“…”

Emmeline stared at his bare chest. I wouldn’t have slipped and fallen if I weren’t thinking of licking your bare chest clean!

“I’ll get some ointment for you.”

Abel went to the chest of drawers and found some ointment. He got her to lie on her stomach and gently applied the ointment to the bruise.

He applied ointment on her elbows, back, and waist as well.

Emmeline buried her head in the blanket. She was too embarrassed to look at him.

However, it was too painful, and she could only lie there while Abel helped her.

Abel breathed a sigh of relief when it was done.

He caught a glance of Emmeline’s snow-white skin and enchanting figure.

His eyes widened suddenly. This scene looks familiar! I’ve seen this figure five years ago at the hotel!

It’s that young woman!

Abel suddenly stood up, and the hallucination was gone.

No. That young woman is Alana. Our son is already four years old.

“How am I going to sleep tonight?” Emmeline was sobbing in the blanket. “I can’t lie down. It hurts so bad.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll accompany you. We don’t have to sleep if we don’t want to,” Abel said.

“It’s not even midnight yet, and I’m already very sleepy.”

“I’ll hug you to sleep then,” Abel said. “You won’t have to put pressure on your back.”

“I won’t agree to that!” Emmeline exclaimed. “You’re trying to take advantage of me!”

“Fine, whatever suits you.”

Emmeline tried hard not to move, though her back was killing her.

She soon fell asleep, though there was a stray tear in the corner of her eye.

She began to moan in her sleep from the pain.

Abel carefully picked her up and wrapped her with a blanket.

Emmeline stopped moaning. She curled up in his chest.

The tear on her eyelashes fell onto Abel’s chest.

The next morning, before Emmeline woke up, Abel applied ointment on her bruises once more.

The bruises were fading after a night’s rest.

Emmeline did not wake up. That probably meant it did not hurt as much anymore.

Abel picked a white shirt from his closet and helped her put it on.

She would be embarrassed if she woke up and found herself still naked.

After that, Abel thought it was still early. He lay on the bed and thought of sleeping a little longer.

Usually, at this hour, he would be jogging or working out, but he was not sure when he would be freed.

Emmeline flipped around and rested her head on his chest.

Abel gazed at her indulgently. He hugged her gently and closed his eyes.

Some time later…

Beep! The lockdown was lifted, and the security system was operational once more.

Alana entered through the door in her wheelchair, assisted by Quentin.

Abel was not present at the hospital since yesterday, and he did not answer her calls.

Alana did not know what he was doing, and she was getting worried.

She was afraid that Abel might change his mind and neglect her.

According to Adam, Abel was at the Precipice, so she got Quentin to bring her there.

On the second floor, Alana noticed a crowd gathered in front of the master bedroom.

It was the first time she had been to the Precipice, though she could guess that the room was where Abel was.

“What’s going on?” Alana asked Luca gently.

Luca turned his head and noticed Alana beside him. “Who let you in?” he blurted.

“Why can’t I come here?” Alana said sullenly.

One of the janitors said, “Mr. Elsher, she said she’s Mr. Ryker’s fiancée, so I opened the gate for her.”

Luca waved his hand. “Now that you’re here, I can’t possibly ask you to leave.”

“What’s happening? Why are you all crowded in front of Abel’s room?” Alana asked.

“The security system broke down yesterday. Mr. Ryker is locked inside,” Luca answered.

“How long has he been inside?” Alana asked, feeling slightly comforted.

“Since yesterday evening,” Luca answered.

“Where has he been the whole day then?” Alana was worried again.