Rosalind ran back to the hospital room, timing it perfectly to ten minutes, and pushed the door open.
Ulric was true to his word. He didn’t lock it from the inside.
He emerged from the bathroom, dripping wet, leaving a trail of water on the floor.
Rosalind knew he didn’t want to talk now, so she decisively went to the wardrobe to fetch a change of clothes. Without asking for his permission, she began undressing him.
Ulric remained silent, like a puppet, as she removed his soaked clothes one by one and dressed him in fresh ones.
Once everything was sorted out, Rosalind was nearly exhausted.
She wrapped her arms around Ulric’s waist and gently said, “Why don’t you lie down on the bed for a while?”
“Are you not going to ask?”
“I won’t ask.” Rosalind rested her cheek against his chest. “Whatever you’ve done and seen, I won’t ask! Just tell me if you’re hurt anywhere so I can apply some medicine, alright?”
Ulric shook his head, pressing her firmly against his chest with his large hand.
“My heart hurts.”
“Then… should we call Dr. Stewart to have a look?”
“Only you can save me.”
Rosalind vaguely sensed that his unusual behavior might be related to her, but she dared not inquire further.
There were only a few days left of the month-long agreement with Caesar.
She didn’t want to pry into what might happen later. She wanted to spend these last few days peacefully with Ulric…
Rosalind pulled him back to the bed and covered him with a blanket, holding him tightly to provide warmth.
“Get some sleep, okay?”
She didn’t insist on applying medicine anymore. She just wanted him to have a good rest first.
It was unclear when exactly Ulric left in the early hours, but it was certain that he had encountered something troubling.
Suddenly, Ulric’s hand tightened around her waist, pulling her entirely into his embrace.
“If I fall asleep, will you leave?”
“I won’t! I’ll stay right here with you.”
“And what about later?”
Rosalind’s lips moved slightly as she lowered her eyes. “Ulric, don’t ruin your body! Jake and Floyd are still in Sweden. If you fall ill, they won’t have their dad around.”
Jake and Floyd…
Yes.
There were still two children between them!
That would mean Rosalind and he wouldn’t end so easily!
“Rosalind, don’t leave me alone.”
“I won’t.” Rosalind withdrew a hand and stroked his hair. “Sleep now. I promise you’ll see me when you wake up.”
Ulric’s dark eyes were dull and lifeless, lacking their usual vibrancy.
He looked at Rosalind and then turned his head to kiss her.
She didn’t shy away. She tilted her head up to meet his kiss.
No matter how intense or wild it was, she accepted it!
Earlier cold water had chilled Ulric’s body somewhat, causing involuntary shivers. Rosalind removed her own clothes to warm him with her body heat.
After the kiss ended and just as she thought he might take another step forward, he simply panted without doing anything further.
“Ulric, you…”
“I’m going to sleep.”
He closed his eyes, but his eyelashes continued to tremble.
Rosalind raised a hand, intending to touch Ulric’s face, but he grasped her wrist instead.
“I’m sorry…”
“Huh?”
“Rosalind, I’m sorry.”
He had thought he could be Rosalind’s salvation and lead her out of the darkness.
But instead, he was the source of all her disasters.