Chapter 196 You Want to Kiss Her
With meticulous care, William attended to Ava, checking her temperature and leaning in close to listen to her faint whispers. His actions were imbued with a gentle patience that was as comforting as it was revealing.
At her slightest stir, followed by a cascade of tears, he would rush to her side, cradling her in his arms, offering solace.
In the midst of this comforting embrace, their lips hovered mere inches apart. A fraction of movement was all it would take for him to claim her lips with his own.
William's gaze fell upon the woman before him, his eyes growing vacant as if his capacity for thought had been stolen away. His eyelashes fluttered slightly, mirroring her pained expression in his own eyes.
Ava bit her lip, her tongue lightly grazing her crimson lips as her body twisted restlessly, punctuated by uncomfortable moans.
Observing the woman, her eyes tightly shut and seemingly delirious, a thought crossed his mind. She wouldn't know if he kissed her—just once would be fine.
William's large hand gently cradled her face, his lips inching closer with each passing moment.
Yet, just as his lips were a hair's breadth away from hers, Ava murmured softly, "Alex... I love you."
...
Time seemed to stand still, the world around them frozen in this singular moment.
William stared blankly at Ava, watching as her lips curled into a sweet smile. She turned away, snuggling into the pillow as if it were a lover's embrace, whispering, "Honey, I need a hug."
...
A visceral pain pierced William's heart, an agony so profound it felt as though his head was being forced underwater, struggling for breath against the overwhelming current.
Eventually, he sighed quietly, straightened his posture, and pulled the blanket over her shoulders. He sat by her bed, his tall figure slumped in silence, a portrait of desolation and loneliness.
Suddenly, movement caught his eye. Looking up, he saw Victoria standing at the door, a smug expression on her face as she observed the unfolding drama.
William's brow furrowed instantly. Rising from his seat, he strode towards the door, his voice low, "What are you doing here?"
"Why are you in her room?" Victoria shot back.
Without a word, William closed the door and grasped Victoria's wrist, leading her away from the room.
Victoria jerked her hand away, "You're hurting me."
She rubbed her wrist, a look of surprise crossing her face. Her brother had never been so rough with her before.
"She's got a fever and I was just taking care of her," William explained, his eyes shifting uneasily, guilt tingeing his features.
"Oh, is that so? Taking care of her, right," Victoria said with a sly smile, "I can see that—you're ‘taking care’ of your friend, of course you have to."
Victoria's voice dripped with sarcasm, hinting at an unspoken implication.
William replied coldly, "Exactly, taking care of a friend is perfectly normal, isn't it? So you shouldn't talk nonsense."
Victoria flashed a sweet smile. "Will, I'm lost. If looking after a friend is so normal for you, why worry about me saying anything? Unless the 'care' you're providing is so out of line you're afraid Ava will find out. After all, she considers you a friend, but you..."
"Shut your mouth," William snapped, pinning her against the wall and covering her mouth with his hand. "Don't spout nonsense."
Victoria pushed his hand away forcefully, her voice filled with righteous indignation, "I'm not spouting nonsense, I saw it with my own eyes that you want to kiss her."
