Chapter 4

Clara's POV

Every muscle in my body tensed instantly. I forced down the nausea rising to my throat.

"I just took them." I heard my own hollow voice.

"Why did you pull out your suitcase? Aren't you working in the ER tomorrow?" Frederic's gaze moved past my shoulder to the half-open suitcase.

He frowned and released one hand to pull open my desk drawer.

Inside was the train ticket purchase confirmation I'd just printed.

I grabbed his wrist abruptly. The instant our skin touched, sticky revulsion overwhelmed me. My face turned pale, fingertips ice-cold.

"Not feeling well?" Frederic grasped my hand in return, using his other hand to check my forehead. "Why are you sweating so much?"

"I did back-to-back shifts in the ER for over ten hours. I'm tired." I turned my head away from his hand. "I'm looking for thick clothes to wash. The season's changing soon."

Frederic didn't probe further, just scooped me up and tucked me into bed. "Tomorrow I'll have someone schedule a full physical exam and give you two days off to rest properly. Your health can't afford any mistakes."

He emphasized that last sentence. I closed my eyes, pretending to sleep.

That night, I had a nightmare.

In the dream, the troublemaking family member's knife didn't strike Frederic. It plunged straight into my chest.

Blood gushed out. Frederic, wearing a surgical mask, approached with blood collection tubes, smiling. "Your blood is perfect for Lydia."

"No!" I cried and struggled.

A hazy voice drifted through the dream.

"Clara, don't be afraid. I'm here." Frederic pulled me into his arms, patting my back like comforting a child, kissing away the cold sweat on my forehead.

Like a dying fish, I bit down hard on his forearm.

Frederic grunted but didn't push me away. Instead, he held me tighter.

I slowly released my jaw, tasting rusty blood in my mouth.

I numbly pushed him away, staring at the teeth marks on his arm, realizing I didn't even have the strength to push him off.

"Had a nightmare? Don't be afraid. I'm right here with you." He continued playing the perfect fiancé.

The next morning, before leaving, he left warm water and pills on the nightstand, then sent a message reminding me to pick up my latest checkup report from hematology.

Expressionless, I flushed all those expensive pills down the toilet.

Such meticulous care for a walking blood bank about to go under the knife. His patience was truly admirable.

Well, he had been acting for three years after all.

I went to the hospital alone. The head of the physical examination department saw my report and joked with a smile. "Clara, you're very healthy. Those loving nutritious meals Frederic has delivered every day haven't been wasted."

Yes, excellent condition.

I took the report back to my office. Passing by the VIP ward, I stopped inexplicably.

Through a palm-width crack in the door, I could see inside clearly.

Frederic sat on the edge of the bed.

He held a bowl in his hands.

Lydia leaned against soft pillows, face pale.

Frederic scooped up a spoonful of chicken soup and blew on it to cool it down.

He brought the spoon to Lydia's lips.

"Is it too hot?" His voice was low and gentle.

Lydia shook her head, swallowed the soup, then reached up to grab the corner of his clothing.

Frederic naturally set down the bowl and pulled out a wet wipe to carefully dab the corners of her mouth.

His movements were practiced and natural, full of tender care.

My heart ached watching this. So this was Frederic's truly devoted side.

"Frederic, I'm really scared. What if Clara changes her mind? After all, bone marrow extraction isn't a small burden on the body."

That was Lydia's voice, delicate, aggrieved, carrying a pitiful worry.

Frederic gripped her hand in return.

He pressed her hand against his own cheek.

"Don't overthink it." He tapped Lydia's nose.

Lydia leaned into his embrace.

Frederic extended his arm around her shoulders, chin resting on top of her head.

"She won't back out." Frederic's voice was certain, yet somehow carried a hint of heaviness even he hadn't noticed.

"Once this bone marrow transplant is over, I'll give her a substantial compensation in my personal capacity, and I'll transfer the villa in the south district to her name. She saved you. I won't mistreat her. Ensuring she's financially secure for the rest of her life is the least I can do."