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.

couldn't take any chances. Jacob become mindful and cautious every time he touched

on his chest to listen to the strong beat of his heart. "I had a long, immersive dream, but I couldn't see you there. I've missed you so much," she said.

"I've missed you too. You don't know how afraid I was. I was so scared that

to you." Emily said with determination, "We've just found each other. How could I die and

came over Jacob's face and he pressed his finger on her lips and said, "Don't ever

you." Emily nodded her head and smiled at him. Suddenly, she remembered something and

understand what she had

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

kiss gave Jacob an electric shock which ran from his finger to his entire

warm gesture that stopped Jacob's heart for a moment. He peered into Emily's eyes and tried to kiss her pale lips, when a noise from outside interrupted him.

I beg of you! Please

recognizable but Emily could tell that it was Donny. In a voice of drowned feeling, she

He's just here to make

was happening outside. However, he regretted not throwing that idiot out and said, "Forget about him. Let's just

closed in to kiss her, Emily put her hands on his chest to stop him, but she was too weak to push him away. Jacob frowned, looking disappointed

patted his chest and said, "Would you go out and see what he wants, please? I'm a bit

over him and he refused,

jealous?" Emily smiled and

pupils, a heavy black liquid swirled

was like a magnet for people. Everyone was attracted to

all for himself. He wished to hide her

begging incessantly, "Please! Please! My

said to Jacob,