CHAPTER 104: CHAPTER 104: WILL YOU TRUST ME?

Donovan Xavier nodded slightly. "Alright."

"How has Evan been? Has he gotten any better?"

The servant, walking respectfully by his side, sighed. "Not well. He’s had a high fever for several days. The mistress is so worried she hasn’t been able to sleep for nights."

His brow furrowed. "That serious?"

The servant sighed and nodded, then asked, "By the way, Young Master Xavier, why didn’t you come with Miss Quinn?"

Donovan continued walking, glancing sideways at her. "Hmm?"

The servant replied without thinking, "Miss Quinn found out this morning that our young master was ill, so she and Miss Lane came over to visit him."

"What did you say? She came here?" Donovan stopped abruptly.

Noticing his strong reaction, the servant pressed her lips together and asked tentatively, "You... you didn’t know? I thought Miss Quinn would have told you."

Donovan looked at her, his oppressive aura radiating from him as he remained silent.

He reached into his pocket, took out his phone, and glanced at their conversation.

She hadn’t replied.

Seeing the air around him suddenly turn frigid, the servant instinctively took two steps back and couldn’t help but shiver.

Donovan put away his phone and continued forward, his dark eyes growing somber and his expression unreadable.

Dark clouds rolled across the sky, accompanied by the rumble of thunder. The wind rustled the leaves, heralding another downpour.

As he walked, Donovan suddenly asked in a deep voice, "Did she know Evan before?"

The servant had heard about his amnesia and knew he didn’t remember much. "Yes, they knew each other," she nodded.

Donovan asked, "What was their relationship?"

Fearing she would say the wrong thing and harm Donovan and Chloe’s relationship, the servant said, "They had no particular relationship."

Donovan turned his head, his gaze icy as he glanced at her. "Do I look easy to fool?"

The servant didn’t dare meet his eyes. She lowered her head and swallowed hard. "I... I’m really not lying. They were just ordinary friends."

Donovan pressed, "How ordinary?"

The servant stated firmly, "Very ordinary!"

Donovan withdrew his gaze, his eyes growing even colder as he walked on step by step without another word.

「...」

Inside the room, Chloe Preston and Ivy Lane carefully helped Evan York onto the bed while the doctor reconnected his IV drip.

Ivy asked with concern, "Evan, how are you feeling now?"

Evan York seemed not to hear her. His gaze was fixed solely on Chloe Preston, his eyes fervent, unwilling to look away for even a second.

"It’s been a while. How have you been?" he asked softly, his voice tinged with a subtle concern.

Chloe Preston instinctively touched her lower abdomen and smiled slightly. "I’m doing well."

"Is the baby alright? And my cousin... he lost his memory. How is he treating you?"

A smile touched Chloe Preston’s eyes as she nodded. "I’m fine, and your cousin is very considerate."

Evan York smiled faintly and said no more.

As long as she was happy, that was all that mattered. He hoped she could stay that way forever, free from hardship and sorrow.

Just then, a servant brought a steaming bowl of freshly brewed traditional medicine to the bedside. "Young Master, it’s time for your medicine."

The concoction was black with a strong, rank odor that Evan York detested. He had vomited it up the few times he’d tried it before. He waved a hand dismissively. "I’m not drinking it. Take it away."

The servant looked troubled. "But the mistress ordered this. You’re so sick, you have to drink it!"

Evan York’s brow knitted in annoyance. "Take it away! I won’t drink it!"

Seeing the stalemate, Chloe Preston gently persuaded him, "Just drink a little. It will help you get better sooner."

Evan York’s dark eyes seemed to waver.

Chloe Preston stepped forward, took the bowl from the servant, and walked to the bed to hand it to him.

Leaning against the headboard, Evan York raised his hand and took the bowl. "Fine, I’ll drink it."

CLICK—

The door was suddenly pushed open.

Evan York glanced over casually, then froze. "Cousin?"

At the sound, Chloe Preston looked up. When she saw the newcomer, she froze in place.

He... wasn’t he at the Xavier estate? How did he get here? Oh no, I’m so dead!

Donovan Xavier stood in the doorway. His handsome features were stern and his tall frame was imposing. His pitch-black eyes were filled with a chilling light, exuding an aura that warned everyone to keep their distance.

He lifted his gaze to meet hers.

Chloe Preston didn’t dare look at him. She lowered her head, wishing she could dig a hole and crawl into it.

She was standing right next to the bed, extremely close to Evan York.

Chloe pressed her lips together and subtly shuffled away, increasing the distance between herself and the bed.

Donovan Xavier noticed, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He strode forward, walking straight past her to look at the man on the bed. "How are you feeling? The servants said you’ve been sick for days."

Evan York gulped down the medicine in one go, his lips turning slightly pale. "You don’t have to worry. The doctors are here, so I’ll be fine."

After a pause, he glanced in Chloe Preston’s direction and explained, "Miss Quinn said you were too busy to come, so she came to visit me on your behalf."

Evan had called her "Miss Quinn" and explained that she was visiting on Donovan’s behalf, specifically to prevent any unnecessary misunderstandings between the couple later on.

Donovan Xavier’s eyes held a hint of a mocking smile. "Is that so?"

Holding the bowl, Evan met his gaze unflinchingly. "Yes."

"I’m a little tired. I want to sleep for a bit. Cousin, you should take Miss Quinn home."

"Alright. You rest well." Though Donovan Xavier’s smile seemed warm, his voice was laced with a distinct chill.

He didn’t linger. He turned, seized Chloe Preston’s slender wrist, and strode out the door.

He walked quickly down the corridor.

He gripped her wrist so tightly that it ached. Unable to keep up with his rapid pace, she stumbled and nearly fell.

Donovan’s reflexes were quick. He caught her, his hands landing on her shoulders to steady her. He stared down at her, his dark eyes simmering with suppressed anger.

He opened his mouth as if he had a great deal to say, but in the end, no words came out.

After ensuring she was steady, Donovan released her and walked on alone.

Chloe paused for a few seconds, then hurried after him. "Don... Donovan."

He ignored her.

Chloe reached out, her lips pursed, and cautiously reached for his arm.

"Don’t touch me."

Her outstretched hand froze in midair. His fierceness scared her.

Donovan stood still for a few seconds to compose himself, then took her hand and continued walking outside.

His palm was warm. It was a comforting and reassuring warmth.

He also slowed his pace, as if afraid she might fall again.

「...」

In the car, Donovan leaned against the leather seat, staring straight ahead, the coldness in his eyes undisguised. "Didn’t you tell me you were at home?"

Chloe gently pursed her lips and explained, "Evan’s illness... it’s very severe. I just wanted to come and check on him."

"Ha," he scoffed, turning his head to look at her. "Are you some kind of goddess? Does his illness just vanish because you paid him a visit?"

As he spoke, a sharp pain shot through his head.

Donovan pressed a hand to his forehead, his brows tightly furrowed. Veins bulged on his clenched fist as he nearly collapsed from the agony.

"Donovan, what’s wrong!" Chloe panicked, grabbing his arm.

Donovan gritted his teeth against the pain, unable to speak as flashes of images flooded his mind.

He saw scenes of his time with Chloe—sweet moments, arguments—as well as some fragments involving Adrian Rhodes.

He couldn’t recall most of it, and the effort only made his head hurt more. His face grew pale.

Chloe looked at him, her eyes filled with worry. "Donovan..."

"I’m fine." Donovan tapped his head a few times. Once the pain subsided slightly, he said in a calm, low voice, "Chloe Preston, I’ve forgotten the past. I don’t know what kind of relationship you two really had."

"We’re just friends," she said urgently, tears welling in her eyes. "Nothing more than that, just ordinary friends."

"There’s nothing between us. Ivy was there, too. I just planned to check on him and leave, so I didn’t tell you. I was just afraid you would get angry."

"Please, trust me."

As she spoke, her eyes grew red and tears streamed down her face.

Silence fell between them.

The next moment, Donovan leaned in, resting his forehead against hers. He reached up and wiped the tears from the corner of her eye. "Okay," he murmured. "I trust you."

After a few seconds of silence, he spoke again, his voice hoarse.

"But Chloe Preston, from this day forward, you need to be clear about your identity. You are my woman. Donovan Xavier’s woman. Wherever you go, whatever you do, whoever you see—you tell me. Honestly.

"I’m not an unreasonable man. If you really need to see someone, just tell me, and I’ll go with you. But if you hide things from me, it will only make me angrier.

"You’re pregnant, and you don’t even have a bodyguard with you. What if something had happened when you came rushing over here?"

Chloe threw herself into his arms and held him tight.