Chapter 705 To Get Married
At the hospital bed, Meryl unzipped her medical acupuncture kit, preparing to treat Felix.
Felix glanced at the clock โ it was barely eight in the morning. He asked casually, "Have you eaten yet?"
Merylโs hand paused slightly, then she answered softly, "I have."
Felixโs sharp eyes lingered on her face, as if picking up on something unspoken. "I had Philip prepare some soup," he said. "Itโs supposed to be good for postpartum recovery. Even if youโve eaten, have some more."
Meryl froze and instinctively turned to look. Right on cue, Philip walked in with a thermos. "Itโs still hot, Mrs. Aniston. You should drink it while itโs warm."
The soup was a classic remedy to replenish energy โ perfect for someone whoโd just given birth.
Merylโs emotions were all over the place. She thought, "Felix? A man with neither wife nor kids? How does he even know about such soup?" She frowned, staring at him for a moment.
"What?" Felix quipped, smirking. "Feeling touched?" Lying on the hospital bed, he was still too injured to move much. "Well, in that case, ditch Chandler and marry me. What do you say? Most guys wouldnโt want to raise another manโs kid, but I donโt mind."
Meryl stayed silent, her thoughts unreadable. She picked up the soup and took a big gulp. The warmth spread through her body, chasing away her fatigue. She wondered, "Could someone truly not care about raising another manโs child?"
Watching her down the soup in one go, Felix couldnโt help but complain. "Hey, slow down. No oneโs fighting you for it. Wait, let me have a taste. Save me a sip."
It was too late. Meryl had drained the plate clean.
Felix looked at her, visibly displeased. "Seriously? You couldnโt leave me a little? Was it that good?"
Meryl set the empty plate aside and replied calmly, "I already drank from it."
Felix raised an eyebrow. "And? I donโt mind."
Maybe it was everything theyโd been through together, but Meryl found herself seeing Felix in a new light. Sure, he came off as unreliable, but once he considered someone a friend, heโd go all in for them.
Suddenly, she asked, "That day, when you ran out to save me, what were you thinking? Werenโt you afraid?"
Felix shrugged, his tone as nonchalant as ever. "Of course I was. Acting against basic human instinct isnโt exactly easy."
He wasnโt wrong. Most peopleโs first reaction to danger was to avoid it โ it was human nature. Yet Felix had done the opposite, charging headlong into danger. If not for his sheer willpower and determination, even a secondโs hesitation mightโve cost Meryl her life.
Felixโs gaze wandered. "I remember you once told me that nothing in this world truly belongs to us. The only things we own are our feelings and experiences. Living is about making the most of each day โ watching life grow, feeling joy and sorrow, and embracing all that life has to offer."
"I figured you probably didnโt want to die just yet. If trading my life could save yours, itโd be worth it. Honestly, Iโve never found life all that meaningful anyway."
Though Felix spoke lightly, his words stirred something deep within Meryl. When Felix ran toward her that day, heโd been fully prepared to die. He knew the risks, yet he didnโt hesitate. And they werenโt even close friends.
"You saved me," Meryl said, finding the right acupuncture point. She jabbed it into Felix with precision. "Hate to disappoint you, but my acupuncture skills are pretty solid. Now that youโre awake, dying isnโt an option." With that, she jabbed him again.
Felix, as lazy as ever, deliberately misinterpreted her words. "So eager for me to stick around, huh? Want me to keep you company?"
Despite his pale complexion from blood loss, Felix chuckled softly, his voice low and magnetic. "I saved you. Does that meanโฆ youโre mine now?"
His teasing tone made Merylโs ears burn.
"If you donโt say anything, Iโll take that as a yes." Felixโs Adamโs apple bobbed slightly as he reached out and hooked his hand around the back of her head.
The sudden closeness startled Meryl. She looked away awkwardly, her voice flustered. "What are you doing?" She could feel his warm breath brushing against her neck, making her skin flush.
"What else?" Felix grinned, his lips curving mischievously. "I want to kiss you."
Leaning closer, he lowered his gaze, inching toward her. Just as their lips were about to meet, Meryl jabbed the acupuncture point on his forehead.
Felix froze. His head, which had been lifting toward her, suddenly dropped back onto the pillow, completely limp. He lay there, eyes closed, as if heโd fallen asleep.
Meryl stared at his handsome face for a while before speaking softly. "Sorry, even if I want to divorce Chandler, weโre still married right now. I wonโt cross that line."
Meryl had her principles. She wouldnโt entertain a new relationship until her current one was truly over โ it was about respect for everyone involved. She wasnโt sure if Felix, lying there silently, heard her or not. Maybe she was just saying it for herself.
Carefully, she packed up her acupuncture kit and turned to leave. Outside, she told Philip, "Felix is asleep. Heโll wake up in about half an hour."
Philip nodded, thinking nothing of it. Once Meryl left, Philip returned to the room โ only to see Felixโs eyes wide open.
Philip froze in shock, glancing at the door Meryl had just walked out of. He scratched his head, puzzled. He thought, "Did I mishear earlier? Mrs. Aniston said Mr. Powell wouldnโt wake up for another half an hour, didnโt she? Yet here he is, very much awake."
Felixโs expression was thoughtful, almost amused. Although Meryl had immobilized him, heโd heard every word she said. He thought, "Is she really planning to divorce Chandler?"
A quiet chuckle escaped him at the thought.
"Mr. Powellโฆ" Philip asked hesitantly, noticing Felixโs strange smile. "Why are you laughing?"
Felix turned to him, his tone serious. "How much money do I have in my account?"
Philip blinked, utterly confused. "What?"
He thought, "Mr. Powell never cares about his finances. Why the sudden interest?"
"Youโve been in prison for ten years," Philip explained, still baffled. "Most of your dividends from the Powell family shares have gone toward smoothing things over."
Felix wasnโt exactly a model prisoner. Heโd pick fights one day and provoke guards the next. Naturally, the Powell family didnโt cover those expenses.
Felix frowned, impatient. "Just give me a number."
Philip hesitated. "Between your cash and shares, and excluding your two properties, Iโd say you have about 800 thousand dollars left."
Felixโs face turned serious. "Only 800 thousand dollars?"
Philip couldnโt help but ask, "Why do you want to know?"
Felixโs reply was calm, but it left Philip utterly speechless. "To get married."