CHAPTER 38: COLD WATER, BURNING SKIN

Oh my god...

Bianca’s face felt like it was on fire. Her heart pounded erratically, and her limbs froze for a second from the shock. She wanted to scream and scold the man, but she also realized Adrian didn’t mean to see her body. He looked just as horrified as she felt.

"Should I get you a towel or—" Adrian didn’t finish his sentence, his voice faltering mid-way. His face was flushed with guilt, and he looked as if he wanted to disappear on the spot, afraid Bianca had changed her mind because of what just happened.

"Cover your eyes with your hand. But not completely. Just look at the floor. I’m afraid you’ll bump into something again." Her voice was calm, but her fingers trembled slightly as she tried to stay composed.

"Okay." Adrian did exactly as Bianca told him, nodding quickly, embarrassed beyond words. His steps were careful and unsure, and he kept his hand firmly over his eyes as if his life depended on it.

After grabbing Bianca’s towel, Adrian carefully walked toward her, still shielding his eyes with his hand. "Here," he said, his voice a little hoarse, quickly shutting his eyes the moment a glimpse of Bianca’s bare skin flashed into view.

Bianca accepted it shyly and, with effort, wrapped herself in the towel robe Adrian had brought her. Her hands trembled slightly as she pulled the fabric around her, still trying to steady her breath.

"You can open your eyes now."

Adrian’s breath caught the moment he saw her. His chest tightened and his throat went dry. Water droplets traced their way from Bianca’s wet hair down her glowing face, leaving her looking fresh and radiant. His eyes followed every drop as if time had slowed. Her eyes looked clearer than ever, and Adrian felt like he could fall right into them. He forgot how to blink.

"Adrian."

She said his name quietly, and it snapped him out of it. He blinked fast, realizing he’d been staring.

"Huh? What? Can you stand? Do you need help?" he asked quickly, a bit flustered, his voice slightly higher than usual.

"Yeah. I need your help." Bianca nodded slightly, her cheeks still pink, her eyes avoiding his.

Adrian knelt and slipped one arm under her legs, the other around her back, lifting her in a gentle princess carry. Surprised, Bianca automatically wrapped her arms around his neck. Her face and ears turned red, completely taken aback that Adrian would carry her like that. Her heart thudded in her chest, and she could barely look at him.

"You don’t have to carry me," she whispered, her voice small.

"Shhhh..."

Adrian had to hold his breath. The scent of Bianca’s freshly showered skin was intoxicating. If he kept breathing her in, he was sure he’d lose his mind. He clenched his jaw slightly, trying to stay focused.

"Sorry for troubling you," Bianca murmured once she was settled on the bed, leaning back against the headboard. Her fingers tightened on the edge of the towel, still flustered.

"It’s fine. Which ankle hurts? Let me see." Adrian knelt down to examine her foot, his brows pulled together in concern.

"It’s getting better already," she lied quickly, her cheeks flushing deeper as she looked away. Her voice trembled slightly, not from the pain, but from the sheer awkwardness of the moment.

"Let me see it," Adrian said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

She was still damp from the shower, wrapped in nothing but a towel, and the memory of Adrian accidentally seeing her bare skin made her entire body tense.

Adrian paused for a second, sensing her discomfort. His expression softened. "You don’t have to be embarrassed," he said gently. "It wasn’t on purpose." But even as he spoke, he couldn’t stop the heat from creeping up his neck.

Bianca sighed softly and lifted her right foot a little—it was already starting to swell. She winced just from the motion. Adrian narrowed his eyes and sat beside her foot, gently wrapping his hands around her ankle to massage it carefully.

"Ouch! Ow! That hurts!" Bianca cried out in pain, jerking slightly.

"How did you even fall in the bathroom? So clumsy. You’re lucky it’s just your ankle. What if you hit your head on the floor, huh?" Adrian scolded, looking straight at her. His voice was harsh, but his eyes were filled with worry.

"Sorry." Bianca lowered her gaze, looking guilty. Her lips trembled a little, and she clutched the towel tighter, clearly embarrassed.

Seeing her expression, Adrian’s anger softened. He let out a heavy sigh and stood up, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Wait here. I’ll be right back." His voice was softer now, more gentle, but his steps were still quick as he walked away.

Twenty minutes later, Adrian came back holding a white plastic bag. His hair was slightly messy, and his coat looked a bit wrinkled from the rush.

"Where have you been?" Bianca asked curiously, trying to sound casual, though a part of her had started to worry.

"The pharmacy." His answer was short, but there was a softness in his tone now. He walked over and sat back down beside her feet.

Without another word, he carefully unwrapped the ointment and began applying it to her swollen ankle. His touch was light, gentle and careful. His brows furrowed in focus.

"This will help reduce the swelling," he said, his voice low.

Bianca inhaled quietly at the cool sensation of the cream, but more than that, at the tenderness in his hands. She lowered her gaze. "Thanks. And... sorry again for troubling you."

"You don’t have to apologize," Adrian said, lifting his eyes to meet hers. "It’s my responsibility as your husband to take care of you." His faint smile showed affection.

Bianca’s heart skipped a beat. The word husband didn’t usually hold much weight between them. Not like this. But hearing it now, spoken so sincerely, something fluttered in her chest. Her throat tightened, and her fingers curled slightly into the sheet.

She didn’t know what to say, so she just looked at him, at the man who was always cold, always distant, now tending to her so gently, like she mattered.

She swallowed. "You didn’t have to go through all this trouble."

Adrian shook his head, reaching into the plastic bag again. "Oh, I also got you a heat patch. Just in case you need it. And I bought some vitamins too." He handed her the bag without meeting her eyes this time.

Bianca stared at the items in her hands. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Yeah..."

After applying the medicine, Adrian stood up and walked into the bathroom, planning to take a quick shower. But the moment he closed the door behind him, his mind drifted unwillingly and vividly back to what had happened earlier.

Bianca’s bare skin.

The curve of her waist.

The way the towel clung to her body just moments ago.

He dragged a hand through his hair and let out a breath, trying to shake the image, but it wouldn’t leave him. It was burned into his mind. He didn’t mean to look. It wasn’t intentional. But now he couldn’t stop seeing her.

And it was driving him crazy.

Adrian cursed under his breath and pulled off his clothes, frustration and desire mixing in a way that made his whole body tense. He stepped into the shower and turned on the cold water, hoping the icy splash would shock his body into reason.

It didn’t.

His jaw clenched as the freezing water hit his skin, but it did nothing to put out the fire inside him.

Damn it.

***