Chapter 282 For the remaining time, if you don't give up on me, I will definitely not leave you.
James tensed involuntarily, his heart pounding against his ribs. The discomfort was immediate and severe. Any strain on his muscles induced agonizing jolts throughout his damaged skin, serving as a relentless reminder of his wounds.
The bandages on his leg had been loosened to allow him to use the bathroom, which meant Jennifer could assist him. It was an awkward situation, to say the least. Despite being married, their relationship hadn't progressed beyond that label. They hadn't even shared a kiss.
The air crackled with a strange mix of tension and an unfamiliar thrill.
"Maybe I should try myself," James whispered, hating to put Jennifer in such an uncomfortable position.
Jennifer shook her head, her cheeks flushed but her gaze resolute. "The nurse is right. It's my responsibility as your wife."
"But Jennifer, we..."
"It doesn't matter," she interrupted, her voice firm despite her blush. "You risked your life for those people. This is nothing compared to that."
With a deep breath, Jennifer began to help James remove his pants. However, as his charred and mutilated thigh came into sight, she halted, her breath catching in her throat. Tears welled up in her eyes, making them sparkle. She reached out a hesitant hand, her fingers ghosting over the injured flesh. "It must have been so painful," she whispered, her voice thick with unshed tears.
James forced a casual shrug, looking away. "It was nothing. I barely felt it at the time. I just wanted to get everyone out."
Jennifer bit her lip, her gaze unwavering. "And now?"
"Now?" James chuckled, feigning nonchalance. "It's fine. Honestly. Look at you, you're about to cry. I'm much better. Just need some rest and I'll be right as rain."
His attempt at humor backfired. Jennifer's eyes flashed with anger. "Don't be ridiculous! You could have died! Did you even think about what would happen to me if..." Her voice cracked, the unspoken question hanging heavy in the air.
James stared at her, genuinely surprised by the raw emotion in her voice. Jennifer, who always avoided confrontation, was now looking at him with an intensity he'd never seen before.
"You said you'd be better off without me," he reminded her, a bitter edge creeping into his voice.
Jennifer's composure faltered for a moment before returning full force. "Don't be stupid," she retorted, her voice softer now. "I was angry. I didn't mean it."
Her words, spoken with such unexpected ferocity, chipped away at the last vestiges of his anger. Looking at her now, his wife, the woman who shared his life, he felt a wave of tenderness wash over him. Maybe it was time to give Jennifer a chance. To give themselves a chance.
"Jennifer," he began, his voice softening, "have you truly decided to be my wife?"
Jennifer's eyes widened slightly, then softened as she met his gaze. She nodded slowly. "Yes, James. I have. As long as you don't give up on me, I won't give up on us."
Her voice was barely a whisper, but the conviction in her words resonated deeply within him. It was a vow spoken from the heart.
James felt a weight lift from his chest. He could see the sincerity in her eyes, the quiet determination that mirrored his own. The last of his anger dissipated.
But there were still things that needed to be said. "What if," he asked, his voice serious, "what if one day you discover that the man you think you know...isn't who I really am?"
Jennifer's brow furrowed as she searched his gaze, while James calmly awaited her response.
Finally, she spoke, her voice firm despite the tremor in her chest. "I will stay."
"Good," James breathed, a genuine smile gracing his lips for the first time since the accident.
They fell silent, a new understanding settling between them. Jennifer reached for his pants again, but before she could continue, a sharp knock sounded at the door.
"Jennifer? Are you in there? Why is the door locked?"
Harmony's voice, laced with concern, cut through the quiet intimacy of the room.
Jennifer froze, her hand flying to her hair as if caught doing something wrong. Her panicked reaction made James roll his eyes. She was his wife, for God's sake, not his mistress.
And what was Harmony doing here so early? Didn't she have a job to go to? To be honest, James found her constant presence rather tiresome, especially after their last encounter. It wasn't just annoyance he felt towards her anymore, but a strange sense of apprehension. That woman had a knack for turning up at the most inconvenient times.
"What's she doing here? Shouldn't she be at work?" he muttered under his breath, frustrated that their moment had been interrupted. He really needed to use the bathroom, and now, thanks to Harmony's untimely arrival, he was stuck.
Jennifer shot him a warning look. "Don't be like that. She's worried about you. She's been beside herself since the accident."
James raised an eyebrow at her, his expression clearly saying, "You do realize she's your competition, right?"
Jennifer blushed, understanding his unspoken accusation. She bit her lip, then glared at him. "This is all your fault!" she hissed before turning away to answer the door.
James stared after her, bewildered. How was this his fault?
Jennifer quickly smoothed down her clothes and wiped away the stray tear tracks on her cheeks. Subsequent to a final appraisal in the mirror to guarantee her appearance was acceptable, she proceeded to unlock and open the door.
Harmony stood in the hallway, her face devoid of makeup, eyes red-rimmed and puffy. Dark circles underlined her eyes, evidence of a sleepless night. She looked exhausted.
"Jennifer, why was the door locked?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. She held up a paper bag, a tired smile gracing her lips. "I brought you some breakfast. You must be starving after being up all night. Go get some rest, I'll stay with James."
Without waiting for a response, Harmony brushed past Jennifer and entered the room. James, with his back to the door, was still hidden from view.
"Jennifer, why is James on his side?" Harmony asked, her brow furrowed in concern. "Didn't the doctor say he needs to minimize movement?"
She turned to face the bed, her words dying in her throat as she came face to face with James. He was awake, watching her with an amused smirk playing on his lips.
"Morning, Ms. Brown," he greeted, his voice laced with amusement.
Harmony froze, the cup she was holding slipping from her grasp and crashing to the floor.
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