Katelyn reclined on the sofa, a slight sense of relief washing over her. The pain was excruciating.

Katelyn glanced at Aimee.

“Could you help me apply some medication after I eat, Aimee?” She needed to alleviate the pain before facing another surgery that evening.

Aimee nodded in agreement and went to fetch some food for Katelyn. Katelyn managed only a few mouthfuls before her appetite weakened.

Later, Katelyn lay on the hospital bed, stripped down as Aimee gently applied a specially formulated ointment to the bruised and sore spots on her body. Even with Aimee’s gentle touch, Katelyn winced sharply with each application. Every touch caused her to inhale sharply. Sensing her discomfort, Aimee eased her touch even more.

Katelyn’s face was buried in the pillow, her voice muffled but firm.

“Press harder, the stronger, the better.”

This would allow the medicine to penetrate the muscles and ease the pain more effectively.

Aimee looked concerned.

“Are you sure?”

Wouldn’t that increase the pain? The thought alone was distressing to Aimee.

But Katelyn confirmed with a decisive nod.

“Yes.”

With some hesitation, Aimee applied greater pressure. At that moment, Katelyn felt an overwhelming pain, as if her soul were being ripped apart, causing her to clench the bed sheets tightly.

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Just then, the ward door burst open with a loud bang.

Startled, Aimee quickly draped a blanket over Katelyn to cover her. Their flustered movements only led to more mistakes. In their scramble, the blanket ended up on the floor instead of covering Katelyn. Both Katelyn and Aimee froze in dismay.

At the doorway, the visitor was struck motionless by the scene. Vincent, his hand frozen on the doorknob, glimpsed Katelyn’s graceful yet exposed body on the hospital bed. A flood of complicated emotions washed over his mind. He then turned and shut the door behind him.

Under the weight of her embarrassment, Katelyn covered her face, cautiously pulled the blanket over herself, and murmured, “Aimee, I’m wishing for the ground to open and swallow me whole.”

This was the most mortifying moment of her life. How could she ever look Vincent in the eye again after this incident?

Aimee draped the blanket over Katelyn’s face with a gentle motion and whispered, “Sweetie, take a moment to collect yourself.”

Who could have imagined such an awkward turn of events? She was certain she had locked the door earlier. Was her memory playing tricks on her?

Katelyn stayed silent, too overwhelmed by embarrassment to speak. After finishing with Katelyn’s treatment, Aimee chuckled lightly.

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