The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

"Scared of dying now, huh? Why didn't you think of going to the doctor when you first got sick?" Ethan said, his voice tinged with annoyance.

"Are you going to treat him or not? If not, I'm leaving. I don't have time for this nonsense." Lydia, already holding her acupuncture needles, was visibly irritated and ready to put them away.

"Hey, hey, hey, let's get on with the treatment! Don't leave, okay?" Ethan instinctively reached out to stop Lydia from putting away her needles.

The moment his hand touched Lydia's, she shot him a glare sharp enough to cut through steel.

Ethan froze, the severity of the situation not quite hitting him until he realized he was actually holding her hand. He quickly let go, raising both hands in surrender. "I didn't mean to—I just... didn't want you to leave..."

Before he could finish, Lydia's glare intensified.

Realizing he'd put his foot in it again, Ethan hurriedly tried to backtrack. "I mean, my buddy's on death's door here. If you leave, he's a goner for sure."

His words were rushed and slightly incoherent.

this exchange, feeling like he was on the verge of a metaphorical

Ethan to

couldn't seem to say anything

slumping back onto the

really going downhill.

at the ceiling, life seemingly draining from him, she pushed Ethan aside and positioned herself beside the bed. She

skin,

my God, Alaric, are you okay?"

no, I got the side wrong that was supposed to

Ethan was petrified.

Alaric was truly beyond help. "Buddy, I'm so sorry. I only wanted to save

Lydia frantically removed the wrongly placed needle and quickly adjusted, inserting needles on

a few more precise insertions, Alaric's condition seemed to be sweat beads forming on his forehead

to assist or intervene, could only watch anxiously. Seeing Alaric's condition stabilize, he finally took a breath of relief and looked a over at Lydia, who was wiping sweat