The Genius Ex-Wife’s Revenge Portfolio novel Chapter 356

David glanced at Cedric, his voice gentle. “Get some rest. We can talk tomorrow.”

Tonight, both Ella and Cedric needed time to recover. They could figure out their next steps in the morning.

With David there, Cedric finally felt a sense of relief. He nodded, letting out a quiet, “Okay.”

David scooped Ella up and carried her out of the room. Gina was waiting for them just outside, her eyes wide with concern. She stepped closer. “David, is your sister all right?”

“She has a high fever. Gina, could you help us get a room?”

One look at David’s striking face and Gina was melting inside. She’d always had a weakness for good-looking guys. Without a moment’s hesitation, she used her status as the village chief’s daughter to set them up with a clean, cozy room.

David laid Ella gently on the bed. Her skin felt ice-cold, and beads of cold sweat dotted her forehead. Soft wisps of her bangs clung to her delicate face, making her look heartbreakingly fragile.

He reached out, brushing the damp hair away from her forehead.

“David.” Gina’s voice broke the quiet.

He’d almost forgotten she was still in the room. He straightened up and looked at her. “Gina, do you have a brother?”

Gina nodded. “Yeah, his name is Justin. He’s old enough to get married. He could have his pick of any girl in the village, but he’s super picky. He hasn’t found anyone he likes yet.”

David’s lips curled into a cool, almost mocking smile. Of course Justin was picky. The only one he wanted was Ella. And girls like Ella weren’t exactly common.

Gina’s cheeks flushed as she kept talking. “I’m old enough to get married, too, but honestly, I don’t like any of the guys here. My dad keeps bugging me about it, though. David, what do you think I should do?”

She was laying it on thick, her hints anything but subtle.

Funny how both siblings, Justin and Gina, seemed to have their eyes on David and Ella.

“Gina, I’ll go see the village chief tomorrow.”

With nothing but thin walls and rough bedding, this was the only way to keep her warm.

They huddled together, her soft, delicate body pressed against him. David froze for a moment, caught off guard.

It had been so long since he’d held her like this.

Since the divorce, they’d become strangers.

But sometimes, in the middle of the night when he couldn’t sleep, he’d find himself thinking about her.

Ella pressed closer, still shivering. It wasn’t enough. Her small hands began to wander, slipping under the open collar of his shirt, her fingers brushing against his skin.

His chest was solid and warm, muscles tense beneath her touch. Lower down, his abs were rigid and defined, radiating heat like a furnace.