Love Unbreakable

Roscoe Roscoe grasped Nicole's ankle gently, yet his touch was steady and did not interfere with his task.

Clad in disposable plastic gloves, Roscoe applied an ointment that brought a cooling relief and numbed the pain.

The sensation was so comforting that Nicole found her toes involuntarily curling, her pulse thudding audibly in her ears.

Roscoe's expression remained detached throughout the procedure.

Once he finished with the ointment, he discarded his gloves in the trash bin, along with the porridge Jarrod had brought, without a second glance.

He exited briefly, returning with a thermos in hand, and proceeded to elevate the bed.

"Nicole, would you prefer to feed yourself, or shall I assist?" he inquired, his politeness unwavering.

Nicole, still somewhat dazed from the treatment, only registered his question when he repeated it.

She reached out slowly.

"I can manage on my own.” As her fingers brushed against his, Roscoe insisted, “Stay still.

I'll handle this.” Roscoe set up a small table, expertly transferred the porridge into a bowl, and fetched a spoon.

Nicole couldn't help but notice the pristine beauty of his hands, his nails short and clean, his veins subtly pronounced against his clenched fists, signaling strength.

Her cheeks flushed with heat.

This wasn't the first time he had tended to her wounds.

As Roscoe handed her the spoon, Nicole's hunger surged, especially for the shrimp-corn porridge, her favored dish.

She began to eat with an earnest appetite.

After the meal, Roscoe cleaned up the table and returned the bed to its original position.

“You should rest now, Nicole.

I'll be here to look after you,” he offered.

But Nicole's head shook in denial.

"No, Roscoe." Roscoe's gaze was intense as he watched her silently.

turned her face away, not daring to look

said, "My father’s support for your education

for the help you've

entangled with me lately seems to suffer.” Roscoe listened without a flicker

he voiced his thoughts, "Nicole, I was disheartened when you didn't recognize me before.” Nicole recalled their encounter at the hospital's safe corridor, but

fifteen, one of many in a crowd where her father had

She didn't remember him.

had

an intern

at her, Roscoe probed, "Nicole, do you love that man?” Her response came

was only at this moment that Nicole grasped

to an untainted Jarrod, not the monster who refused to let her parents go without a second

Nicole felt Roscoe's

hoping you'd

compelling, making Nicole find it hard to stand

words, Nicole

to drag anyone else

interjected, "Roscoe, to me,

no love for him, my bond with him

and

at that..." With that, Nicole suggested they

turn her face away, Roscoe grabbed

remained silent, gazing

head, halting just

whisper, Roscoe vowed, "Nicole, once I surpass that man, you

the hell? In her eyes,

his words somewhat

a message from Bryce, requesting her address to

sent her

way downstairs after learning Bryce’s

paces from the door, she spotted a black off-

beckoning her over

open the

surprise, Eloise was seated in the back, her presence almost tangible with

narrowed at

Bryce, questioning sharply, "Bryce, is she your tutor?" Bryce merely

air was thick

Raegan,