Once I figured all that out, I realized there was no point in beating myself up over it anymore.

People with real power always stood above the rest, living on another level. Only those who had tasted that kind of privilege could ever understand its true allure.

Just as I was about to doze off, the hospital room door suddenly creaked open. Maybe it was just a draft from the hallway, but the sound sent a jolt straight to my nerves.

My scalp tingled as I snapped my eyes to the door. It had stopped moving, but it was still hanging wide open.

Right then, my mind was instantly swamped with all those real-life horror stories I’d seen in TikTok comment sections back in my previous life.

I felt a cold sweat break out all over me. I wanted to dive under the covers, but it just felt too stifling to hide.

Nope, I just couldn’t do it. I’ve always been a total coward, and there was no way I could stay awake in the middle of the night, staring at that open door in a hospital room.

The longer I stared, the more my imagination ran wild. Suddenly, I heard a few noises from the hallway that sounded kind of like a kitten, and it sent chills down my spine.

I called out softly, “Nathan, are you awake?”

Nathan replied, “Yeah, still up.”

“Um… the hospital room door… seems like it’s open,” I said, my voice trembling.

Nathan glanced over and said lightly, “Probably just the wind.”

Guys never get spooked like women do–they’re always braver, not as jumpy or sensitive. Nathan just figured the door was open because of the wind, nothing more.

But in my previous life, I used to scroll through TikTok comment sections all the time, reading all those creepy real stories from nurses and doctors. Right now, my head was packed full of those spooky tales.

“Nathan, I’m really cold… Can I maybe squeeze in with you for a bit?” I asked, practically begging.

“Come here,” Nathan replied, his voice low and gentle.

Honestly, I didn’t care about anything else at that point–I tossed off the blanket and dashed straight to his bed.

Nathan’s right hand was hurt, so he could only sleep on his side. By the time I got over, he’d already lifted the warm blanket for me.

I curled up under the blanket, pulling all my arms and legs in.

Nathan looked a little caught off guard by how natural I was about it. He stiffened for a moment, then whispered, “Not much room here… I don’t know where to put my hand.”

I took his hurt hand and placed it on my waist myself. “It’s okay, just leave it here.”

Nathan let out a quiet laugh behind me. “Victoria, are you scared?”

“No way!” I shot back, trying to sound tough.

Just then, the hospital room door made a few more soft creaks. I squeezed my eyes shut, practically crying inside–don’t tell me that door’s about to close by itself.

Thankfully, it didn’t close. The wind just pushed it open a little more.

Nathan just started teasing me. “Admit it, you’re scared. You’re shaking all over.”

“Don’t talk, just go to sleep,” I said seriously.

Nathan sighed helplessly. “There’s no way I can fall asleep with you in my arms.”

I paused–wait, am I really making the patient lose sleep?

But honestly, there was no way I was brave enough to go back to that couch alone.

“Nathan, don’t get any funny ideas. We’re in a hospital and you’re injured,” I whispered, trying to keep him in check.

“I know. If I wasn’t hurt, I wouldn’t be here, squeezed up next to you like this,” Nathan replied, his voice low and rough. Then he brushed a soft kiss against my earlobe. “Victoria, you smell so good.”

“Nathan, if I wasn’t scared, I wouldn’t have crawled over here. Just put up with me for now, okay?” I finally admitted I was afraid.

“Seriously? That scared?” Nathan teased, grinning at me.

I just let him tease me. It was already the middle of the night, and sleepiness was finally catching up to me.

His embrace was so warm and cozy that I drifted off in no time.

Nathan spent the whole night lying on his side, holding me in his arms. With not enough pillows to go around, his arm became my pillow for the night.

It was just after seven when the doctor and nurses came in for their morning rounds. Nathan and I were still out cold, totally knocked out.

“Young couples are the best, can’t even sleep without snuggling up together,” an older nurse teased, laughing as she walked in.

I snapped awake, eyes wide, and saw a whole group of doctors and nurses standing right there in the room.

Nathan woke up too, and I quickly sat up from his arms, blurting out, “Are you here for the morning check?”

The doctor came over to Nathan, pulled up his shirt for a quick look at the wound, then ran through the usual questions.

He didn’t say much else–just reminded Nathan to take it easy and keep the wound away from water, then headed out.

I awkwardly shot Nathan a look. His handsome face was burning red–he was just as embarrassed as I was.

The moment I lifted the blanket, Nathan instantly woke up and yanked it right back down.

“I… I’m gonna go wash up,” I stammered, still flustered, and made a quick escape.