CHAPTER 266: CHAPTER 266: SHE’S SICK

Joyce’s expression slightly froze.

Nancy continued eating.

This woman, she’s too cautious; she won’t accept uncertain sincerity anymore and won’t give anyone a chance to hurt her.

The food Joyce made was delicious, but she preferred the meals made by the teacher at Ink Manor. Occasionally, there might be too much salt, not as tasty, yet she ate them with delight.

Joyce walked into the kitchen dejectedly, forced a smile, and thought, "It’s alright, as long as she’s back, it’s alright."

Godfery Shaw watched this scene, feeling fortunate. He’d made many mistakes, nearly causing her death, yet she was still willing to give him another chance.

Nancy had always had a poor appetite; today she ate some snacks outside and felt full after eating just a little.

Nancy wrote, "I want to walk outside Imperial Garden to help digest."

Godfery naturally agreed to any request Nancy had.

He just instructed Joyce to prepare some midnight snacks and to always have nutritious and healthy food ready at the house.

The area of Imperial Garden Villa was indeed vast; previously, Godfery and Nancy had never strolled together like this.

Godfery introduced, "Now this area is full of trustworthy people. You can go wherever you want."

Nancy suddenly wrote, "Is the flower house still there?"

Godfery paused and nodded.

Nancy wrote again, "That’s our place of rebirth. Remember to have the gardener take care of it."

Godfery was taken aback.

It’s not a painful memory, but a place of rebirth?

Godfery’s throat felt tight for a moment, unsure of what to say.

Nancy smiled and wrote, "I’m tired today, don’t want to walk; I want to ride a horse."

In the past, when Nancy was confined to the vineyard, she saw people riding horses at the track nearby and envied them, wanting to try it herself.

Godfery chuckled, saying that she wanted a light exercise yet felt tired as soon as she walked out. However, with undisguised indulgence, he said, "Alright, I’ll have someone bring the horse."

Soon, a herder came riding over with a very tall chestnut horse following behind.

The herder respectfully handed the reins to Godfery and quickly departed.

Nancy looked at the horse before her, eyes shining; to human eyes, it was indeed a handsome and awe-inspiring horse.

Seeing her like this, Godfery reached out and gently lifted Nancy to place her on the horse’s back.

Nancy suddenly felt a bit nervous.

She didn’t know how to ride and feared falling off; she was now afraid of pain.

The old her was recklessly harsh with herself, facing pain or death without a change of expression.

But the current her, she had let go of everything and could fear pain now.

Godfery saw Nancy’s nervousness and reassured her, "Don’t worry, I’ll lead the horse; you won’t fall."

Godfery led the horse with Nancy sitting on its back. The sunset’s afterglow fell on them, carrying a hazy warmth, as if they were going to grow old together at this pace.

Nancy felt the wind on the grass field and thought it carried the scent of freedom.

She had broken free from the hellish death and finally found freedom by his side.

She tugged the reins, and Godfery turned to look at her.

Nancy gestured, "I want to run."

Godfery understood Nancy’s meaning.

He nodded, stepped on the stirrups, and leaped onto the horse’s back, sitting closely behind her, feeling it was somewhat profane.

Nancy was unaware of what Godfery was thinking; they were already a couple, so being close should be normal, right? So she gently leaned into Godfery’s arms.

Godfery tightened the reins, and the horse started running.

Not too fast, fearing she might bounce too much, and worried the wind might be too cold for her.

Facing the wind, Nancy started to smile.

It was a smile she never had before.

Seeing this smile made Godfery determined to protect her smile at all costs in the future.

They ran a lap; the sun was about to set, the night wind was cool, and Godfery worried about Nancy’s health. He had the horse sent back to the pasture and took Nancy back to the villa.

Returning to ensure Nancy took her medicine, he sent her back to her room to rest.

Godfery also retired to his room, went into the bathroom, and doused himself with cold water to completely calm down his thoughts, to firmly tell himself that everything today was not a hallucination.

After showering, wrapped in a towel, he left the bathroom. The cold calm from the shower vanished instantly.

Because he saw Nancy, wearing a nightgown and hugging a pillow, sitting on his bed.

Nancy’s always languid eyes were wide open, looking at the still dripping wet Godfery. She swallowed, thinking his abs looked sexy...

Godfery’s first response was to turn around and retreat into the bathroom, quickly shutting the door.

He changed into a proper set of pajamas before coming out again.

Seeing the neatly dressed Godfery, Nancy’s spirited eyes seemed regretful, as if saying, "Why retreat so quickly? A glance costs nothing."

Godfery forcibly diverted his attention, "Nancy, it’s late; go and rest."

Nancy shook her head, writing, "I want to sleep here."

Godfery froze again.

Nancy continued to write, "Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to you."

In the past, Nancy needed Godfery’s presence to suppress nightmares for a good night’s sleep.

She later understood that it was the peace Godfery brought her.

Now she didn’t need Godfery and could sleep peacefully on her own.

But like choosing between a high-end mattress and a hard bed, both feasible options, one would surely choose the better one.

To Nancy, Godfery was like the high-end mattress.

Godfery compromised, stiffly lying down on the bed.

Nancy felt satisfied, obediently lying by his side, even reaching out from under the covers to touch his abs, savoring the pleasing sight from before, and fell asleep happily.

While Godfery lay stiffly like a puppet on the bed, feeling his earlier cold shower seemed wasted.

Nancy was rather pleased with such progress.

When both are interested, it’s best to be direct; no need for guesswork.

The first day of reunion was utterly wonderful.

But at midnight, Nancy developed a slight fever and began to cough weakly.

Godfery was extremely anxious, thinking perhaps it was due to the food Nancy ate during the day or from riding in the wind.

He knew Nancy’s health was frail but hadn’t expected that despite strict control and proper medication, she still got sick.

At a loss, Godfery was filled with remorse and immediately called Basil Smith.

Basil, having worked overtime till eleven, returned home exhausted and just about to sleep when he was called.

Half-asleep and nearly unable to find his own eyes, he sluggishly went to the main room.

Seeing the Young Madam’s condition, Basil became alert.

Basil said gravely, "The Young Madam’s health is very poor and usually displays a delicate balance that requires careful nurture; any slight mishap will disrupt this balance. The medication dosage may also differ from an ordinary person. It’s best to notify Ink Manor and contact the Young Madam’s regular doctor to strictly control the medication dosage."