CHAPTER 118: CHAPTER 118: DENY IT, AND I’LL KISS YOU

The slippers Poppy Hale just took out fell to the ground.

She didn’t make a sound.

The man at the door barked like a dog again.

This time, even Florence Lynch heard it from inside the room.

She stuck her head out while brushing her teeth.

"Mom, is there a puppy? I heard a dog barking!"

Poppy Hale gritted her teeth, trying to suppress the urge to open the door and give Declan Hawthorne a beating.

"No, maybe it’s a puppy from another house."

Florence still thought there might really be a puppy nearby.

"Mom, open the door and check if there’s a puppy at our doorstep."

Poppy Hale opened the door, bracing herself.

Declan Hawthorne was still standing at the door,

Poppy Hale couldn’t bear it anymore and silently urged him to leave by tapping his back.

Florence wanted to know if there was a dog outside, so she hurriedly ran over after brushing her teeth.

She peeked out and saw Declan Hawthorne standing outside.

"Uncle Hawthorne, what are you doing here?"

Declan Hawthorne opened the door to the next room and calmly said, "I heard a dog barking and came to see if there was a puppy at the door."

Of course, there wasn’t.

The barking wasn’t from a dog but from a man who was more dog-like than a dog.

Seeing Florence’s slightly disappointed face, Declan Hawthorne patted her head.

"For your birthday this year, I’ll get you a puppy, would you like that?"

Florence’s eyes lit up instantly.

Then she shook her head sadly, "No, I love puppies, but I can’t take care of one. Mom is busy, grandma is not in good health, and can’t take care of a puppy either."

A puppy wouldn’t be happy in their home.

Declan Hawthorne bent down to match his gaze with Florence’s.

"Then I’ll take care of it, or perhaps Grandma Big Bear can take care of it; she’s pretty free."

"Really?"

"Really, I won’t lie to you. As long as your mom agrees."

Florence jumped excitedly, hugged Declan Hawthorne’s face, and kissed his cheek.

She then ran to Poppy Hale, pushed her into Declan Hawthorne’s home.

"You guys have a good discussion! I’m off to sleep now! Uncle, good luck in convincing mom!"

After saying that, she slammed her door shut.

Poppy Hale: "..."

She had a feeling, all because of a little dog, her little sweetheart was slipping away.

Inside, Truth Hale saw the door close and asked Florence.

"Why did you lock your mom outside?"

Florence swayed her head as she ran over to hug Truth Hale’s leg, giggling.

"Mom and Uncle Hawthorne have something important to discuss!"

Truth Hale initially wanted to check.

But her daughter was an adult too.

Some how, it wouldn’t be bad if something could develop between her and Declan Hawthorne.

Looking at their interaction, they seemed to know each other from before and had an unusual relationship now.

Most importantly, Declan Hawthorne’s affection for Florence was quite obvious.

If anything happened between Poppy and him, Truth Hale wouldn’t mind.

So she decided to give Florence a bath, changed her hospital clothes, and took a nap.

Next door.

Declan Hawthorne opened the fridge, took out the only bottle of milk, and handed it to Poppy Hale.

"This is all that’s left."

Poppy Hale didn’t take it.

"I’m going back. Thanks for everything these past two days. My leave is up today, and I can return to work tomorrow."

"Hmm, no rush."

Declan Hawthorne opened a bottle of wine and sat at the bar, drinking with his head tilted back.

The liquid streamed down his throat.

Staining his white shirt with traces of wine.

Poppy Hale’s steps seemed rooted, watching him in surprise for a few seconds.

"You only drink this?"

"I’m used to it."

Yesterday, seeing his fridge, Poppy thought he seemed to treat alcohol like meals.

Now, it confirmed her suspicion.

With that lifestyle, it’s no wonder he had no stomach issues.

Poppy Hale returned next door.

She opened the bedroom door; Truth Hale and Florence were taking a nap.

There was still some soup in the kitchen, with a bit of rice left.

Not much, just enough for a bowl.

Poppy Hale hesitated for a moment, then put on an apron, added some noodles to the pot, scooped them out with chicken soup, and took it next door.

She knocked, but no one answered.

Knocked again, still no response.

She hadn’t heard any doors or elevators earlier.

She was about to leave when her phone chimed with a message.

"Just come in, you know the password."

She opened the door and went inside.

Declan Hawthorne lay on the sofa, his long legs casually propped on the coffee table.

The room, which felt spacious for Poppy Hale’s family of three, seemed cramped with him lying there.

The entire house carried his aroma, mixed with the scent of alcohol.

Poppy Hale placed the chicken noodle soup on the table.

She was about to leave when she saw Declan Hawthorne’s closed eyes and flushed face.

She called out, "Declan Hawthorne?"

No response.

Thinking he didn’t even have the strength to open the door, she figured he wasn’t feeling well.

Poppy Hale walked over and felt his forehead.

She sighed, muttering, "If I’d known you were this hot, I wouldn’t have fried the egg, I would’ve come straight to you."

Fortunately, there was a medicine box at the same spot in Declan Hawthorne’s house.

Identical to the one at her place.

She found some fever medicine and placed it in Declan Hawthorne’s hand.

Once he took it, she was about to leave when she heard him murmur, almost like a groan.

"Poppy."

The voice was very soft.

Like a call from a distant place.

Poppy Hale hesitated there.

Her heart was a bit conflicted.

She closed her eyes, thinking about checking her phone for the time. If it was an even-numbered minute, she’d stay and look after him a bit.

If it was an odd-numbered minute, she’d leave and call Morgan Sloan or Heather Underwood.

After making up her mind, she checked her phone.

1:06 in the afternoon.

At that moment, Poppy couldn’t say if she was relieved or disappointed.

She put the phone on the table and went to the shower, grabbing one of his towels.

Kneeling slightly on the sofa, she wiped Declan’s face, sighing, "Consider this a thank-you for taking care of Florence."

In the past two days, she’s been busy with her ailing family.

With Declan’s lifestyle, just a fever was already lucky for him.

His shirt was stained with wine and cold sweat, looking completely unpresentable.

Poppy looked at Declan’s tightly closed eyes.

She steeled herself.

Undid the buttons on his shirt, took it off, and wiped his body with the towel.

She was about to find some alcohol to cool him down when he suddenly opened his eyes.

Meeting his gaze, Poppy’s heart skipped a beat.

She quickly set down the towel and said, "You’re awake, then I’ll head out..."

Declan caught her wrist and pulled her into his embrace completely.

His body was still warm.

His voice was hoarse from illness, but his grip showed no weakness.

"You came to see me, and undress me too?"

Poppy instinctively wanted to explain, "I was worried you’d get so sick that Florence would lose a dad."

"If I died of illness, you’d get rich instantly with Florence."

The man’s laugh echoed from his chest, making Poppy feel the vibrations in her eardrums too.

"Poppy, you really care about me."

Poppy intended to argue against his statement.

But then Declan lowly said, "Deny it, and I’ll kiss you."