♣ CHAPTER 25 ♣
Kate stood by the kitchen sink, her hands trembling. She'd been feeling lightheaded since the afternoon, but she brushed it off. Now her head throbbed and ached, and her vision blurred.
She leaned forward, gripping the edge of the counter.
"Kate?"
William's voice echoed from the hallway.
"I'm fine," she called out weakly.
He stepped into the kitchen, his eyebrows knitted together. "You don't look fine."
"I just need some air," she whispered, then swayed.
William was by her side in a flash. "Kate."
She collapsed against his chest. He caught her, lifting her with ease.
"Damn it," he muttered. "You're burning up."
"I'm okay," she mumbled.
"No, you're not," he snapped. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"I didn't want to bother you."
He carried her up the stairs without saying another word. He placed her gently on the bed and put a towel inside a bowl of cold water,he pulled it out and squeezed it gently,then placed it on her forehead.
---
She woke up in bed, her forehead damp. A cool cloth rested on her forehead. Her eyes flickered open. William sat beside her, with his sleeves rolled up, and was watching her.
"You stayed?" she asked softly.
"You passed out. What did you think I'd do? Leave you on the floor?"
Kate gave a faint smile. "Wouldn't be surprised."
He looked irritated. "I'm not a monster."
"You act like one sometimes."
"I'm trying," he said, his voice low.
Kate coughed. "Why are you taking care of me?"
He stood. "Because you're my wife."
"That's not a real reason."
William stared at her. "Then maybe because I care."
She blinked at him.
He turned away. "Don't read too much into it."
Kate sat up slightly, wincing in pain. "You're fussing over me. That's not normal."
He tossed her a glare. "You're not normal either."
"Thanks."
"I meant—you're not like the others," he said. "You talk back. You fight. You don't fake things."
"Neither do you."
He nodded. "That's why this is so confusing."
Kate watched him carefully. "You don't have to pretend, William. If you want to be kind, just be kind."
He didn't answer right away. Then he said, "Kindness is weakness in my world."
"Then your world is broken."
His eyes flicked to hers. "Maybe."
She reached for his hand. "You don't always have to be strong."
He pulled away, gently. "Don't. Don't make this something it's not."
Kate's voice cracked. "Then what is it, William?"
He backed away, picking up the used cloth. "You need rest."
"I need the truth."
He paused at the door. "Tonight… I stayed because I wanted to."
"Then say that."
He didn't turn. "Goodnight, Kate." He said.
The door closed.
Kate lay back,her heart pounding. Her fever still stayed, but her thoughts burned hotter. She had seen it—just for a second—the man behind the walls.
And he had cared.
Even if he wouldn't say it out loud.
---
The clock ticked in the silence. Kate tossed on the bed, she was unable to sleep. Her body was weak, but her mind raced with everything William said,And everything he didn't.
Moments later, the door creaked open again.
She turns her head and sees William standing by the door. "You're back."
William stepped in, carrying a glass of water and medicine.
"I thought you left," she whispered.
"I did," he said, placing the glass on the bedside table. "But I couldn't sleep."
Kate sat up slowly, her voice raspy. "So, you came back to play nurse again?"
He gave a small sigh. "I came back because… I didn't like how I left things."
She stared at him, then smiled faintly. "That's a first."
"Don't get used to it," he muttered.
She picked up the glass and swallowed the pills. "Still trying to act like you don't care?"
"I don't," he said.
"You're lying."
William's jaw clenched. "Why do you keep pushing me, Kate?"
"Because I want to understand you. One moment, you're cold. The next, you're here, making sure I'm okay."
"You're my wife."
"Stop hiding behind that word!" Kate snapped. "I know what this marriage is. You don't owe me anything."
His eyes darkened. "Then why does it matter to you?"
"Because you confuse me," she said, his voice cracking. "You confuse me, William, And sometimes… I think you're hurting more than me."
His gaze dropped. "You don't know anything about me."
"Then tell me," she whispered. "Tell me something. Anything."
He hesitated.
"I've seen pain before," she added. "You wear it like a suit. You walk around like nothing touches you, but I see it. It's in your eyes, William."
He exhaled slowly. "Pain is familiar. It keeps me grounded."
"That's not living."
"I never said I was living."
The Silence stretched between them. The heaviness of unspoken emotions pressed in.
Kate reached out and touched his hand again. This time, he didn't pull away.
"You sat here and wiped my forehead," she said. "You watched me sleep. That's not the action of a man who doesn't care."
"I shouldn't care," he said, his voice low. "Caring makes you vulnerable."
"Maybe I want to be vulnerable with you."
He looked at her, his eyes searching.
"You're not what I expected," he whispered.
"Neither are you," she replied.
Kate's fingers slid down his wrist, and he didn't stop her.
Then, softly, she asked, "Why do you hide?"
"Because if I let someone in," he said, his voice tight, "they'll find the broken pieces."
"I don't care about your broken pieces."
He blinked. "Why?"
"Because I've got mine too."
William stepped closer. "Kate…"
Their eyes locked. His breath brushed against her cheek.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she murmured.
"Because I don't know what this is," he said.
"Then stop thinking," she whispered. "Just feel."
Before she could say another word, his lips crashed against hers. It wasn't soft… It was desperate,a kiss for yearning something unknown. William pulled in her lower lips roughly and devoured it.
She gasped against his mouth, grabbing his shirt. Her fever and pain faded as heat rose from within. She felt butterflies dancing in her stomach.
But then, just as suddenly as he kissed her, William pulled back.
Kate sat frozen, her lips still tingling and almost swollen. "Why did you stop?"
His chest heaved. "Because if I don't, I won't stop at all."
"Then don't."
"I can't," he growled. "You don't understand. I can't risk this."
"Risk what?" she asked, her voice shaking. "Feeling something real?"
He turned away, running a hand through his hair. "This wasn't supposed to happen."
Kate stood, her legs wobbling, but her voice was steady. "Then what are we doing, William?"
He didn't answer.
"You kiss me like you mean it," she said. "Then pretend it didn't happen. I'm tired of this game."
He turned back, his eyes fierce. "It's not a game."
"Then what is it?"
William stepped close, his lips barely apart from hers. "It's everything I've been trying to avoid."
Kate whispered, "But maybe it's everything we both need."
The tension between them was thick, But again, William stepped back.
"Go to sleep," he said. "You're still weak."
Kate's voice cracked, "And what about you?"
He didn't answer.
She climbed back into bed slowly, watching him head toward the door.
He stopped and said without turning. "Goodnight, Kate."
"Goodnight, William."
The door closed.
Kate stared into the dark, her heart louder than the silence.