How much pain must she have been in back then?


    Stanley gently ced his hand on her soft waist, admitting to himself that his feelings for her had grown more tender.


    He lowered his head, leaning closer to her face. His voice, still thick with sleep, came out hoarse as he whispered, "Wendy, did I hurt you? I''m sorry."


    He said those words softly, almost to himself.


    In her dreamlike state, Wendy didn''t respond. Her breathing was light, her body so soft that every strand of her hair seemed to


    carry a delicate sweetness.


    Stanley''s throat burned with heat as he tried not to look at her youthful, inviting form. Despite his best efforts, he found himself


    leaning in, almost sumbing to the desire to kiss her soft hair.


    Just as his lips were about to brush against her, Wendy made a small sound and slowly opened her eyes.


    She was awake.


    Stanley quickly regained his senses, stunned by what he''d almost done. What hade over him?


    He actually wanted to kiss Wendy''s hair!


    How could he, who had seen countless beautiful women, be so foolish as to lose hisposure like this over Wendy? His heart


    raced as he quickly pulled away, throwing back the covers and jumping out of bed.


    Wendy sat up, rubbing her eyes with small fists. "You''re awake? Is your fever gone?"


    She slid out of bed, reaching to touch Stanley''s forehead to check his temperature.


    But before she could, Stanley quickly pushed her hand away.


    Wendy froze. What was he doing? She only wanted to check his temperature, so why was he reacting like this?


    Without answering her, Stanley turned and walked straight toward the bathroom. "I need a cold shower."


    The sound of rushing water echoed from inside as he began his cold shower.


    Wendy stood there, confused. "Stanley, what are you doing? It''s early in the morning! Your back injury can''t get wet. Didn''t you


    hear me?"


    Stanley didn''t respond.


    Wendy sighed, wondering why he was acting so strange. She decided to forget the matter and let him do what he wanted.


    +20 Bonus


    Later that evening, at the 1996 Bar.


    Stanley found Benny in one of the luxurious booths. "Where''s the stuff I asked for?"


    "Don''t worry, I brought it." Benny handed over a rub cream.


    This cream was a family secret of the Gondale family, known for its amazing healing properties.


    "Stanley, just rub this on the bruise, and it will disappear in no time. By the way, is Jessica hurt? Only she could make you ask me


    for this," Benny joked.


    Stanley took the bottle, preparing to leave.


    Just then, he spotted a familiar figure ahead-Wendy hade to the bar too.


    She was with Cecelia, who was muttering angrily, "Wendy, who the hell hurt your back? I swear, whoever did, I could just chop


    their hands off!"


    Stanley paused.


    He started to walk toward Wendy, but then he froze as he saw his good friend, Nathan.


    Nathan called out to Wendy. "Wendy, I heard from Cecelia that you hurt your back. Here, this cream is for you.


    He handed her a bottle of the exact same rub cream.


    "Damn!" Benny blinked, shocked. "Stanley, Nathan''s giving her the cream?"


    Benny stared at Stanley, wide-eyed. "Wait, you didn''t ask me for that cream for Wendy, did you?"


    Ahead, Wendy epted Nathan''s gift with a smile. "Thanks, Nathan."


    Stanley''s face darkened, and he tossed the cream at Benny. "You talk too much."


    He turned to leave, but suddenly, a soft arm looped around his, stopping him.


    It was Jessica. "Stanley, there you are!"


    Stanley looked up, only to meet Wendy''s cold, clear gaze from across the room.