Page 57 of Ruthless King

When I wake up, I’m in the hospital with Nico bent over me, holding my hand. “Aurora?”

I blink at the lights above me. “What happened?”

“You passed out. Jeremy brought you to the hospital and called me. What happened?”

The tea. I know instantly. The tea made me sick.

“I just didn’t feel right,” I say. “Must’ve been something I ate.”

“The doctor told me it was some sort of poison. What did you eat?”

“Oh, I, uh … made this tea from some different herbs I had on hand. Clearly, it wasn’t a smart idea.” I expect Nico to smile it off. but he doesn’t.

“What herbs? When did you make this?”

“With my aunt. It was an old family recipe. I must have made it wrong. But I’m fine. That’s all that matters.”

“Maybe I should talk to your aunt about this. I still haven’t met her.”

“No!” I say more loudly than I mean to. Nico frowns. “I just … She doesn’t like to be disturbed. Maybe one day.”

Nico doesn’t speak for a few seconds before he nods. “All right. Now, it’s about getting you better. No more drinking any strange teas.”

“Understood.”

After I’m discharged from the hospital, Nico takes special care to see me home carefully. He picks me up and carries meinto our bedroom, where he fluffs the pillow for me and covers me in the blanket.

I’ve never seen this doting side to Nico, and it’s lovely.

Back at the hospital, I didn’t get the chance to ask the doctor about a possible pregnancy, but because the doctor didn’t mention it, I figure I’m not pregnant.

Over the next week, I’m still reeling from the effects of the tea. I can barely walk, and I keep throwing up. Nico is there for me every day.

“Shouldn’t you be at work?” I ask.

“That’s the nice thing about being the boss. I can cancel. I’m here to make sure you’re ok. I’ll have our chef make you some soup.” He pushes a piece of my hair out of my face, and I practically melt into his hand.

“Why are you so kind to me?”

Nico’s eyes soften. “Why wouldn’t I be? I want to see you taken care of. You’re sick. So, let me take care of you.”

And he does.

The entire week goes by, and even though I’m sick, Nico’s constant care and attention warms my heart, making me feel loved.

Love. I wonder if Nico loves me because I know I’m falling in love with him. I might already be in love with him.

But our week comes to a crashing halt when Andrew arrives.

“What’s going on?” he asks, standing in our bedroom. He doesn’t belong there, but I can’t scream at him to get out. That would be too suspicious.

“Aurora is sick,” Nico explains. “Can you watch her for a moment? I’m going to grab a wet towel.” He places his hand on my head. “You’re feeling a little feverish.”

After he leaves, Andrew doesn’t waste time in approaching the bed. “So, you’re really sick?”

“Yes. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Andrew shrugs. “Maybe because I know you’re a liar.”

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