Earlier, Albina was worried that Umberto’s wound would easily inflame and cause fever if not treated in time.
The doctor was also worried about it, so he had asked for them to be hospitalized for observation.
So Albina had not been able to sleep peacefully. Although she was already so sleepy that she could not open her eyelids, she was still conscious.
In the middle of the night, when she heard the sound of breathing in the next bed, increasingly agitated, she opened her eyes wearily. In the dim light, he saw Umberto curled up under the covers, his face flushed and his body trembling continuously.
His face was clearly flushed, but his lips were white, looking extremely contrasted.
Albina violently climbed down from the bed, all drowsiness disappearing. She hurried over to him in her bare feet, felt his forehead and verified that it was just as she had thought.
Umberto had a fever.
She rang the doorbell hurriedly and wiped his face with a damp towel before the doctor and nurse arrived.
Umberto opened his eyes in a daze. His eyelids felt hot from the fever, and when he spoke, his voice was already muffled:
-Albina?
-It’s me. Don’t talk, you have a fever,” Albina’s voice was soft. The doctor will be here soon, don’t be afraid.
She grasped Umberto’s big hand tightly. He was physically strong and, normally, when she held his hand, she could feel that his body temperature was a little higher than hers, and this time, because of the heat, his whole hand was hot.
Umberto had no strength in his limbs. He could feel Albina holding his fingers and tried to talk to her not to worry, but his throat was so dry that he couldn’t make a sound.
The doctor was not long in arriving. He took her temperature and, after a series of tests, told Albina:
-This is a fever caused by an inflammation of the wound. We have given the patient antibiotics. When the inflammation goes down, the temperature will also go down. The patient is in better health and will heal a little faster than the others.
Albina listened and turned her head to look at Umberto. Seeing his cheeks flushed and weak, she was still worried.
She had never seen him like this.
He usually acted strong. No matter what kind of hardships he had to face, fearlessly. Even after being so badly hurt in the forest before, he could still smile and comfort her.
The tall body was now curled up from the cold. He looked much thinner than usual, and Albina was worried.
After listening to the doctor say a few precautions, she moved a stool and sat down next to Umberto’s bed, holding his hand tightly.
He would not sleep tonight. He would stay here and watch until the fever subsided.
It was true what the doctor said. Umberto used to exercise and had great bodily endurance. Once the medicine was administered, he quickly regained his normal body temperature.
Albina was relieved to see that his body temperature was no longer elevated and that the abnormal flush on his face had disappeared.
As soon as she relaxed, she felt exhausted. Finally she could not resist and lay down on the edge of the bed, falling into a deep sleep.
In the morning, the sun slowly rose and its light crept through the window.
Umberto slowly opened his eyes. Although he had slept little last night, he was in a good mood.
He tried to move his hand, but could not, and then realized that Albina was holding his hand tightly.
She was lying on the edge of the hospital bed, her little face flushed from sleep.
Her face was turned sideways in his direction and he could see the beautifully defined side of her face, with the delicate eyebrows, long eyelashes, high nose and pink lips. The sunlight on her body made her skin even more crystalline.
The whole person seemed to glow.
Umberto seemed frozen, and only when Ruben pushed open the door to the room with his things did he avert his eyes.
When Ruben saw that he was awake, he wanted to greet him enthusiastically.
Umberto gave him a reassuring nod and pointed to Albina.
Only then did Ruben realize that Albina was sleeping on the edge of the bed. He put down what was in his hand and, at Umberto’s gesture, helped him take his hand out of Albina’s palm.
-Why is Mrs. Santangel sleeping here? -Ruben asked in a low voice.
Umberto carefully carried her to the bed and tucked her in before answering in a low voice:
-I had a fever in the middle of the night, and she’s been here to take care of me.
As he spoke, he kept looking at Albina, tenderly.
Although he was not very conscious last night, he still remembered Albina wiping his face with a wet towel, holding his hand to soothe him, and asking the doctor for advice.
Ruben found this scene very affectionate.
“No wonder Mr. Santangel liked Mrs. Santangel so much. She is so good to him.”
-Let’s go out and talk,” said Umberto, leaving the room.
Ruben grabbed a box of rice soup from the table and followed him.
A few minutes later, the two were sitting on a stone bench outside the hospital.
Ruben handed the rice in his hand:
-Mr. Santangel, eat something.
“You’ve only shared a loaf of bread with Mrs. Santangel last night, so you’re definitely hungry.”
Umberto didn’t refuse. Although he was already extremely hungry, he still ate slowly.
Shortly after finishing the rice, he wiped the corner of his mouth and looked at Ruben:
-We have prepared it before, it’s time for it.
Ruben froze for a moment:
-So soon?
At these words, Umberto became indifferent:
-Since they have done such a thing, they have to take the consequences.
Ruben looked at his grim appearance, and had only one sentence in his head:
Whoever broke his boundary would not end well.
This time, Jaime and Yolanda had not only violated his boundary, but had even tried to kill him.
Ruben was quick to say:
-Yes, I’ll report back right now. By the way…
Ruben thought of something and said to Umberto:
-Sergio and the others went to Familia Seco early. I’m afraid they have already arrived.
Umberto remembered that after being rescued yesterday, Sergio said he would do them justice. He hadn’t expected to go so soon.
He sketched a smile and his face was no longer as somber as before.
-Did you bring the fish porridge? -Umberto asked suddenly.
Ruben froze for a moment and shook his head:
-No.
Then Umberto indicated to him:
-When Albina wakes up, go buy one and bring it here.
Her favorite soup was fish soup, and if she could eat it as soon as she woke up, she would definitely be very happy.
Seeing Mr. Santangel leave with a smile on his face, Ruben cleaned out the lunchbox as he sighed.
“Mr. Santangel has really fallen in love. I’m afraid you’ll be marrying her soon.”
When Sergio arrived at Familia Seco with his son and daughter-in-law, the front door was still locked and the lights were not yet on.
Sergio sent someone directly to knock on the door.
The doorman looked at the people outside, especially the serious-looking Sergio, who was in the center, and hurried to inform his Selor.
Alfredo Seco was still asleep and was awakened:
-Why does this family come so early in the morning without even saying anything in advance? How rude!
Then, listening to the man’s report:
-I don’t know what happened, but everyone had a particularly horrible expression. Even Sergio introduced himself.
Alfredo hurriedly changed his clothes, hurried downstairs, and saw that Sergio had already entered with his companions. Looking at Alfredo coming down, Sergio snorted coldly:
-You slept well last night, didn’t you? All of us from Familia Santangel were awake all night.