?Chapter 784:


    “Understood,” Gerard answered immediately.


    Kristian didn’t say another word. He hung up and sank back into the icy bathtub.


    The following morning, Freya rose early and began making breakfast.


    When she noticed Kristian hadn’t woken yet, she found it strange.


    He was always up before her. This was the first time he’d slept in.


    “Kristian, breakfast is ready.”


    “Kristian.”


    She called twice, but got no response.


    Frowning, she announced, “I’ming in,” and pushed the door open. She found Kristian was still out cold, his breathing heavy. She walked over and touched his arm.


    The moment her fingers brushed his skin, her stomach dropped.


    He was burning up.


    She pressed her palm to his forehead—scorching.


    Her mind shed to the two previous times he’de down with a high fever. Both had nearly killed him, especially given his past injuries.


    “Kristian!” Freya called, trying to wake him.


    Kristian stirred, his breath ragged and hot.


    When he opened his eyes and saw her hovering by the bed, her face etched with worry, he felt an oddfort. Maybe the cold bathst night hadn’t beenpletely pointless.


    “Freya…”


    “Get up. We need to go to the hospital. You’ve got a fever,” Freya said, her voice edged with panic. She was genuinely terrified. If his fever triggered something worse, something permanent, she’d never be able to face his family again.


    “No.” Kristian shook his head, the pain splitting through his skull. “I don’t want to go to the hospital.”


    He ached all over, his head throbbed, but none of it mattered—as long as she stayed by his side. Nothing else was worth caring about.


    He wasn’t about to let Ellis take her away.


    “You’re burning up. If you don’t see a doctor, it could cause permanent damage,” Freya tried to reason with him.


    But no matter how much she coaxed, he wouldn’t budge.


    Realizing he wouldn’t listen, she grabbed the medicine kit and gave him a fever reducer.


    Then she called their private physician, exined Kristian’s condition, and asked him toe immediately.


    The doctor would need about thirty minutes. In the meantime, Freya checked Kristian’s temperature. She then began cooling him down, worried sick that his condition might spiral.


    “Freya… I feel awful…” Kristian muttered, his voice heavy with misery. Freya continued working to lower his fever, her tone gentle and calming.


    “Hang in there a bit longer; the doctor’s almost here.”


    Kristian clutched her hand with a grip that trembled, his breath ragged and burning against the cool air.


    Freya hesitated, letting him hold on, though a creeping unease stirred in her chest. “Did you not dress warmly enough when you were out with Gerard yesterday?”


    “I did.”


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