Chapter 7

After the phone call with Selena, Yarrick gave up on resting and decided to visit Hailey in the hospital again. Since he had already promised her he would return as soon as he could, he had to keep his word. With that thought, he got ready and left the dorm.

At 3:30 pm, he was back in Room 6 at the ICU. Due to Hailey’s special circumstances, he was allowed to visit her anytime he wished.

“Yarrick here to see your wife again?”

The moment he entered the room, he ran into the nurse from before.

“Yeah,” Yarrick answered with a nod and an embarrassed smile. He, a young man in his early 20s, had married a comatose wife… It was indeed something ludicrous that one would usually only hear in the news. He wondered if everyone in the hospital already knew about their marriage.

“Okay, I’ll leave you two alone to chat. Don’t hesitate to call for me if you need anything.”

“Got it. Thanks, miss.”

The nurse left the room with a teasing smile on her face.

“Honey, I’m here to see you again…” Sitting down in the chair beside the bed, Yarrick took hold of Hailey’s smaller hand in both of his once more. Her hand didn’t seem as cold as before, as though a bit of warmth had returned to it.

“Honey, did you miss me? Do you know? I actually married you because a woman named Selena Lyse sought me out in hopes that our marriage would bring you good luck. I’m not pulling your leg here; everything is the truth.”

“Even now, I still feel as though I’m dreaming. I’m about to graduate from university soon, but I already have a wife and a job lined up. Don’t you think I’m incredibly lucky?”

As Yarrick talked to her in a gentle voice, he gently stroked her hand. Gradually, one of his hands traveled up to brush against her arm. It was soft and cool to the touch.

“Hmm?”

Yarrick suddenly felt her hand moving as she clearly gripped his hand back slightly.

“Honey, you moved your hand again! That’s great! I’m cheering you on, okay?”

While speaking, Yarrick continued to stroke her arm, slowly moving up until he reached her shoulder. Due to her illness, she looked thin and frail. Any further up, and he would be able to touch her face.

The sight of her deathly pale face and sunken cheeks caused Yarrick’s heart to feel heavy. It was quite distressing. Sure, he knew their marriage wasn’t built on actual feelings, but they were still husband and wife! For an inexplicable reason, he felt as though an invisible rope was tying them together.

“Honey, can I touch your face? You’re really pretty. If we weren’t in the hospital right now, I would’ve definitely kissed you. I didn’t even get to kiss you during the wedding ceremony on Monday! Since you aren’t saying anything, I’m taking it as you giving me permission,” Yarrick murmured.

A few seconds later, Yarrick gathered the courage and reached out to touch Hailey’s face. Much like the rest of her body, it was cold and soft.

“Honey, you’re truly beautiful. Please wake up soon, okay? And get better too. That way, I’ll be able to cook for you every day. I heard from Selena that you’ve never been married. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could marry such a gorgeous woman. I’m genuinely overjoyed.”

For a moment, Yarrick couldn’t bring himself to stop stroking her face. Though she appeared gaunt, the sensation of her soft skin was still rather tender.

Suddenly, Yarrick felt Hailey’s hand shifting again, seemingly squeezing his. He also swore her temperature had gone up slightly as well.

To his surprise, talking to her really was working, and the effect was rather obvious! He had only been talking to her for a short while, yet she was now capable of squeezing his hand! Though it had only lasted a few seconds, it had been a voluntary action!

“You’re amazing, honey! Continue to do your best, okay?”

Yarrick couldn’t help but be delighted at the weak response from Hailey. If it was as the doctor said and her will to live grew stronger, who was to say she wouldn’t recover? In that case, there was a good chance he would be able to get…

As for what would happen if she fully recovered, Yarrick assumed that would mean the end of their marriage. Of course, he wouldn’t have any lingering feelings of attachment since this was fundamentally just a business transaction. Besides, though he could accept being in a relationship with an older woman, it wasn’t exactly up to him, was it? It all depended on fate.

Yarrick was gently brushing his fingers across Hailey’s face when the room door swung open with a soft creaking sound. Shocked, he jerked back and quickly withdrew the hand he had been using to touch Hailey’s face. Kissing her face was a rather intimate action, so it was best if he didn’t do it in front of others.

When he turned his head, he saw that it was the nurse leading Selena in.

“Yarrick, I can’t thank you enough.”

Chapter 8

“You’re being too kind, Selena.”

“Oh my god! I’ll go contact Dr. Waller!”

Yarrick and Selena had barely finished speaking when the nurse let out a soft exclamation before rushing out of the room again.

“I didn’t expect you to be so dedicated to the job.”

“Well, I’m just doing my job. Plus, the doctor said talking to her more would aid in her recovery, and there’s that two million dollars,” Yarrick answered with a shrug. He didn’t actually have any feelings for Hailey. If anything, it was more so a feeling of obligation. To say he was doing this for the two million dollars was certainly more believable.

“I see. Don’t worry, Yarrick. That amount of money really doesn’t mean much to me. In truth, wanting you to bring her good luck is one thing. Another reason is that I hope Hailey has a man to keep her company during her last moments so that she won’t be so lonely…”

As Selena was speaking, Yarrick surreptitiously released Hailey’s hand.

Seeing that, Selena sighed and urged, “Go on and hold her hand. Don’t let go. It’s fine.” She hoped Yarrick could be braver. As far as she could remember, Hailey had never ever had a boyfriend, so to have such a handsome young man by her side during her last moments was a comforting thought.