Chapter 14
The room was pitch dark when a figure suddenly shot up from the bed.
Summer was gasping for breath, sweat soaking her pillow as it trickled down from her forehead.
The bedroom door creaked open, and the light snapped on.
A man rushed in and pulled her into his arms.
His large hand gently pressed against her back in a soothing rhythm.
Summer trembled like a leaf, sweat pouring down her body in rivulets.
But Caleb Stone didn’t mind at all.
He just held her there, wordlessly comforting her, until she gradually calmed down..
Her gaze shifted from dazed to focused as she looked up at him, then slowly lowered her eyes.
“…Sorry. I’m troubling you again.
“It’s alright. Another nightmare?” he asked softly, concern lacing every word.
“Did you remember to take your meds today?”
Still a bit dazed, Summer reached under her pillow for the bottle of pills.
She opened it and stared at the empty container, then lowered her head like a guilty student.
“I ran out… I forgot to buy more.”
A flicker of pain crossed Caleb’s eyes. “Wait here.”
He gently ran his fingers through her damp hair, then turned and walked out.
Moments later, he returned with a fresh bottle of medication.
He had backups of everything–her prescription, her medical records, and all the daily restrictions
she was supposed to follow.
Summer’s mental state had been fragile–at times numb, at times breaking down in tears.
Caleb had canceled all his business trips and started working from home, just to be with her.
He could never forget the day he picked her up from the airport.
L
She’d been wheeled out on a stretcher and rushed straight to the nearest hospital.
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The blood on her body had soaked her clothes–and stabbed him straight through the heart.
Summer’s mother had fainted at the sight, but not out of worry.
She was terrified that if Summer died, the engagement between the Reeves and Stone families
would be void.
Only after hearing Caleb’s repeated assurances, and seeing how he stayed by Summer’s side day and night, did Mrs. Reeves finally breathe easy.
When Summer woke up, she was left with severe psychological trauma.
It had been Caleb who walked her through those dark days.
But in her world, there had only ever been her.
Most of the time, she’d sit alone in a daze for hours. No matter who called her, she wouldn’t
respond.
Mrs. Reeves was completely drained.
When Caleb suggested bringing her home to recover, Mrs. Reeves was so thrilled she immediately
packed Summer’s things, eager to send her off with him.
The engagement between their two families hadn’t yet been made public, and though they lived
under the same roof, Caleb never overstepped.
Under his meticulous care, Summer gradually got better.
At least now, she could understand others, and occasionally respond to conversations.
But she remained guarded, keeping everyone at arm’s length–everyone except Caleb.
He brought her a glass of warm water and held it out.
Summer, as if by habit, took it naturally.
After she drank, he gently wiped her face with a towel.
She looked up at him, her voice still airy. “Thank you… I can do it myself.”
Caleb caught her hand mid–reach. “Get some rest. I’ll take you to the park tomorrow.”
There was something about his voice–like a spell–that always calmed her.
She nodded obediently.
Caleb retrieved a fresh set of pajamas he had bought for her and laid them neatly beside her bed.
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Just as he was about to leave, Summer spoke softly again.
“…Thank you.”
Caleb’s heart twisted with ache.
This version of Summer–so quiet, so obedient–made his chest hurt.
Chapter 14
