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Novel Catalog
Chapter 80: Serina Is Sick
Manuel carefully helped Ainsley into the car, his expression heavy with concern. As she sat in the back seat, Ainsley noticed the swelling in her leg from the cold compress. The injury had worsened despite the treatment, and she could feel the discomfort.
Manuel sat in the driver’s seat, deep in thought. He felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. If only I hadn’t given her that thermos of hot water, he thought, the weight of the situation pressing on him. He blamed himself for what had happened, even though he knew he couldn’t have foreseen this.
Ainsley, sensing his inner turmoil, turned to him. “What are you thinking, Manuel?”
For a moment, Manuel didn’t reply. Then, his voice low, he said, “I was thinking if only I hadn’t taken that thermos today.”
Ainsley blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to blame himself. She gave a small chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. “Mr. Gage, I didn’t expect you to think like this. Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”
Manuel’s serious expression didn’t shift. “I’m being honest.”
Ainsley smiled faintly, her voice soft as she replied, “To be honest, it’s been a long time since anyone cared for me like this. That thermos, it’s not just about hot water. To me, it meant more. Even if you hadn’t brought it, Kaitlin would have found another way to hurt me.”
She could sense that Manuel was trying to hold himself together, and she didn’t want him to feel responsible for something that wasn’t his fault. The tension between them eased slightly, but still hung in the air as they made their way back to the apartment.
Once they arrived, Ainsley made a move to get out of the car, but before she could, Manuel was there, offering to carry her.
Her face flushed, and she immediately tried to avoid his help. “No, I can do it myself.”
But Manuel was persistent. “No one will see.”
Reluctantly, Ainsley wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her. Her heart raced at the proximity, feeling the strength of his arms around her and his steady heartbeat beneath her ear.
As they entered the apartment building, Ainsley could feel the warmth of his breath against the top of her head. The closeness was overwhelming, but she tried to focus on the simple task of pressing the elevator button.
When they arrived at her apartment, the door opened unexpectedly. Serina stood in the doorway, her face filled with concern at the sight of Ainsley in Manuel’s arms.
“Ainsley…” Serina’s voice was soft, but she quickly recoiled, her hands covering her eyes. “I didn’t see anything. Come in quickly.”
Manuel gently set Ainsley down on the sofa and stepped back to catch his breath. “It’s not that you’re heavy,” he explained. “I just didn’t want to touch your injury.”
Ainsley, still feeling a little embarrassed, thanked him softly.
“I’ll apply the medicine,” Manuel said, pulling out the burn cream.
“I’ll help too!” Serina exclaimed, eager to assist. But her attention seemed elsewhere as she observed them with a strange look in her eyes.
Manuel began applying the burn cream, explaining to Ainsley that she shouldn’t bathe tonight and that she should rest for the next few days. Serina remained quiet, her gaze shifting between them with a peculiar expression.
Then, suddenly, the sound of glass shattering filled the room. Ainsley looked up in alarm to see Serina standing, frozen in place, her eyes wide in shock as she stared at Ainsley’s swollen leg.
“Serina?” Ainsley called out, her voice laced with concern.
“Ah!” Serina screamed, her hands covering her ears, her body retreating in fear. She cried out for help, her voice frantic. “Go away! Go away! Help! Ainsley, don’t!”
Her actions were erratic, as though she were facing something terrifying, and her words seemed disconnected from reality.
Manuel rushed to Serina’s side, trying to calm her. “Serina, it’s me,” he said softly, but his voice only seemed to make things worse.
Ainsley, growing more anxious, slowly moved towards Serina, extending her hand to her. But Serina’s resistance was fierce. She swatted at Ainsley, tears streaming down her face, as she fought to free herself from the grasp.
“Serina, it’s me!” Ainsley repeated, her voice firm but gentle. But the more Serina saw, the more terrified she became. She crawled on the ground, desperately trying to escape.
Ainsley’s worry grew. She tried again, but Serina was too panicked. “Hold her down!” she shouted to Manuel.
Manuel quickly held Serina’s hands, trying to subdue her. Ainsley, her patience wearing thin, waved a pocket watch in front of Serina’s face. “Look at it, Serina. Look at it.”
Finally, after much struggle, Serina’s gaze locked onto the pocket watch. She stopped thrashing and began to calm slightly, her body still trembling. Ainsley’s voice softened as she continued, guiding Serina through the process.
“There’s no one around,” Ainsley said gently. “You’re in a vast grassland. You see horses running freely. The sun is shining. You feel the breeze. You’re so tired, Serina. You’re so sleepy…”
As Serina’s eyes slowly began to focus on the image, her breathing steadied, and the panic subsided. But Ainsley remained on edge, her own forehead glistening with sweat from the effort.
Meanwhile, at the police station, Kaitlin paced back and forth in her cell, slamming her fists against the iron bars. She couldn’t believe she was here. Never before had she been in a situation like this.
Her mind raced with frustration. *That * had set her up, ruined everything. Ainsley had seen through her plan so quickly and had even called the police. And Manuel, of course, had been there, always supporting Ainsley.
Kaitlin fumed, seething with jealousy and rage. She was desperate for help. She couldn’t be in here. She just couldn’t.
Soon, two officers came to her cell, and Kaitlin’s eyes lit up with hope. “Who is it? My brother? My mother?”
When she saw who had come, she felt a brief sense of relief. It was her brother. She was sure he wouldn’t give up on her now.
