“Come on.” John said nonchalantly. “Just because I have a girlfriend doesn’t mean I can’t have friends. You’re much more important than others.”

Ashley felt both warmed and exasperated. “If your crush hears you say that, your chances of confessing will be ruined.”

“So be it. I’m not eager to confess anyway.” John mumbled, looking uncomfortable.

Although they pretended to be a couple, Ashley knew that John had been secretly in love with someone for a long time. For some unknown reason, he hadn’t confessed yet, claiming he wasn’t worthy of her.

Ashley hoped his secret love would succeed.

“Alright, you should take care of yourself first! You said you wanted to be a dancer, but look how careless you are with your body!” John scolded her, shaking his head.

Ashley grinned sheepishly.

Noticing the dried blood on her hand, John took a wet towel. “Come on, let me clean that for you.”

He gently held Ashley’s delicate, pale wrist.

Despite doing a lot of manual labor, her hands were soft and smooth, without a hint of calluses.

Her slender bones made her appear thin, but her skin was surprisingly plump and tender, with a faint rose scent that was unusually pleasant to touch.

“Ashley, do you have a natural fragrance? You always smell nice.”

Ashley sniffed herself. “Really? I never noticed.”

John couldn’t resist rubbing her skin with his fingertips. “Maybe I imagined it.”

Realizing the inappropriateness of his actions, he quickly glanced at Ashley to see if she noticed. Fortunately, she didn’t.

Relieved, John wrapped the towel around his fingers and gently wiped her skin. Her skin was so delicate that even the lightest touch left red marks.

Fingers, wrists, forearms.

As he continued, John’s face began to heat up. He warned himself not to think inappropriately, but his hands seemed to have a mind of their own, wanting to explore further.

“Ah!” Ashley cried out softly. “John, you’re hurting me!”

John snapped back to reality, realizing his fingers were already on her collarbone. Below that was her chest.

He hastily withdrew his hands, pushing the chair back with a loud screech. “Sorry!”

The movement had caused a wound on Ashley’s collarbone to bleed again.

She winced in pain, about to scold him, but noticed his reddened ears and embarrassed expression.

Ashley blinked, then glanced down.

After being hospitalized, she had changed into a loose hospital gown. The size S gown looked like an L on her, gaping in places.

As John wiped her, the gown slipped around, revealing her pale shoulder and ample chest.

Ashley’s face flushed. She quickly pulled the blanket up to cover herself. “I’m fine now. Maybe... you should go back.”

John cleared his throat. “No, I can’t leave you alone.”

“I’m not alone,” Ashley pointed out. “My mom is in the next room, and the butler visits often.”

“But—”

“No buts. Don’t miss your classes.”

Even if she needed care, having a man around wasn’t appropriate.

John absently rubbed his fingers together, still feeling the warmth of her skin.

A subtle fire seemed to ignite within him, causing a slight stir.

...It really wasn’t appropriate.

If he stayed longer, he might embarrass himself.

John clenched his jaw. “Alright, I’ll go back to school. Call me if you need anything, okay?”

Ashley nodded obediently. “Okay.”

Once John left, the room fell silent.

Ashley adjusted her clothes under the blanket, then leaned back against the pillows, feeling drowsy.

Half-asleep, her stomach growled.

Ashley opened her eyes and checked the time. It was already 1:30 PM.

No wonder.

She touched her flat stomach.

Hungry.

She considered pressing the nurse call button when the door opened.

Ashley turned her head to see Brian standing in the doorway, expressionless.

“Mr. Quinn?”

Her stomach growled again.

Ashley blushed. “I—”

About to explain that she hadn’t eaten since the previous afternoon, she saw someone else peeking out from behind him.

Ashley, “…Miss James.”

“Ashley,” Olivia clung to Brian’s arm and walked over to the bed. “I heard from Brian that you were hospitalized. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, thank you for coming, Miss James. I—”

Growl.

Ashley’s face turned crimson as her stomach rumbled again. She pressed a fist to her stomach in embarrassment.

“I haven’t eaten since yesterday afternoon—”

Growl.

Ashley bit her lip, feeling her face burning.

Olivia chuckled softly. “That means your digestive system is working well.”

Ashley felt mortified. “Thank you.”

Kill her now, please.

Her words were followed by another short laugh.

Ashley took a deep breath and tried to act casual. “Thank you for visiting me. I’m afraid I can’t entertain you in my current state. Perhaps—”

“You’re not trying to get rid of us, are you?” Olivia pouted, looking hurt and delicate. “We just got here.”

Ashley was prepared to engage in polite conversation but was thrown off by her straightforwardness.

What a bitch.

Ashley understood and feigned annoyance. “I don’t mean that. I’m just worried I can’t be a good host.”

“No need to host us,” Olivia clung to Ashley’s hand and shook it. “I came to ask you a favor.”

“What is it?”

Olivia smiled sweetly and glanced affectionately at Brian.

Ashley’s heart skipped a beat.

Olivia looked back at Ashley, her eyes shamelessly revealing her thoughts.

“We are getting engaged. Can you perform at my engagement party?”

Ashley’s heart sank. “Engaged?”

“Yes,” Olivia’s smile was smug, like a hen showing off her success. “Auntie said Brian isn’t getting any younger and is pushing for our engagement.”

She looked Ashley in the eye. “Auntie wants me to have a baby soon for the Quinn Family.”

Then she turned shyly to Brian. “Brian, how many kids do you want?”

Brian walked to the bed and placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. “How many? You’re still a kid yourself.”

Olivia stuck out her tongue and turned back to Ashley. “Men always talk big, but in bed—”

She leaned closer to Ashley’s ear. “You know, he doesn’t even use protection.”

Ashley’s mind went blank.

What did Olivia mean?

What the hell...

One hand held by Olivia, Ashley forced herself to stay calm, while her other hand under the blanket clenched tightly.

Her heart raced uncontrollably as she resisted the urge to look at Brian.

She managed to hold back.