Chapter 38
After taking Aubree to the Turner family’s private hospital for a check up, Bowen brought her back to Ellis Heights.
Squirming on Bower’s back, Aubree protested, “Bowen, put me down. I can walk by myself”
It was already late when the competition ended, and after another trip to the hospital, it was now deep into the right. Carol had taken the day off, and Hugh had gone to bed early, leaving the house unusually quiet.
Fortunately, Daston’s blow hadn’t caused any serious damage, just a few minor injuries,
Bowen remained silent, his entire body radiating a chilling pressure. Even the usually oblivious Aubree sensed the impending storm and instantly froze on his back, not daring to move another inch
She swallowed hard. ‘Did I do anything wrong? Aubree mentally replayed everything she’d done that day
Feeling her go still on his back, Bowen snorted coldly. “Done complaning!”
At the hospital, when Bowen saw Aubree’s back covered in dark bruises, he was consumed with regret. He wished he’d done more than just throw a few punches at Daxton.
Bowen thought, “I always believed I could watch Aubree stumble through life’s challenges and grow, just as I did with Alvin, keeping my distance. But today, I realized I simply can’t.’
In that split second when something happened to Aubree, his mind went completely blank, nothing else mattered.
Bowen finally realized just how much he cared about Aubree, maybe even more than he should.
His brows frosted with a heavy chill, his gaze sharp as a freshly forged blade. Explosive rage surged within him, threatening to break free, yet when he carefully laid her on the bed and faced her, he forced it back, burying it deep within his eyes.
Aubree glanced at him cautiously and asked in a small voice, “Are you… angry? Is it because I caused you trouble today?”
That was the only reason Aubree could think of for Bowen’s anger.
Tve dragged Alvin into danger, she thought, guilt weighing heavily on her.
“I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.” Aubree apologized meekly. She’d already made up her mind, once the prize money came through, she would move out of Ellis Heights immediately.
Before Aubree could finish, she felt that familiar touch on her head, Bowen ruffled her hair, just as he’d done so many times before. “What nonsense are you thinking?” he said gently, “You could never be any trouble to me. Just don’t let yourself get hurt again. If you can’t win, run away. There’s no need to stand your ground stubbornly.”
Bowen’s words left Aubree stunned. She replayed his words in her mind, Was Bowen telling me that his heart ached seeing me hurt? Bowen Turner
This realization made Aubree want to smile, but her lips refused to cooperate.
For the first time, someone told her she wasn’t trouble, that her own safety mattered above all else.
“Bowen… do you… have feelings for me?‘ she wondered, her thoughts tangled with hesitation.
She thought, ‘Just like the Wilson family couldn’t understand why Bowen was helping me, I didn’t get it either. Honestly, their suspicion that I might have traded myself for his help wasn’t unfounded. I weren’t the one involved, I’d probably think the same!
Aubree asked, “Why are you helping me so much?”
Clutching the blanket to her chest, she sat up in bed and watched with confusion as Bowen rummaged for the ointment.
1/4
Chapter 38
Bowen held the medicine, a feeling emotion flashing through his eyes, one she couldn’t read.
He chuckled lightly, returning to his usual gentle, refined self. “You’ve ved this before, and my answer remains unchanged
From the very beginning, Bowen never intended to let Aubree know he was her benefactor. He planned to keep his identity hidden since the sponsorship started, partly to avoid unnecessary complications, and partly because he worried Aubree might develop improper expectations if she knew his status
Aber the reunited with her biological family, there was even less reason for him to say anything
Even now, he had no intention of telling her, not because he feared she might use his identity. After spending time together, he knew the wasn’t that kind of person, though she appeared aloof and independent, she treasured every kindness, keeping them close to her heart.
Bowen didn’t want Aubree to feel any burden because of him, he just wanted to help her, without making her feel indebted.
Aubree was about to press further when Dowen’s new words made her blush instantly. “Pull up your shirt and Le on your stomach. I’ll apply the medicine for you.”
“Wait pullup what?” Aubree stammered, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
“Poll up your shirt!” Bowen ordered.
When she still didn’t move, Bowen closed the distance with the ointment in hand. “Changed your mind about the treatment?” he asked, histone edged with impatience.
Aubree thought to herself, ‘That’s not even the issue here!!
Her wound was on her back, which meant she’d have to bare her upper body for treatment. Exposing her back wasn’t really the in, the real awkwardness was her front.
“I can do it myself. No need to trouble you, Bowen,” Aubree said, reaching for the ointment. But Bowen swiftly pulled his hand away, keeping it out of her
reach.
“Are you a contortionist? Bowen shot her a disapproving look. “How exactly are you going to apply medicine to your own back?”
Aubree screamed internally, “But there’s no way I can let him do it!
“There’s no way I can bare my back and let a grown man like Bowen apply medicine
He understood exactly what Bree was worried about, being cautious was only natural. But given the circumstances wasn’t him, the only alternatives were the family doctor or Hugh, and neither seemed right
He thought, ‘Come to think of it, I’ve watched Bree grow up, I’m almost like a father to her. Applying some medicine isn’t really crossing a fine, is it?
“The only kid I’ve really been around is Alvin. Putting myself in that position, I don’t think this is anything inappropriate
“Wait a second!” Aubree stammered. But with Bowen being so insistent, she realized with a sinking heart there was no way she cou avoid having the medicine applied tonight.
Bowen’s eyes darkened as he irritably fidgeted with his cufflinks. Damn, am really becoming some kind of beast?” he thought, frustration and self-
U/TU Mon, /
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Bowen’s burning gaze prickled at Aubree’s back like needles. Unable to see him from her angle, she fidgeted unwasily, her hand giving an involuntary tremble. “What is it?” she asked, her voice uncertain,
almost let out a moan.
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