A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

Jacob carefully held her up and served her water as he patted her on the back. He looked at her with concern and said, "Here, Emily. Drink some water."

He wished to hold Emily in his arms, but he was afraid that his excitement would get the best of him and he'd end up hurting her. Having thought of her well-being first, he decided to sit beside her for now.

"Emily, how are you feeling? Are you still dizzy? Do you feel cold? Are you hungry?"

Out of concern, Jacob reached out and touched her forehead as he was talking, and he found that her fever had subsided. Jacob let out a sigh of relief and said, "I will call Mr. Barefoot to check up on you."

Emily caught his hand and pulled him back just as he stood up to leave, and she said, "I'm fine now. You don't have to bother him."

Finding it difficult to understand what Emily was saying, Jacob had to lean forward because her voice was so faint. "Just for my peace of mind, please let him come and run some tests. He's the best doctor in the village."

"But I just want to spend some time alone with you, okay?" Endearment glimmered in her eyes, and her smile made up for the paleness of her face.

How could Jacob ever refuse Emily? With a bit of reluctance, he sat back and said, "Oh, all right."

Warmth came over Emily's eyes as she leaned on his shoulder. Her long eyelashes quivered as she insisted, "Hug me, Jacob, please."

Jacob turned to her and tilted his head just a bit to look into her eyes, trying his best to control his emotions and answered, "I, I can't."

"Why not?"

Surprise flooded her face. Emily would have believed his unwillingness from his answer if he hadn't brazenly asked her for a kiss before.

"I, I'm afraid of hurting you, accidentally." Jacob was telling her the truth. Mr. Barefoot had told him earlier not to take any chances because Emily was too weak to withstand any harm. She was like a fine but brittle porcelain doll. Even the slightest breeze could topple her over and break her.

take her in his arms, he couldn't take any chances. Jacob become mindful

think? How could your hug hurt me?" Emily giggled and leaned in forward to embrace him. She rested her head on his chest to listen to the strong beat of his heart. "I had a long,

around her and whispered, "I've missed you too. You don't know how afraid I was. I was so scared that you weren't ever

that to you." Emily said with determination, "We've just found

Jacob's face and he pressed his finger on her

say such things, but neither can you." Emily nodded her head and smiled at him. Suddenly, she remembered something and said, "Don't use your

she had meant

and looked up to smile back at him. Like plums blossoming in winter, her smile

which ran from his finger to his entire body, lighting fire to his

into Emily's eyes and tried to kiss her pale lips, when a noise from outside interrupted

you! Please help! Doctor! Bear! Miss

faint voice wasn't easily recognizable but Emily could tell that it was Donny. In a voice of drowned feeling, she asked, "Who is it? Is it

alone. He's just here to

happening outside. However, he regretted not

him, but she was too weak to push him away. Jacob frowned, looking

chest and said, "Would you go out and see

jealousy came over him and he refused,

smiled and

and expressed his displeasure in silence. Deep within his own pupils, a heavy black liquid swirled in a strange whirlpool pattern. He disliked that fact

like a magnet for people. Everyone

all for himself. He wished to hide her away from the world, as if she were his secret treasure.

My mother

trembling voice touched Emily, and she said to Jacob, "He said Mrs. Yang's dying. What's wrong