I don’t like owing favors. Since you saved me this time, I’ll allow you to make one request. What do you want?”
“Anything, really?” Elijah met her gaze with a glint in his dark eyes.
Sheena added, “Except for remarriage and any emotional requests. I’ll try my best to fulfill any other requests. So, go ahead.”
Elijah just smiled.
She knew he only wanted one thing…
Well, considering his limited time, he decided to play along.
“Okay, stand still.”
Sheena nodded and stood firm.
Elijah’s hand left the recliner, and he boldly slid his hand through her coat, tightly encircling her slender waist, saying, “Just let me hold you for a while. That’s all.”
Her body was warm, while Elijah’s was icy cold. In that embrace, he felt a sense of warmth enter his heart.
“That’s it?” Sheena was a bit surprised.
His request was so simple?
“Mmhmm.”
Sheena stood still, her body rigid and straight, allowing him to obediently rest his head against her abdomen, his hands tightly wrapping her waist. However, after standing in silence for a while, she suddenly felt her hands hanging awkwardly, not knowing where to place them. Since it was his request, it did not seem right not to reciprocate.
Subconsciously, Sheena extended her hands toward his back, attempting a ‘pretend hug.‘ However, midway through, she hesitated. Thinking about his back injury, her fingers froze for a minute before changing course to pat his head.
Elijah’s jet–black hair was neatly trimmed, soft, and smooth.
Chapter 344
9/2/2
As Sheena continued patting, she could not stop herself. It was like she could not put an end to
- it.
Meanwhile, Elijah, being patted on the head, furrowed his brow.
Why did it feel like… Sheena was petting a dog?
Realizing this, he released himself from her embrace. He chuckled softly and said, “Alright, my request has been fulfilled. You don’t owe me anything now.”
Sheena withdrew her hand from patting his head. After a moment of contemplation, she took out a small, exquisite black–gold gift box from her coat pocket and handed it to him.
“This is the thank–you gift I intended for you.”
Elijah raised an eyebrow in suspicion, wondering if her earlier offer to make a request was just
a test.
Was she trying to see if he would make excessive or unreasonable demands?
He took the gift box from Sheena, his fingertips trembling slightly as he untied the ribbon. Inside was a slender syringe, similar to the one used for the modified drug he had been injected with before.
“What’s this?” Elijah frowned, his gaze complex as he looked at her.
Sheena calmly explained, “The modified drug I injected you with before is called Compound 023. This is the antidote for it. It’s painless, and your body will quickly return to normal after the injection.”
“Why?” Elijah murmured, suppressing the suffocating feeling in his chest. He asked, “Didn’t we agree… to follow the contract until the end of the term? Are you still… trying to draw a clear line between us?”
