The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 98

Lavinia let out an exasperated sigh and stood up. "I'll go upstairs and grab mine. Wait right here."

She had barely turned around when his fingers wrapped around her wrist again.

Looking back, she saw him staring at her, completely silent.

His hand was still radiating intense heat. His grip wasn't tight, but he wasn't letting go either.

Lavinia paused, letting out a helpless, tender laugh.

This man always carried himself with such untouchable, solitary pride, yet even he had moments where he desperately needed someone.

She softened her voice. "I'm just getting some medicine. I'll be right back down."

He watched her for two solid seconds before his fingers finally loosened.

Lavinia hurried upstairs, dug the thermometer and fever reducers out of her kit, and then—after a moment of hesitation—tossed a change of clothes into a small tote bag.

When she returned to his apartment, she knelt by the sofa and handed him the thermometer.

He took it obediently, tucking it under his arm.

She reached out to check his forehead again—still scorching. Her hand trailed down to the back of his neck, finding the same terrifying heat.

Her fingers were naturally cool. The moment she touched him, his eyelids fluttered shut in relief.

Nemo paced anxiously around their feet, his tail tucked between his legs, his big brown eyes shimmering with worry.

"It's okay," Lavinia whispered, ducking her head to stroke the dog's ears. "Your dad is going to be fine. I'm a doctor, remember?"

Leaning against the backrest, the faintest ghost of a smile touched Charley's lips, so brief it seemed like he was trying to hide it from her.

Lavinia popped a couple of pills from the blister pack, set them on the side table, and poured a glass of warm water to place next to them.

Her movements were practiced, steady, and incredibly gentle—like a professional walking the hospital wards. She was completely composed and endlessly patient.

The thermometer beeped. She pulled it out and checked the digital display: 101.6 degrees.

"Take the meds first." She passed him the water.

He took the glass, swallowed the pills, drank a little more water, and leaned back heavily into the cushions.

Lavinia sat down on the floor beside him. She didn't leave.

The living room was utterly quiet. Nemo settled onto the rug, resting his chin on his paws, blinking slowly as he watched them both.

A soft breeze rustled the curtains, letting a silver sliver of moonlight slip through the gap.

The moonlight poured across the room like a sheet of silver silk. She was asleep, curled up on the rug directly beside the sofa, resting her head against the cushion right next to him.

His lips parted slightly. He slowly lifted his hand, his shadow falling across her delicate features.

His fingers hovered over her skin, brushing through the air. One stroke, two strokes, three...

If it hadn't been for the shipwreck all those years ago, what would have become of them?

He had always been drastically different from kids his own age. His parents thought he was far too brooding and solitary, so they dragged him on a mandatory family vacation to break him out of his shell.

During the half-month cruise, the other kids quickly banded together, playing on the decks every day. But he kept to himself, leaning against the railing, watching the endless horizon.

Then, one day, a little girl appeared beside him.

He couldn't even remember what they had talked about, but she genuinely seemed to love watching the sky and the ocean with him.

His parents eventually noticed and asked if he had finally made a friend. He thought about it for a second, lowering his book just enough to look at them. "I think you should go introduce yourselves to her parents."

They stared at him in shock before finally processing the demand. That very day, they packed up some gifts, knocked on the Joplins' cabin door, and the two families became fast friends.

And then...

The only vow he had ever sworn in his life was to ensure her happiness for the rest of hers.