Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 212

Fortunately, the key to the locks was resting on the altar table next to the memorial plaques.

Stephanie rushed over, grabbed the key, and unlocked the metal restraints binding him.

“Jonathan? Wake up.” The moment she touched his hand, she realized his skin was burning hot.

He had a fever, likely from his untreated wounds becoming infected.

Jonathan’s knees were long past numb, and his entire body felt like it was sinking into an endless darkness.

Hearing a voice, he slowly opened his eyes. A flicker of surprise crossed his face when he saw Stephanie. “What are you doing here?”

“You didn’t come home for three days,” Stephanie said. “I was worried, so I came to find you.”

A faint smile touched Jonathan’s lips. “So you missed me.”

She frowned. Even in this state, the man still had the energy to joke around.

Stephanie helped him sit on the kneeler to rest for a moment. Her gaze fell on his knees, which were bruised a deep purple from the prolonged kneeling. They must have been completely numb.

“How did you get hurt like this? I’ll call an ambulance for you.”

“Don’t bother. An ambulance wouldn’t be allowed onto the grounds anyway.”

Jonathan’s fever was alarmingly high. He leaned most of his weight against Stephanie, his arms instinctively wrapping around her waist as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

The man’s hot breath brushed against her neck, and his hoarse voice whispered in her ear, “Are you wearing perfume? It smells good.” Like a puppy, he opened his mouth and nipped at her skin.

“…”

Stephanie gently pulled away. “Even if you don’t want an ambulance, there must be a first-aid kit in the house. Where’s your room? I’ll help you there.”

Jonathan slowly pushed himself to his feet. “I’m not as weak as you think.”

With that, he started walking toward the chapel exit.

Stephanie was about to follow when a thought made her turn back. Her eyes landed on the memorial plaque displayed on the altar.

The candles in front of it had long since burned out. The inscription read: “To my beloved wife, Grace.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify