Seeing the blood in the IV line flowing backward from the needle in her hand, Dr. Yan reminded, "Hold her down—don't let her thrash."
Jason immediately pinned her hand and called, "Kristen…"
Trapped in a nightmare, Kristen couldn't hear him. She struggled desperately. "Don't come near me, go away… go away… it hurts… it hurts so much…"
Great beads of tears rolled from the corners of her eyes one after another.
Jason gripped her wrist tightly to stop her from moving and glanced toward Dr. Yan as he approached. "What's wrong with her?"
"Likely extreme fright—she's having a night terror," Dr. Yan guessed. "Find a way to wake her."
Jason bent close and called to her, "Kristen, Kristen… Kris…"
She didn't respond, but gradually stopped struggling, still weeping.
With no other choice, Jason released her left hand—the one without the needle. His warm palm gently stroked her cheek, his thumb softly wiping the tears at her eye socket. His voice was low and hoarse. "Wake up, Kristen. Wake up."
Kristen didn't react—then suddenly lifted her left hand and flailed in the air. Her palm landed on Jason's face with a light but distinct smack.
The sharp "pa" froze not only Dr. Yan, but Jason himself.
A long, heavy silence filled the room.
As if sensing something, Kristen slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the flush spreading across half of Jason's face.
Something felt off in the room. Hoarsely, she asked, "What happened?"
Dr. Yan was about to speak when Jason shot him a look that made him swallow the words back down.
Jason let go of her right hand and straightened. "You're awake," he said mildly.
Kristen nodded slowly. "Mm." Her gaze shifted to Dr. Yan. "Doctor Yan, did you save me? Thank you."
Dr. Yan waved it off. "Jason got you here in time. Five minutes later and not even a miracle worker could've helped. Alright, you two talk. I've got other patients." He headed out.
Once the door closed, Kristen looked at the man who'd taken a seat. "Thank you for saving me."
Jason's face remained stern and cool. He tugged at the corner of his lips. "Thank me for what? Shouldn't you be thanking Dr. Yan? He's the one who saved you."
Hearing the edge of mockery in his tone, Kristen lowered her eyes and thought for a moment. "Then I'll thank him properly during rounds."
Jason lifted his lashes and cast her a chill glance; even his brow seemed frosted.
Kristen didn't know what he was angry about. Still, the fact remained—he'd saved her. There was no need to spar with him.
"Aren't you on a business trip? How did you know I was locked up?" she asked, offering a topic—an olive branch.
Jason didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "Why did Finn lock you up?"
At the sound of Finn's name, Kristen's eyes dimmed and hatred surged up. She shut her eyes and drew a deep breath. "I have evidence of his cheating."
Jason showed no surprise. "On the wedding day, you fled because you discovered he'd cheated."
Kristen didn't deny it. She turned her head to him, hesitated, then couldn't suppress her curiosity. "Did you already know?"
"Know what?" Jason asked.
Kristen couldn't tell if he was feigning ignorance or rubbing salt in her wound. Forcing down the sting and humiliation tightening in her chest, she asked, "Did you already know that Finn was cheating with Grace?"
- Jason: Wife didn't thank me—and slapped me. Heh…
( End of Chapter )