“Of course, I’m glad to see you,” Emily replied, forcing a strained smile as she gestured for Ethan and Jessica to step inside. “Please, come in.”
Once inside, Ethan’ voice softened, dipping into a husky whisper. “Emily, where are you feeling unwell?”
“I’m running a fever,” Emily murmured, her voice low and measured. She played the part convincingly, though the fever was genuine.
Jessica moved closer, her calm composure unwavering. She pressed her hand lightly against Emily’s forehead, holding it there for a few moments.
After her brief assessment, Jessica withdrew her hand and remarked evenly, “It doesn’t seem too bad—not a high fever.”
Her tone turned practical as she asked, “Do you have any fever medication here, Miss Reed?”
Emily shook her head. “No, I don’t.”
Jessica turned to Ethan with quiet authority. “You should go to the pharmacy and get some medicine for her fever.”
Emily’s lips pressed into a tight line. Jessica’s assertive tone grated on her, but she chose to hold her tongue.
Ethan hesitated for a moment, his gaze flicking between the two women, then gave a curt nod and left without another word.
Now, only Jessica and Emily remained in the room.
Jessica maintained her composed demeanor, a faint smile curving her lips. “No fever medicine, huh? But surely, you have ice packs?”
Emily hesitated briefly, then nodded. “Yes, I do.”
“Perfect,” Jessica replied breezily. “Just wrap one in a towel and place it on your forehead. It’ll help bring down the fever.”
Emily stayed silent, her expression unreadable, before turning and heading to the kitchen.
A few minutes later, she returned to the living room, an ice pack wrapped in a towel pressed against her forehead as she settled onto the sofa.
Jessica sauntered over and took a seat in the chair opposite, her posture effortlessly poised. Crossing her legs, she regarded Emily with a slight smirk.
“It seems you didn’t take my advice to heart, Miss Reed,” Jessica said lightly, her tone tinged with mockery.
Emily’s eyes flickered, but she maintained her composure. Pressing her lips together, she replied softly, “Mrs. Clark, you’ve misunderstood. I was alone, feverish, and feeling frightened. Ryan always turns off his phone at night, so I couldn’t reach him. In that moment of panic, I didn’t know who else to call but Ethan.”
Jessica arched her eyebrows, her expression one of exaggerated innocence. “Oh? Is that so? You could have called an ambulance. Paramedics would’ve taken care of you.”
Emily lowered her gaze, her voice earnest and gentle. “Perhaps you don’t understand, but I’ve spent much of my life in hospitals due to my poor health. Those experiences have left me with a deep fear of hospitals. I avoid them unless absolutely necessary.”
Jessica’s smirk deepened inwardly, though outwardly she feigned understanding. She nodded, as if genuinely sympathetic.
“I see. That’s unfortunate,” she replied smoothly. “But even so, Miss Reed, Ethan isn’t the right person to call. He’s not a doctor, and his presence won’t cure you. Here’s an idea—why don’t we exchange numbers? Next time you feel unwell in the middle of the night, you can call me directly. I’d be more than happy to help since I am a doctor.”
Jessica casually pulled out her phone, tapping the screen as she prepared to add Emily’s contact information.
Emily’s expression stiffened, though she maintained her polite facade. Smiling tightly, she declined, “Thank you for the offer, Mrs. Clark, but that won’t be necessary.”
Jessica tilted her head slightly, her gaze gleaming with subtle amusement. “Oh? Why not, Miss Reed? Surely there’s no harm in having my number.”
Her tone shifted, laced with a hint of mockery as she added, “Or is it that your ailments can only be soothed by Ethan?”
For a brief moment, Emily’s mask faltered. A flash of discomfort flickered across her face before she quickly regained control. Jessica’s sharp words had clearly struck a nerve.