Chapter 351: The First Place

Summer looked up at him. She couldn’t quite read the emotion on his handsome face. His lips were pressed together, and it seemed like the only thing on his mind was feeding her. She opened her mouth and swallowed another spoonful.

Once she finished the soup, Fraser set down the bowl. He pulled a tissue from the box and gently wiped the corner of her lips. His fingertips brushed lightly against her skin, and Summer felt her cheeks start to burn. She reached out to grab the glass of water from the table. But Fraser beat her to it. He picked up the glass, poured fresh warm water, and handed it to her.

Summer stared straight at him with her clear, black-and-white eyes, slowly took the glass, and drank. Once she finished, Fraser stood to return to the sofa and resume working.

Just as he got up, Summer reached out carefully and tugged at his shirt sleeve. Fraser turned back and lowered his head. His dark eyes landed on her small hand gripping his sleeve. Summer bit her lip. “Fraser… are you mad at me?”

He looked up. There was a depth in his eyes she didn’t understand. After a moment of silence, he said, “I told you, I’ll never be angry with you.”

“But you’re so cold. You don’t even smile. You fed me, then went right back to work. And today, you’ve said”—she counted on her fingers—“not even ten sentences to me.” Her voice was soft, cautious, carrying a hint of complaint.

Fraser sat back down, his gaze locked on her. Her beautiful, clear eyes looked slightly hurt. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m just mad at myself.”

Summer blinked. He’s angry with himself? “Why?”

Fraser took her hand and held it tightly, letting out a bitter laugh. He wasn’t strong at all. He was scared. He wanted to protect her better. “Summer.” He pulled her into his arms, pressing his face against the curve of her neck, breathing in her scent, soaking in her warmth. His voice was low and magnetic as he murmured her name. She heard the pleading, almost humbled tone in his words.

“If I’m the one you care about most… can you stop risking yourself for others?” Because if something like this happened again, he didn’t know if he could take it.

Summer froze for a second. Then she raised her hand and gently placed it behind his head, fingers sliding into his short black hair. Her chest ached—tight and sore—because of this man.

Just then, there was a knock at the hospital room door. A bodyguard stood in the doorway. Fraser slowly sat upright. The bodyguard said, “Mr. Graham, Mrs. Graham, your friend Merry has been waiting outside since she heard you woke up. She’s been there a whole day and night. She said she wants to see you.”

Summer looked at him. “You don’t like Merry, do you?”

Fraser’s face remained calm. “I don’t like anyone who hurts you.” Summer already knew the whole story. Merry wasn’t really to blame, but neither was she. The real fault lay with whoever orchestrated the whole thing. But she also knew—if something had happened to her because of it, the one who’d suffer most was Fraser. She understood what he meant. He wanted her to be a little more selfish.

Summer looked at the bodyguard. “Tell her to go home and rest. I’m awake now. I’ll see her when I’m better.”

The bodyguard left, and the room fell quiet again. Summer reached out and took his big hand, threading her fingers between his. “I know going to save someone looked like some saintly move. And I know how worried you were. I won’t do it again, okay? So please don’t be mad anymore.”

Fraser looked down, watching her slender fingers wrap around his. His heart softened. Slowly, he tightened his grip. He wasn’t mad anymore. She admitted to herself this was a little manipulative—but she was counting on the fact that Fraser doted on her. She gently leaned into his chest, listening to the steady, deep beat of his heart. What a blessing, to have found this man.

A light breeze slipped through the white gauzy curtains, lifting one corner. The early winter sunlight filtered into the room, casting a lazy golden glow over them both. After a while, Summer looked up from his arms and gazed at him. “Fraser.”

Fraser lowered his head, eyes locked on hers. “Yeah.”