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.

not

"My father’s support for your education

owe me for

lately seems to suffer.” Roscoe listened without a flicker of

their encounter at the hospital's safe corridor, but her mind was a haze back

teen of fifteen, one of many in a crowd where her father had taken her to aid

She didn't remember him.

had

was an intern

do you love that man?” Her response came swift

was only at this moment

not the monster

in a reverie, Nicole felt Roscoe's touch steering her gaze

dressed your wounds, hoping you'd understand my intentions,” he

and compelling, making Nicole find it hard to stand his

words, Nicole averted

didn't want to drag anyone else

before Roscoe could voice his thoughts, Nicole interjected, "Roscoe, to me, you're like a

no love for him,

out well, and that

suggested they keep things

her

remained silent, gazing at

halting just before his

once I surpass that man, you will be mine.” Left alone, Nicole's mind

her eyes, Roscoe was still

now, his words somewhat unsettled

a message from Bryce, requesting her

her

downstairs after learning

door, she spotted a

passenger seat, beckoning her over

pulled open the

her surprise, Eloise was seated in the

narrowed at the

Bryce, questioning sharply, "Bryce, is

was thick

dislike toward Raegan, and Raegan disliked Eloise's