Warming

Chapter 12

“Is he serious about her?‘ Ethan asked while stroking his jaw with one hand. His other hand was tucked into his pocket.

Lucas pushed his glasses up and said confidently. “Yeah. He’s definitely serious.”

Zachary had both hands in his pockets. He said rather doubtfully, “I can only hope he’s being serious.”

The following day, Lucille woke up with a pounding dache. She lay weakly on the bed and blearily texted Samuel to let him know she wouldn’t be heading to work that day. Then, she dozed off.

Shortly after, her phone started vibrating. It annoyed her to the point of forcing her to wake up. She cracked an eye open and answered the phone. “Hello?”

Spencer had just finished a meeting and had returned to his office. He narrowed his eyes when he heard how hoarse and weak Lucille sounded. He checked the time–it was 11:30 am. Was she still asleep? And why did she sound so off?

His heart clenched. “It’s me. Are you at home?”

Lucille’s brain had short–circuited from the fever. All she knew was that her head was as heavy as lead and that she had a killer headache. She couldn’t bring herself to think about who it was on the other end of the line.

She grunted in agreement–perhaps Spencer’s familiar voice had nudged her into answering. Then, she fell silent. She didn’t hang up, though.

Spencer called her name a few times, but she didn’t respond. Since she hadn’t hung up, he could still hear her breathing on the other end of the line. He frowned and hurried out of his office.

Mack and Kent were just about to enter the room to report to Spencer when they saw him hurry out. He looked grim and worried. What was wrong?

Before they could ask, Spencer said icily, “Call Lucas and tell him to get to the apartment at Orchidstone Garden in half an hour.”

Orchidstone Garden? Had something happened to Lucille?

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Everyone gathered at Lucille’s apartment at Orchidstone Garden. Spencer’s expression was stormy as he asked, “How is she?”

Lucas had just checked on her wound. He quickly changed the dressing and said seriously, “Her wound’s been infected. That’s why she’s burning up.”

“Didn’t you tend to her wound last night?” Spencer retorted. He was insinuating that Lucas‘ skills weren’t up to par.

No one had ever dared doubt Lucas‘ skills, yet Spencer had already done so twice. Women truly could make men lose their minds, and even Spencer, who was freakishly smart, was no exception.

“Ask her what she did!” Lucas snapped. He was known for being gentle and having a mild temper, so it was rare for him to get mad. To think his friend was the one who’d pissed him off.

Spencer looked at Lucille, whose eyes were shut. Her face was red, but her lips were pale, and her brows were furrowed because of the fever. Then, he glanced at Lucas. as if asking how he was going to ask Lucille anything.

Lucas told himself that he was a doctor–he couldn’t get mad at his patients, nor would he get mad at people whose minds had temporarily left their bodies!

“I already told her last night not to get water on her wound. You remember that, don’t you? Who else is to blame for her not taking my advice? Besides, who would’ve expected her to be so weak when she’s so good in a fight? She got a fever after getting some water on her wound, for God’s sake,” he said huffily.

If not for Spencer being his friend and Lucille being his woman, and if not for the fact that he was a responsible doctor, he would’ve long since left!

“Give her something to bring the fever down, then.” Spencer looked at Lucille’s furrowed brows.

Lucas took his gloves off. “I can’t.”

“Why?”

Lucas thought about the tests he’d run on Lucille’s blood last night. The results had been shocking. He said, “She has a coagulation disorder, and there’s something special about her blood and body.

“It’s possible that the smallest puncture from an injection can lead to non–stop

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bleeding. Her body’s already weak; that’ll only make things worse.”

Lucille didn’t just have a coagulation disorder. There was something special about her blood. Lucas had yet to conclude anything, though.

“Isn’t there anything else we can do?” Spencer asked.

“Of course there is.”

“What is it?”

“An alcohol wipe–down.”

“What?”

Lucas explained, “She needs to be wiped down on her neck, underarms, tops of her thighs, and abdomen with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water. The alcohol will evaporate faster in these areas.

Spencer’s expression darkened at his words.

A while later, Lucas sat alone on the couch. He still looked like his usual gentle self, but if one were to take a closer look, one would notice the astonishment in his eyes.

He stared at the tightly shut door nearby. Earlier, he’d told Spencer, “I’ll get a female. nurse to rub Lucille down.”

But Spencer had answered, “No.”

“Who’s gonna do it, then? We’re all men here.”

Spencer had said calmly, “I’ll do it!”

Lucas had blurted out, “Have you already won her over?”

Spencer had answered, “She’s my wife!”

This was beyond Lucas‘ expectations. Just last night, he and the others had been placing bets on when Spencer would win Lucille’s heart. It was clear that she wouldn’t easily give in to him. Who would’ve expected her to already be his wife and a part of his family?

Who the fuck would’ve guessed that?

He silently grabbed his phone and tagged Zachary and Ethan in their

group chat.

The ber’s off”

Ethan’s response came immediately. “Why?

Lucas: “Because it’s meaningless now.

Suddenly, some knocks and hammers rang out from the apartment’s entrance. Lucas turned to look at it and remembered how the electric lock had been smashed when he’d arrived. His lips twitched

How interesting Lucille and Spencer were married, but they weren’t living together. Worse, Spencer didn’t know the password to her a iment and had to smash the lock

Soon, the bedroom door opened. Spencer came out. He’d taken his suit jacket off and had rolled the sleeves of his black shirt go, revealing toned arms. The shirt was still sucked in nearly showing off his broad shoulders and trim waist. His long legs were encased in black pants

But as he approached, Lucas could see thathis sideburns were damp. When Spencer sat down, Lucas said, “You’ll have to wipe her down again in an hour if her fever doesn’t subside

Spencer looked up at hun. His gaze was dark. He was slightly disheveled, but it didn’t take away from the natural dominance he exuded

Lucas wasn’t afraid of hum. He was the doctor here, so Spencer had to listen to his

instructions

After a brief silience, Spencer pursed his lips and said. “Got it”

Lucas had a question, but he hesitated to ask it Spencer glanced at him and gave him the opportunity to ask “Spit out whatever questions you have.”

Have you two already slept together?

Spencer narrowed his eyes. His face was devoid of emotion. Lucas scrutinized him

for a while and knew what the answer was