Love at First Novel by Gu Lingfei

The night passed in silence.

Evan woke up the next morning, roused by an uncomfortable heat. The ward's heater was on, and he'd bundled up tightly before falling asleep. Sometime during the night, he began sweating, but his exhaustion kept him from waking. By morning, the heat became unbearable, and he stirred.

"Abby..."

He instinctively called her name. His voice, still hoarse, sounded much better than the day before.

The lack of a response reminded him that Abby had gone home the previous night. He was alone in the hospital.

In the middle of the night, his mother had called, her cheerful voice a small comfort. Yet, the reality of being sick and alone in a foreign place left Evan feeling homesick.

He thought about Wildridge Manor. Back home, it was always lively when his brothers returned. The old, mischievous grandma doted on them, and despite his parents' sarcastic remarks, they cared deeply for their children. The warmth and familiarity of home stood in stark contrast to the solitude of his current surroundings.

Evan reached for a box of tissues on the bedside table and used several to wipe the sweat from his forehead and neck. He sat up, pulling the quilt off, his body still warm from the night's sweating.

The fever had broken.

received the day before and a restful night, his sore throat had eased significantly. He felt hopeful-one more day

He remembered Abby's mom

the country that day, and Abby wass supposed to pick him up at the

spend

water, and sat back down to drink it. His stomach growled loudly, protesting its

his phone

the screen and saw Abby's name. He

"Abby."

Has the fever gone down completely?

woke up.

and poured myself some water. My throat still hurts, but

than

of the night, and when I woke

hadn't taken his temperature yet but touched his forehead,

Abby said. "I'll arrange