His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 187

"...You're running a fever. Sit up and take these." She brought the pills right to his lips.

In a feverish haze, Archer obediently parted his lips and swallowed the medicine, drinking a few sips of water from the glass she held for him.

Then, just as she was about to pull her hand back, his long fingers clamped firmly around her wrist.

"My head is killing me."

His brow was deeply furrowed, his voice so raw and raspy it was barely a whisper.

Virginia stared down at his grip on her wrist, but she didn't yank her hand away.

"Let go. I'll massage it for you."

He released her immediately. She first pulled out her phone and quickly called her assistant, Holly, instructing her to rearrange the morning's appointments. Then, she stepped behind the sofa, reaching out to press her fingertips against his temples.

Her soft fingers began to trace slow, deliberate circles over his skin.

Gradually, the tight lines around Archer's forehead began to smooth out, and his breathing fell into a steady, rhythmic cadence.

After a long time, assuming he had drifted back to sleep, she finally prepared to pull her hands away. Suddenly, his hoarse voice broke the silence.

"Virginia."

"...Yes. I'm here."

He didn't say another word.

And neither did she.

Half an hour later, the man on the sofa was breathing deeply and evenly. Virginia quietly stood up and walked into the kitchen.

She quickly prepared a comforting bowl of chicken noodle soup, dropping in a perfectly poached egg and scattering a handful of fresh scallions over the top.

By the time she carried the steaming bowl back to the living room, Archer was awake.

The soft blanket was neatly folded at the edge of the sofa. He sat leaning against the cushions, his face still devoid of color, but the feverish haze in his eyes had significantly cleared.

He watched her set the bowl down on the coffee table, his gaze pausing for a long moment.

Chicken noodle soup. A poached egg. Scallions...

It was the exact same meal she used to make for him years ago.

They were pressed together so tightly there wasn't a millimeter of space between them. She could hear the heavy, thudding rhythm of their heartbeats—beating just a fraction too fast.

Neither of them said a word. It was as if they were both desperately clinging to this stolen, fragile moment of warmth.

A week passed, and just like before, Archer completely vanished.

Virginia's life smoothly snapped back into its flawless routine, save for one tiny detail that felt entirely out of place.

"Dr. Caldwell, we got three new VIP clients this week. They're all C-suite executives."

Holly flipped through the appointment schedule, her voice vibrating with barely contained excitement.

"One of the wives even specifically requested a long-term therapy package with you."

Virginia took the appointment sheet and scanned it.

Just like the clients from the past few days, all three new names had 'friend's referral' listed in the source column.

"Did they mention who the referral was from?"

Holly shook her head. "They all just said a mutual friend recommended you, but they weren't at liberty to say who."