CHAPTER 204: CHAPTER 204: DEPENDENCE

Noah Grant leaned down, his chest pressed against hers.

The heavy sensation weighed on her chest, bringing a sense of reality, the familiar scent enveloped her, only then Vera Sheridan confirmed it, a sense of joy welled up, her nose turned sour.

"I was originally scheduled for today’s flight, wanted to surprise you, but instead, you gave me quite the scare." He whispered by her lips, his voice deep, "Feeling bad, huh? Feel cold or hot?"

As he spoke, he curled her right leg with one hand, letting his palm slide down her calf, resting beside her bandaged ankle, "Does it still hurt?"

His continuous tender care made Vera feel discomfort everywhere, wanting him to take care of her, to rely on him.

"Not painful, just feel... cold." As she spoke, she shivered, feeling cold to the bone.

Noah Grant frowned, took the thermometer, shook it, then tucked it under her arm, covered her with the blanket, "Still need to warm up, I’ll go get some water."

Vera drowsily closed her eyes.

...

The pendant light at the bar emitted a cold glow.

Noah Grant had his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, standing by the bar, cutting a slice of lemon into a liter of water, the phone beside him, its screen lit, indicating an ongoing call.

Lucky crouched beside him, squinting up at him, a rumbling coming from its belly.

"How is Ms. Morgan?" At that moment, Noah Grant spoke with a businesslike tone, revealing no warmth.

Nathan Grant, "She had a fever earlier tonight, now it’s gone, just took painkillers."

Noah Grant weighed the salt, his actions continuous, only faintly grunted acknowledgment.

Nathan Grant lowered his voice, "Bro, your call came just in time, Mom just woke up, her eyes kept glancing toward the door... you’re back in the country, why not... come by? Even if you just show your face and leave."

Noah Grant poured the salt into the water, his stirring action paused, "Vera’s having a fever, can’t leave her."

"Didn’t say you have to come right now..." Nathan Grant said, realizing he was still being stubborn, "Mom also had Dad look after Vera."

Noah Grant snorted lightly, "That’s what they should do."

Nathan Grant was momentarily speechless, blocked by those words.

Noah Grant, "Let’s leave it at that, I’m ending the call."

In the bedroom, Vera was feeling cold all over, her teeth chattering, scalp tight, unable to sleep, in her hazy vision, Noah Grant entered from outside the door.

"Noah Grant, come here...I’m cold..." she hurriedly called to him, girlishly urging.

Noah Grant sat on the edge of the bed, took out the thermometer.

"38.6 degrees." He frowned, his fingertip brushing across her scorching forehead, "Be good, sit up and take the water and medicine first."

Vera wrapped herself tightly in the blanket, enduring another wave of chill, brow furrowed, voice tinged with tears, "I’ve taken them already, hurry, cold..."

Seeing her in such distress, Noah Grant’s heart softened tremendously, in the end, he supported her to sit up, his strong arms steadying her weak body.

"Be good, it’ll help you get better faster." He gently touched the glass to her lips, softly coaxing.

Vera lifted her eyelids, meeting his gaze full of tenderness, opened her mouth, took small sips.

The warm water slid down her throat, bringing a touch of clarity, with the fresh, salty lemon taste.

"Now take the medicine." Noah Grant pinched the pill, feeding it to her.

The bitterness of the pill instantly spread across her tongue, Vera frowned, wanting to spit it out.

He supported her chin in his palm, "Swallow it, okay?"

Vera shook her head in protest, a tear slid down from the corner of her eye.

Noah Grant paused slightly.

In the dim light, she appeared stubborn and fragile, like a child truly afraid of the bitter medicine, so different from her usual independent and resilient self.

His heart softened massively, "Is it very bitter?"

Vera replied willfully with an "Mmm."

Noah Grant’s eyes turned dark, took a sip of lemon water himself, and the next moment, covered her lips.

Vera was startled, instinctively opened her mouth, forced to swallow, along with the pill, the water overflowed from the corners of her mouth, glittering under the lamp’s light.

Noah Grant kissed along, drinking it all, finally buried his face in her warmth, his nose fiercely nuzzled before releasing her, "I’ll take a shower first."

After a long flight of over ten hours, he was dusty and covered in the scent.

Vera, though, clung onto him, "Don’t go."

Speaking, instinctively burrowing into his chest, her cheeks pressed tightly against the crumpled front of his shirt, absorbing its warmth and familiar scent.

Noah Grant’s body went stiff.

Clearly feeling her slight trembling and the softness pressed against him, his heart seemed to be tickled by the softest feather, melting away that neat-freak nature.

"I won’t leave."

He held her as they lay down together.

Vera snuggled like a cat, finding a comfortable position, sighing contentedly, curled up in his embrace, and fell into a deep sleep.

Noah Grant held her, patiently waiting for her to break a sweat.

Until fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, the redness on her cheeks gradually faded, then he finally let her go to take a shower.

...

Vera gradually woke.

In her view was the man’s sexy protruding Adam’s apple, up was the stubbled chin, cold and hard jawline.

The man’s strong arm was tightly wrapped around her, the two of them snugly fitted, she slightly moved, and he instantly awoke.

Then, he raised his hand to her forehead, then checked his own, "It’s gone."

Only then did he look at her.

"Loosen a bit..." Vera tiredly tried to break free, her cheeks quickly flushed red, not with the sickly fever color.

Noah Grant was about to loosen when suddenly, with a delayed awareness, his deep eyes darkened, the next moment, he cupped her nape, kissed her.

Relentless.

They were pushing boundaries without restraint.

Like dry wood and a fierce blaze, igniting at the slightest touch.

The temperature in the room quickly surged.

Outside, Lucky meowed for food, but the two inside remained oblivious.

...

Vera Sheridan lay softly on the bed, Noah Grant lightly kissed her sweat-drenched back.

After an unknown amount of time, her breathing gradually steadied, and he turned over, leaning against the headboard, reaching for his cigarette pack.

Vera suddenly grabbed his arm.

Caught off guard, Noah Grant stiffened for a moment, then quickly offered a smile, lowering his head to find her glaring at him, eyes rolling.

He caressed her face, soothingly saying, "I forgot, don’t be mad."

"This is my bedroom. If you want to smoke, go outside. No one will stop you." Vera said, attempting to get out of bed.

But before she stood, her legs weakened, and she fell back down.

Noah Grant immediately embraced her, his chin resting on her shoulder. When Vera tried to break free, he held her even tighter.

"Ms. Sheridan, I was wrong. I won’t smoke anymore. From now on, I promise to limit it to one cigarette a day, okay?"

Vera ignored him.

Noah Grant took the cigarette pack and, in front of her, tossed it into the trash.

"I definitely won’t retrieve it to smoke."

Vera, with some annoyance, punched his chest, freed herself, and went into the bathroom.

...

After washing up, it was already noon, and they had breakfast as lunch, eating together.

After eating, Vera sat on the sofa, while opposite her, Noah Grant was on the footstool, her injured right foot resting on his knee as he carefully applied iodine to her wound.

"...Xiaoyu is still hyperactive. Although I haven’t asked thoroughly, I guess he was being mischievous and knocked over the vase. What surprised me was... your mother, she actually defended a child who was not related." Vera seriously talked to him about yesterday’s event.

The image of Ms. Morgan protecting Xiaoyu was still vivid in her mind.

Noah Grant paused, feeling a tug at his chest, "Being a family member of a public servant, saving lives, it’s a duty."

He was saying words against his heart.

He clearly knew that Ms. Morgan was inherently a kind person, but she had targeted Vera before.

He refused to say anything good about her in front of Vera.

Listening to his indifferent words, Vera frowned, thinking, not to mention family members of public servants, even among public servants, there are many who merely occupy their positions without doing anything.

"A vase nearly half as tall as a person, if it had hit someone’s head, it could really be fatal... I think it was an instinctive kind gesture."

Noah Grant’s Adam’s apple moved slightly, raising his eyes, "Ms. Sheridan, you’re easily moved."

Vera was startled, understanding his meaning, "I’m just discussing the matter impartially."

"Actually, I can understand why she has opinions about me." She continued earnestly, "In your social circle, even ordinary mothers-in-law, would have opinions about me."

Noah Grant was suddenly somber, his tone turning colder, "Vera, what are you saying."

Startled by his demeanor, Vera then met his gaze and spoke calmly, "Noah Grant, you misunderstood. I’m facing reality, not belittling myself."

"I’m aware of my worth, I now have the confidence and poise to confront these prejudices."

Noah Grant was slightly taken aback. She is now more resilient than he imagined, "Yes, prejudice. They don’t understand your excellence at all, and I don’t care if Ms. Morgan does."

"You don’t need to earn her approval; it’s her narrow-mindedness that makes her unworthy of you."

He spoke sincerely.

One day, even if Ms. Morgan agrees to them being together, it should be from being genuinely conquered by Vera, not just approving or accepting.

Vera wiggled her foot, "Alright, I get your intentions."

"You should visit her at the hospital today, she’s still your mother after all."

Noah Grant stood up, sitting beside her, holding her close with his chin resting on the top of her head, and murmured a soft "Okay."

"I’ll listen to you."

...

Noah Grant pushed open the hospital room door.

Lifting his gaze, he saw Nathan Grant by the side, the bed was surrounded by curtains.

"Bro." Nathan Grant’s eyes lit up when he saw him, but the next moment, seeing the bouquet of carnations he held, his brows furrowed.

Carnations...

They were the most ordinary bright red ones, paired carelessly and crudely.

Ms. Morgan always preferred calla lilies.

It’s not like he didn’t remember.

Noah Grant handed the carnations to Nathan Grant, lifting his chin, "What are you doing?"

Nathan Grant accepted the flowers, "Mom is changing her dressing now."

"Hiss...!" Just then, a gasp of pain came from behind the curtain.

"Madam, please bear with it, it’ll be over soon."

Noah Grant’s jaw tightened, glancing towards Nathan Grant, his brows knotted, "What’s going on, aren’t they giving her painkillers?"

His tone sounded more reproachful than inquisitive.