Chapter 167 Carry Her Back to the Bloom Villa
Aurelia was dozing off during the ride. She knew she was in Nathaniel's arms, and though it felt wrong, she was too tired to fight it.
Being in his arms was oddly comforting. Feeling sick made her vulnerable, and she nestled against his chest, tears in her eyes.
She loved the warmth but hated herself for not staying indifferent. Nathaniel always threw her off balance.
The car quickly reached Bloom Villa. Nathaniel carried her out, with Zack rushing to open the door.
Betty, just back from bringing food to Chelsea, hurried over. "What happened to Mrs. Heilbronn?"
Nathaniel carried Aurelia upstairs and told Betty, "Get some warm water and make light oatmeal. She has a fever."
He took her to the primary bedroom, laid her on the bed, and loosened his tie. It was peak summer, and carrying her had soaked his shirt.
Aurelia, lying on the familiar bed, noticed nothing had changed since she left; even the bedding was the same. She guessed Nathaniel hadn't been back much during this time.
Nathaniel sighed and asked, "Awake?"
Aurelia weakly replied, "Yes."
"Take your medicine now," Nathaniel said.
Betty, waiting at the door with water, knocked and brought it in.
Nathaniel finally had a chance to look at the big bag of medications, frowning as he inspected each box. "Is this doctor clueless? Why prescribe two sets of the same meds? Can you even take all these together?"
Aurelia sat up a bit. "I'll just take a few. It's just a minor cold." She was worried he'd find out about her pregnancy.
She remembered the meds for pregnant women and picked out two boxes. "I'll take these, which seem milder."
Nathaniel was annoyed. "What's wrong with those doctors? I’ve invested so much money, and that's how the doctors do their jobs?"
He picked up his phone to make a call.
Aurelia panicked. Was he going to complain? Nathaniel had donated a whole building at that hospital. If he complained, the doctor would be in trouble.
"Don't complain. I asked for the extra meds. Some aren't easy to find, so I'm stocked up." Aurelia tried her best to make a weak excuse.
Nathaniel looked at her. "Are you crazy? No one stocks up on this much medication! With a family doctor, we're never short on meds."
Aurelia hesitated. "I just wanted to make things easier."
As she spoke, his call connected. "Dr. Carter, are you busy right now? Could you come to Bloom Villa?" Nathaniel asked.
Aurelia's palms were sweaty. If Dr. Carter came, he'd definitely mention her pregnancy. That would mean she could never escape this love triangle.
Feeling powerless, Aurelia leaned against the headboard, unable to hear Nathaniel's phone conversation. Her heart pounded, and she was torn between curiosity and fear about his reaction if he found out she was pregnant. In just two minutes, she imagined a hundred different scenarios.
Nathaniel kept talking while sorting through the meds. After hanging up, he picked a few. "Dr. Carter's out of town getting meds and can't come. Take these for now. If the fever's still there when you wake up, we'll get another doctor."
Aurelia sighed in relief. Thank goodness Dr. Carter wasn't coming; she wasn't ready for that confrontation.
Nathaniel had chosen the meds she intended to take—the ones for pregnant women. He handed her the pills and water, treating her like a child who couldn't manage on her own.
It was strange that he'd never been this attentive to anyone before.
After she took the meds, Nathaniel went to shower and changed while Aurelia lay down, already feeling the effects of the medicine.
He looked at her small figure on the bed. Despite seeming easy to bully, she was anything but.
In the past two months, he'd learned Aurelia was strong-willed and kept things to herself. She had her own opinions and couldn't be easily swayed. There was a toughness in her that belied her vulnerable appearance.
Nathaniel remembered Dr. Carter's advice: "Don't cover up when you have a fever. Use meds and physical cooling, like wiping the body with a towel."
He realized he probably didn't have the right to touch her now; their relationship was so strained that a simple touch could lead to trouble. With that in mind, he dismissed the thought of wiping her body.
As Aurelia breathed evenly, Nathaniel walked to the bedside, brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, and softly asked, "Do you really want to cut off all contact with me?"
Nathaniel whispered, his finger tracing her delicate eyelashes, thinking about those beautiful eyes that had looked at him with such coldness, causing a pang in his heart.
He moved his hand away from her chin, stopping before he went too far.
He pulled back the covers slightly, remembering the doctor's advice not to cover up, as it could hinder heat dissipation.
After that, Nathaniel headed downstairs. Betty was busy in the kitchen cooking oatmeal. Seeing him, she asked, "How is Mrs. Heilbronn?"
Glancing at the pot, Nathaniel replied, "She took her medicine and went to sleep. Help her change later. If she wakes up and the fever's still there, use a damp towel to cool her down. Keep the oatmeal warm and give it to her whenever she wants."
Betty sighed in relief. She'd been waiting for Nathaniel to bring Aurelia back so she could reply to Reed.
It was the first time Nathaniel had given her so many instructions about Aurelia. Betty made sure to remember every detail, afraid of forgetting anything.
Aurelia slept soundly, slipping into a dreamy haze. In her dreams, there was Penelope, Brenda, Norman, and even Chelsea.
"Mrs. Heilbronn, are you awake?"
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