Chapter 377: Midnight Care

On the balcony, Fraser stood with one hand in his pocket, his dark eyes gazing emotionlessly out the window. The evening moon hung high in the vast sky, casting its watery light over his solitary figure. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket. He’d rarely smoked since Summer’s pregnancy, but tonight his mind was restless. The lighter flickered to life as he took a deep drag, the nicotine swirling in his chest.

From the balcony, he could see the lights go out in the adjoining bedroom. She really was asleep. A wry smile touched his lips.

Fraser finished his cigarette and took a shower. Instead of retiring to the guest room, he settled down on the living room sofa. The apartment on Ravenshire Boulevard wasn’t large; from here he could keep an eye on the master bedroom. The sofa was a little too small for his tall frame. He leaned back, his head resting on the pillows, and closed his eyes to rest.

Midnight. Summer awoke from her dreams, thirsty. Blinking groggily, she pushed back the covers to fetch water. As she swung her legs over the bed, a sudden, violent cramp seized her calf. “Ah!” An involuntary cry escaped as she clutched at the contracting muscle. The bedroom door burst open before the sound had fully left her lips. A tall silhouette filled the doorway. Light flooded the room, blinding her for a moment. Before she could react, Fraser was at her side, lifting her cramped leg into his lap with practiced ease. “Here?” His fingers found the knotted muscle.

Summer winced. “Lower… a little lower.”

In the warm lamplight, Fraser’s brow furrowed in concentration as he worked the tension out of her calf. Summer’s eyes drifted to his hands—those elegant surgeon’s fingers now gently massaging away her pain. Heat radiated from his touch, easing the cramp. “Better?” His deep voice drew her eyes upward. Caught staring, Summer quickly looked away as their faces hovered close enough to share a breath. She cleared her throat and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Um, much better.”

Without comment, Fraser shifted to massage her other leg. “How…” Summer hesitated, “how did you get here so quickly?” Almost as if he’d been waiting outside.

“I heard you from the living room.”

“You didn’t sleep in the guest room?”

His hands never stopped. “You were restless at night. The sofa lets me hear if you need anything.”

Summer bit her lip as something sweet and painful blossomed in her chest. When the cramps subsided, she tried to stand. “Alright, I’m fine now.” Fraser stopped her with a hand. “Going where?”

“Water,” Summer replied.

“Stay,” Fraser said.

Moments later, he returned with a glass of warm water. Summer drank under his watchful gaze as silence fell around them. As she set the glass down, Fraser placed a thermos on the bedside table. “This is for later. You can sleep now.” He tucked the blankets around her, then planted a kiss on her forehead. Summer’s eyelashes fluttered at the contact. The door closed behind him with almost silent precision. The soft click reverberated through her like a stone dropped into still water.

Had I been too harsh? Holding onto past grievances when he’d done nothing but care for me…

Morning light filtered through the curtains as Summer emerged from the bedroom to find breakfast waiting. The smell of porridge filled the air. “Come eat.” Fraser pulled out her chair.