Chapter 24

Joe suspected Skylar had feigned her fall into his arms, but his impatience vanished after hearing her explanation. Her face was pale, and sweat beaded on her forehead; she looked ill.

“I’m okay,” she said. “Take me back to Galaxy Villa. I don’t want Grandma to worry, and I don’t want to pass my cold on to her.”

Joe nodded, removing his suit jacket and placing it over Skylar’s shoulders. He then put his arm around her as they hurried out.

Jeffrey and Maisy were pushing their way through the crowd, nearly reaching Joe when he quickly departed with Skylar. They tried to follow but were stopped by staff, who explained Joe was using a VIP exit.

Jeffrey and Maisy were mortified. They had been so close! What terrible luck!

Before they reached the car, Skylar heard Joe call Gloria and ask Paul to drive her car back to Galaxy Villa. The diamond ring Joe had purchased would be sent to Pearlhall Residence by the auction house. Skylar fell asleep in the car, listening to Joe.

Joe watched Skylar sleep quietly in the corner, her head resting against the car window. She was noticeably shorter than him—probably around five foot seven—but she looked tiny nestled there. She was crying silently. Joe wondered if her discomfort stemmed from her illness or some other worry. Her tears, illuminated by the neon lights, clung to her eyelashes, making her look like a neglected, bullied child. He was curious about her past.

Was it because of Christopher? Had she married Joe to spite Christopher? The thought inexplicably saddened him.

“Drive faster,” he said coldly to Lucas.

Half an hour later, they arrived at Galaxy Villa. The Martins’ family doctor performed a quick examination and confirmed it was a common cold, prescribing medication.

After the doctor left, Joe, tugging at his tie, approached Skylar’s bed and used a thermometer to check her temperature: 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Skylar, get up and take your medicine.”

Groggy and unable to hear clearly, Skylar registered only the word “medicine.” Suddenly, she felt disoriented, unsure if she was in her present life or dreaming. Memories of Christopher and Maisy forcing torturous medicine down her throat, burning her body and leaving her psychologically traumatized, flooded back.

“No. I won’t take it.”

Her feverish voice was hoarse. Tears streamed down her cold, pale face despite her tightly closed eyes. She couldn't stop crying.

Was she this delicate? Joe pursed his lips.

He was about to force her to take the medicine when Gloria called.

“How’s Skye? Did you take care of her? You brat, Skye’s your darling wife now! You need to behave and take good care of her when she’s sick!”

Joe, after hearing Gloria’s scolding, said tightly, “She has a fever. I was just about to give her medicine.”

“What? A fever? That’s serious! Then why are you still here? Hang up and take care of Skye!”

Joe hung up, speechless, and looked at Skylar. Curled up, her fever-flushed face still tear-streaked, she was a heartbreaking sight.