Chapter 1540
Caleb organized the medications and explained everything meticulously. "These are oral meds, three times a day after meals," he said.
Caleb noticed that Ben's eyes were fixed on Jamie. At that moment, his face was filled with worry and urgency.
"It's just a fever," Caleb reassured. "The shot's been given, the IV is running, and the meds are sorted. What else is there to worry about? I'll write out the steps for the IV change-"
Before Caleb could finish his sentence, Ben shot him a sharp look that cut him off immediately.
Fine, Caleb thought, throwing his hands up mentally. He would stay until the IV was done. Better that than risk being bombarded with Ben's relentless calls later if anything went wrong. Caleb simply wasn't up for that kind of torture. Although Jamie on the bed hadn't woken up, Caleb didn't want to stick around any longer. He had no interest in watching Ben fuss over her like some lovesick fool.
Not long after Caleb left, Jamie stirred. Seeing Ben sitting by her bedside, she blinked, thinking she must be hallucinating.
"Ben?" she croaked, her voice hoarse.
Instinctively, she reached out. To her surprise, Ben clasped her hand in his. The warmth of his palm against hers felt too real to be a dream.
Jamie froze, her throat tight with unspoken words. Why was he here, this man who hated her, who once seemed to want nothing more than her ruin?
"I..." she tried to speak, but her throat burned, and her voice faltered.
"Don't talk," Ben interrupted, his tone uncharacteristically soft. "Your fever hit nearly 104 degrees. Do you want water? I'll get you some."
For a moment, Jamie thought she saw something familiar in his gaze. It was a tenderness that reminded her of the man she once loved. For a moment, it felt like they were back in the days when Ben cared for her with an unwavering devotion.
True to his word, Ben moved to help her sit up. She was too weak to manage on her own, but he gently lifted her and propped pillows behind her back to make her more comfortable. Then he poured a glass of water, only to realize it wasn't warm enough, and fetched fresh hot water instead.
Though confined to this room, Jamie noticed that Ben had ensured she lacked for nothing. Her surroundings were as comfortable as they could be. "Thank you," Jamie murmured as she sipped the warm water. The relief was instant, soothing her parched throat.
Ben was taken aback. "Thank you" was the last thing he expected to hear from her.
"You don't need to thank me," he replied, his voice low and measured. "If you died here, it would just create more trouble for me."
His words were practical, almost cold, but Jamie could hear the faint undercurrent of something deeper. She didn't dare read into it.
"Regardless," Jamie said softly, "you helped me. If it weren't for you, I might have burned up."
Her gratitude seemed to weigh on Ben in ways he hadn't anticipated. For a moment, he was silent, his gaze dark and unreadable.
“Ben," Jamie began cautiously, "your fiancée and your mother both
despise me. If you don't let meg!.!!
and this situation gets out, it could cost you your law license."
"Wouldn't that be a good thing for you?" Ben countered.
If his law license were revoked, it would mean serious consequences. At that point, Jamie could easily turn the tables on him.