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.

face away, not daring

said, "My father’s support for your education

for the help

to suffer.” Roscoe listened without a flicker of emotion across his

thoughts, "Nicole, I was disheartened when you didn't recognize me before.” Nicole recalled their encounter at

fifteen, one of many in a

She didn't remember him.

years had

was an

"Nicole, do you love that man?” Her response

this moment that Nicole

an untainted Jarrod, not the monster who refused to let her parents go

a reverie, Nicole felt Roscoe's

hoping you'd

making Nicole find it hard to

next words,

to drag anyone

before Roscoe could voice his thoughts, Nicole interjected, "Roscoe, to me,

love for him, my

and that would please my

suggested they keep things

turn her face away, Roscoe

silent, gazing at

just before his thin lips

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

hell? In her eyes, Roscoe was still a little

words somewhat unsettled

Friday morning, Raegan got a message from Bryce, requesting her

her

downstairs

from the door, she spotted a black off- road

seat, beckoning

pulled open the door and climbed

the back, her presence almost

at the sight

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

was thick

harbored dislike toward Raegan,