Chapter 207

Margaret left the bedroom with the others.

"Mrs. Jose, are you really going to hand Ms. Jose over to Mr. Cole?"

Margaret glanced at the closed bedroom door. "Isabella and Kelsey trust him, so why shouldn't I? If Nina gets better, I don't care if he's the devil himself."

Richard sat by the bed, his eyes on Nina's face.

The night was deep and quiet.

Richard took off his coat, locked the doors, and drew the curtains. He lay down beside Nina.

He gently held her. "Nina, you can't die without my permission. Do you hear me?"

"I want you to wake up. If you die, I'll make sure the whole Jose family joins you. I mean it!" Richard spoke slowly, feeling a sense of peace.

This moment of warmth was what he had longed for.

The days of running around had left him exhausted.

He held Nina, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

Nina found herself trapped in a dream, an endless expanse of ice and snow stretching out in every direction. It was a barren wasteland, the stark whiteness blinding and unrelenting. She wandered aimlessly, her footsteps crunching in the frozen silence, each step a reminder of how isolated she felt.

Just when the cold seemed unbearable, a sudden warmth enveloped her. It started as a gentle glow, spreading through her like a comforting embrace. The harsh winter landscape began to melt away, replaced by a lush, vibrant spring. Flowers blossomed beneath her feet, and the sweet scent of blooming life filled the air. Trees, once barren, now bore blossoms, creating a canopy of hope above her.

Nina opened her eyes to see Richard's face.

He looked gentle and composed, not his usual fierce self. His high brow bone gave his eyes a deep-set look. Now, as he slept, the harshness was gone.

"Richard?" she said hoarsely.

Her voice was soft.

But Richard's eyes suddenly opened, focusing on her.

"Awake?" He brushed her hair aside. "Looks like threats work."

Nina was speechless.

She hadn't heard any threats; she just woke up naturally.

"What do you want to eat? I'll make it," Richard said.

Nina shook her head, grabbing his collar. "They said Bella is dead. I don't believe it."

"If you don't believe it, I'll investigate," Richard said, holding her hand. "But first, you need to eat."

Nina shook her head. "I can't eat."

She was worried about Isabella.

Now, she was so hungry she felt numb.

"If you die, I'll make the whole Jose family join you. Nina, you know I mean it!" Richard said, lifting her chin and staring at her.

Nina was still lying in his arms, with his arm under her head. She had to tilt her head up, while Richard leaned in close.

Charlie had never made her feel this way.

For a moment, Nina panicked.

She wanted to look away, but Richard wouldn't let her.

He pinched her chin and kissed her.

Nina's eyes widened in disbelief.

The kiss was brief; he stayed on her lips for a few seconds before pulling away.

Richard got out of bed, putting on his coat. "I'll make some food. Wait here for me."

Before Nina could say anything, Richard had already slipped out the door.

Nina was left speechless.

She bit her lip, tasting Richard's lingering flavor.

Sitting there in a daze, her heart was in turmoil.

Maybe because Richard had promised to help, Nina suddenly felt hopeful.

She didn't believe Isabella was dead!

Since Richard promised to help, she'd live well until Isabella's death was confirmed.

If Isabella wasn't really dead and came back to find Nina gone, she'd be heartbroken.

Nina had promised to take care of Isabella for life; she couldn't leave her first.

If Isabella was confirmed dead, she'd handle her affairs before joining her.

For now, Isabella's fake corpse was still in the hospital morgue, and there were many things Nina needed to do.

Nina sat on the bed for a while, then got up to get dressed.

Just as she was about to wash up, Kelsey knocked and came in.

Kelsey poked her head in. "Nina, you're up?"

She quickly entered and helped Nina.

Nina said, "I'm fine."

Kelsey looked at her with a subtle expression. "Seems like Mr. Cole is the key. As soon as he came back, you got better."

Nina frowned. "That's not true. He's not a doctor; what can he do?"

"Mr. Cole may not be a doctor, but he's more effective than one. The doctors couldn't cure you, but as soon as he came back, you woke up."

Nina was speechless.

She remembered the dream she had last night.

It was strange. She had felt trapped in the dream for so long, unable to find an exit.

Could it really be a coincidence that she recovered as soon as Richard arrived?

When did he become so important?

Nina couldn't figure it out, so she shook her head and stopped thinking about it.

Kelsey handed her a phone. "Nina, check this out."

It was a video.

The setting was the Jose residence kitchen, and a tall figure was standing by the stove, clearly making breakfast.

"Mr. Cole is making breakfast himself," Kelsey said, watching Nina's expression, "Are you touched?"

Nina pushed the phone away. "I'm not touched."

"Really?" Kelsey didn't believe it. "If a man made breakfast for me, I'd be so touched. I'd go anywhere with him."

Nina poked Kelsey's forehead. "Get rid of that romantic mindset, or you'll get kidnapped someday!"

Kelsey laughed. "I'm just kidding."

As they were talking, Richard came up with breakfast.

Kelsey wisely slipped away, leaving them alone.

"Eat." Richard placed the plate on the table.

Nina tidied up and walked over.

She looked at the breakfast, a bit dumbfounded.

"This is your breakfast?"

It was a bowl of soup.

It looked fine, a light and clear soup.

For Nina, who hadn't eaten in days, it did seem appetizing.

"Yes." Richard picked up the bowl, blew on the spoon to cool it a bit, and brought it to her lips. "Open your mouth."

Nina felt embarrassed. "I can do it myself."

Richard didn't speak, just gave her a warning look.

Nina, thinking she still needed Richard's help, compromised.

She put her hand down and accepted his feeding.

"Is it bland?" Richard's eyes showed a hint of nervousness.

Nina said, "Not bland."

"Too salty?"

"Just right." Nina, finding his spoon-feeding too slow, picked up the bowl and gulped it down.

Richard was speechless.