“I didn’t know this would happen,” Jepherson exined when he saw Raeleigh. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe him,but she couldn’t bring herself to make any response at all under that given moment.


    Looking at Jepherson, she asked, “Have you eaten yet?”


    Raeleigh didn’t want to hear any exnations; they were all useless to her now. She couldn’t even manage a smile now, looking at Xanthus’s current condition.


    Jepherson shook his head. Raeleigh took a look at the two servants who came in; they were here to deliver food to them.


    Raeleigh said, “You can put the food there. Or on the coffee table.”


    The servants busied themselves, following Raeleigh’s instructions. She went forward and helped,pletely ignoring Jepherson.


    His gaze lingered at Raeleigh before turning to Xanthus’s pale face. He walked over and asked, “How are you feeling?”


    Xanthus slowly opened his eyes. “I’m alright now.”


    “I will get to the bottom of this.”


    Before Xanthus could reply, Raeleigh interrupted, staring at Jepherson, “Don’t bother. It’s not a big deal.”


    She took a nce at Xanthus before continuing, “Leave us be for a couple of days.”


    Xanthus needed rest and recovery, and Raeleigh didn’t want anything else to happen at this time.


    “Alright, I will definitely get to the bottom of this.”


    Jepherson wasn’t taking no for an answer. Raeleigh stared at him,unable tospeak for a while; his insistence didn’t make her feel any better. The reality was right in front of them; anyone with the right mind could tell what had happened. He was no fool, yet he still said such things. What more could she say?


    Since there was nothing she could say, shedecided to leave him be and turned to the others and said, “Let’s eat.”


    Santiago walked over and sat down with them. He picked up his cutleries and pondered for a while. He was in no shape to eat independently, so he waited for Raeleigh to feed him.


    Raeleigh walked over to him and fed him before eating herself.


    Jacky washed his hands and sat down too, the doctor following suit.


    Jepherson stood by the side like the fifth wheel. He didn’t have the appetite.


    But he still washed his hands and sat beside Raeleigh. He dug in, acting all nonchnt.


    With his head slightly lowered, Jepherson finished the mealdeadpan.


    After Santiago was done, Raeleigh went to feed Xanthus some water. Xanthus refused to eat anything, so she didn’t force him either.


    She only ate after everyone dined,swallowing what her little appetite could take.When she got up to clear the table, the two servants Jepherson brought got down to itbefore Raeleigh could make a move,so she went to apany Xanthus.


    The group sat in the living room, but no one spoke.


    Santiago had his head raised, eyes closed, looking asleep while the others sat for an entire morning.


    In the afternoon,the hospital Santiago was admitted to called Jepherson and said theyhad to schedule a jab, so he got them toe over instead.


    When they arrived, he also requested them to do a checkup on Xanthus.


    “He’s fine now, but he will have to recuperate for some time,” the doctor said. Lookingat Xanthus, who was asleep, Jepherson nodded, “Got it.No need toe over again; just send the medication over.”


    “But Mr. Santiago still needs his dressings changed. We worry that…”


    “It’s fine; someone will see to it. I don’t want anyone else to know about this, especially Dr. Osteen’s case. I hope you understand.”


    “Alright, we understand.”


    After the doctor left, Jepherson sat back down, having no intention to leave. Raeleigh checked the time; seeing it was getting dark, Raeleigh motioned for him to leave first.


    She didn’t want to see him for the time being, not because she wanted to cut ties, but there were some things she still couldn’t get over. If he only gave his word to investigate after what happened to Xanthus, does it mean their trust was jeopardized?


    He was constantly testing her. If this was another test, she’d rather give up on their rtionship.


    Jepherson did not speak, his eyes fixed on Raeleigh, rendering her speechless. Who was actually at fault here?All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Just as she was about to say something to shoo him away,hestood up and strode upstairs.


    Stumped, she stared speechlessly at his back as he headed upstairs, wondering what he was trying.


    Almost everyone downstairs turned their heads, including Santiago, staringat Jefferson’s back.


    Watching Jepherson retreat to her room upstairs, Raleigh did not know what to do for a moment.


    Seeing that he wouldn’t leave, she turned to Xanthus only to find him lookingat her. “You should also rest.”


    “I’m not tired.”


    “I am. If you don’t rest, I won’t be able to either. I survived the night, and everything’s fine now. Get some rest while you can.” Xanthus looked at Santiago, who was sitting on the floor next to him. “Santiago.”


    Santiago turned to him. “Yes?”


    “Go upstairs and rest. Doctor and Jackyas well. Raeleigh will stay here with me.”


    Xanthus was growing rather frustrated at the crowd. Plus, he hoped for Raeleigh to get some rest.


    Letting her go upstairs was like sending her to a tiger’s den. It wasn’t that he was selfish, but the incident had gotten him shaken.


    Raeleigh was no match for someone like Ste.


    Ste was a mad dog who would bite at everyone she met. She had a vicious heart; there was no way he could rest assured leaving Raeleigh here.


    Xanthus narrowed his eyes a little, not wanting to say more.


    Santiago nced at Jacky and stood up, goingupstairs with Jacky following right behind. When the doctor saw that he was the only one left, he also followed suit.


    When he got upstairs, Santiago acted as if this was his home and pointed to a door on the side and said, “You’ll sleep there; I’ll get you if something happens.”


    Then, Santiago turned Jacky. “You’re with me.”


    Pushing the dooropen, Jacky followed him in.


    After everyone went up, Raeleigh tidied up andid down on the other sofa.


    But as soon as sheid down, Xanthus said, “Turn on the TV, will you? See if Animal World is on; we didn’t get to finish it yesterday.”


    With that, she got up and switched on the TV. She wasn’t sure whether Xanthus really wanted to watch it, but she did it anyway.


    After watching for a while, Xanthus closed his eyes, beginning to sweat again.Hearing that his breathing didn’t sound quite right, she sat up again. Xanthus clenched his teeth, “Don’t get up; I can’t have a rest when you get up again.”


    “It’s just a reaction; there is nothing to worry about. I got through yesterday; I’ll be able to do today as well.”


    Staring at Xanthus’s pale face, Raeleigh’s heart plummeted, feeling cold all over.


    It felt as if a knife stabbedmercilesslyinto her heart, piercing right through it, putting her on the verge of death. Her entire body was paralyzed, as cold as ice.


    Tears pooled in her eyes, and a drop of it trickled down her face.Afraid that Xanthus would see it,she quickly wiped them away hastily, trying topose herself. She said after a long time, “I’m right here.Call me if you feel any difort.”


    Raeleigh plopped back on the sofa and stared at Xanthus. Despite her efforts to sleep, she couldn’t, as if she had taken analeptic. Scenes shed before her like tidal waves, one after the other, of those who died in front of her, churning her world into turmoil.