novelnext Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Mark rarely expressed that he missed her, but he showed it in action. He would turn down work commitments to accompany Bella on business trips, he even stayed up late with her until late at night.
As the weather grew colder, Bella fell sick, catching a bad cold before she even noticed. Her boss granted her a few days off, but Bella stubbornly chose to work from home. She wrapped herself in a thick blanket as she typed away on her laptop. The deeper she got into her work, she felt even more dizzier.
When the doorbell rang, Bella immediately opened the door, thinking that it was the food delivery she ordered. However, she saw Mark standing at the door with a large bag.
He was dressed in a black coat with a wool scarf around his neck. He held a bag of medicine in one hand and a tote bag full of fresh groceries in the other. Before Bella could react, he stepped inside, closed the door behind him and took off his coat, ready to wash his hands and cook."Were you planning to order takeout again?" he teased. "Your personal chef is here to make you something warm."His long lashes cast shadows over his eyes as he smiled. Underneath the coat, he wore a comfortable sweatshirt. He leaned in to feel Bella's forehead."You have a fever," he frowned.
Without another word, he scooped her up effortlessly, adjusting the edges of her blanket as he carried her. Bella found herself gently lying on her bed. She could only watch as Mark tucked her in with care."Take your medicine and get some sleep," he instructed. "I'll wake you when the food is ready."Bella didn't know how long she had slept. When she woke, the sky outside was already dark. She stumbled out of bed, still groggy and followed the warm glow of the kitchen lights. There, she saw Mark standing. He was stirring a pot of porridge for what seemed like the hundredth time.
The scene before her was so heartwarming, a comfort that she had not experienced in a long time. Her chest tightened as she watched him cook, clumsily but earnestly and her heart skipped a beat as her mind shouted a warning."You're awake. Feeling any better?" Mark asked, his smile lighting up the room.
He turned off the stove and approached, placing his hand gently on her forehead."Your fever has gone. Sit down and I'll serve the porridge."He guided her to the couch and returned with a steaming bowl of porridge.
The moment he sat beside her, Bella wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his shoulder and breathing in his comforting scent."What's gotten into you?" he asked softly then he draped the blanket over her and hugged her close.
"I feel I'm falling for you even more,"
Bella whispered.Her mind drifted back to their university days. Back then, Sonny had been busy with building his business.
He was often too busy to spend time with her. Bella had grown accustomed to eating alone and attending classes alone. However, one day, everything changed.
Mark, the carefree and wealthy young man in her class, had persistently followed her. Even though she rejected and pushed him away, he still showed his feelings. Even when she angrily told him to get lost, he only left with a grin.
What Bella never knew was that in her senior year, during one harsh winter, she had fainted from exhaustion and poor nutrition on her way back from class. Mark was the first to find her and without hesitation, he carried her on his back, running through the snow to the nearest hospital.
That day, the snow fell so heavily that no taxis were in sight. Mark had trudged through the deep snow while holding her tightly and ensuring she made it to the hospital safely.As Mark tidied up in the kitchen, Bella's phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen and saw an unfamiliar number. The message was long, filled with words that made her stomach drop. Attached was a photo of Mark with a young woman dressed head-to-toe in luxury brands, exuding wealth and privilege. The two stood close, their body language suggesting they were far more than casual acquaintances.