Rift in the perfect picture

Chapter 0353

_ +25 BONUS.

That night, I was at home watching the news when Nicholas suddenly appeared behind me. As I raised my head, I bumped right into his firm abdomen. His eyes burned with desire.

“You’re seducing me,” he accused. He wrapped his bandaged hands around me, his tone full of grievance. “Why don’t you help me take these off? They’re getting in the way.”

I rolled my eyes at him. When no one else was around, his behavior was far from serious.

“Stop messing around. Did you forget what the doctor said?”

Nicholas sat down beside me. “I was too busy worrying about you. I didn’t even hear the doctor. What did he say?”

“You need to keep your hands elevated to avoid swelling. And if you start feeling feverish, let me know. The doctor said you might develop a fever-*

Before I could finish, Nicholas suddenly stood up and pressed his forehead against mine. “Check me. Do I feel warm to you?”

I pushed his head away and touched it with my hand. “You’re fine.”

“Hold on a second.” I stood up and grabbed the infrared thermometer I had prepared earlier, aiming it at

him.

Nicholas chuckled. “Don’t be so serious. Someone might think you were going to shoot me with that.”

However, I wasn’t in the mood for jokes His burns were severe, even extending to his wrists. When the doctor cut open his shirt sleeves, it tore at his flesh. He shivered in pain but gritted his teeth through it.

A man so pampered all his life had never endured such agony, yet he bore it quietly. It was my fault he got hurt in the first place.

“98.2 degrees,” I said, breathing a sigh of relief. “You’re fine for now. I’ll check again later. If you feel uncomfortable, let me know, and I’ll call the doctor.”

But Nicholas, who sat next to me, remained silent for too long. I sensed something and looked up.

meeting his dark, deep gaze.

His eyes

es were clear, carrying a subtle trace of affection that made the night feel more intimate. His gaze was so raw and intense that I thought he was about to deliver some earth–shattering confession.

Instead, he just smiled. His breath brushed against me warmly

His smile was so captivating that it seemed to make the world lose its color for a moment. Setting everything else aside, Nicholas was truly handsome.

Before I could say anything, he spoke first. “The way you’re taking care of me, I’ll remember it for a lifetime. It’s truly beautiful.”

I knew I wasn’t unattractive. When we first met at our arranged meeting, he complimented my looks out of courtesy, just to fill the silence and ease the awkwardness.

But this time, his praise felt different–genuine and striking. His voice was clear and smooth. He spoke at

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0353

a pace that was neither rushed nor slow, incredibly gentle.

It seemed that he was naturally blessed with charisma. And when he flattered someone, it carried a striking effect that was hard to resist.

A warning bell rang in my mind. The atmosphere between us had shifted. I closed my laptop, preparing to leave the room that felt almost suffocating.

“Well, there’s nothing more to see. I’m done.”

As I passed by him, he raised his hands innocently. “Are you ignoring me? It really hurts.”

He had endured the treatment without a word. Now, when he suddenly claimed it hurt, it was as if he had cast a spell on me. I couldn’t move a muscle.

“I’ll get you some painkillers.”

“No need for that.” Nicholas wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his embrace. “Just kiss, and 1’ll be fine.”

His voice was incredibly seductive. “Just kiss me first, hmm?”

me a