Nick's breathing was warm and even, and Khloe's fingers gently combed through his hair again and again, as if soothing a tired child.
Time passed unknowingly, until the sky outside had darkened completely. Only then was the door to the hospital room nudged open slightly.
Arista had been worried since Khloe hadn't emerged for so long, but when she peeked in, she saw Khloe sitting still on the bed, holding Nick. After a moment, she quietly closed the door and slipped away.
The next day at noon, Khloe awoke to find herself on the small companion bed beside his, tucked under a blanket.
Noticing that Nick's bed was empty, her heart jumped, and she quickly climbed out. Just then, the door opened—Nick walked in, accompanied by his personal assistant carrying two trays of steaming breakfast.
"You're awake already? Didn't sleep well last night, did you?" Nick approached quickly.
He had changed out of his hospital gown into a crisp white shirt, the collar slightly open, with a large black suit jacket draped over his shoulders. Aside from a noticeable thinness, his complexion looked much improved.
"Where did you go? Why didn't you rest…" Khloe's worry spilled out.
"I'm fine," he replied. "I just went to handle the discharge paperwork. Mom and the others went back first. We'll leave after you've eaten."
Seeing her anxiety, Nick moved closer and took her hand. The IV was still taped to his arm, and a fresh bruise marked the back of his hand—he had only recently had it removed.
"How can you be discharged now… this isn't wise," Khloe protested.
"This place isn't restful, and I don't want you suffering alongside me. I've spoken with the doctors—getting injections at home will be the same."
Nick stopped her mid-sentence. She fretted, but he remained calm, handling the moment as if it were no concern of his own. He opened one of the breakfast boxes, serving her first.
VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Billionaire's Match (Khloe and Nick Hunt)