Ch. 26: Mr. Edwards' Unraveled Life chapter 26

Chapter 26Kevin noticed that Norah was scratching her hand, and a red rash had appeared. He quickly grabbed her arm to stop her from scratching. "Don't scratch," he ordered.

Norah felt uncomfortable. "It's itchy," she complained.

Kevin frowned and said softly, "You're allergic to alcohol, and you still drank so much."

Norah, feeling a bit disoriented, opened her eyes and saw Kevin's figure. "Where am I?" she asked.

"You're home," Kevin replied.

He took off her shoes and the clothes that were bothering her, then covered her with a quilt.

As Norah sobered up a little, she remembered that she had attended a class reunion and had a few drinks. Things had gotten a bit out of hand, and Kevin had shown up at just the right moment.

"Did you bring me back?" Norah asked.

Kevin went to the bathroom, brought back a basin of hot water, and soaked a towel. He gently wiped her arm, which was red and covered with rashes from scratching. "Who else would it be?" he replied. "No more drinking next time."

Kevin didn't like her drinking, especially since her alcohol allergy could put her in danger.

Norah watched as Kevin carefully wiped her face and body. His movements were so gentle that she felt a bit moved. "Why are you suddenly taking care of me?" she asked.

Kevin looked back at her. "How else would you sleep tonight? I don't want to share a bed with a drunk."

After cleaning her up, Kevin noticed that Norah still felt itchy and uncomfortable. She lay there with a headache, feeling weak and regretting drinking so much.

Kevin came over with a glass of water and two pills. He held them out to her. "Norah, take the medicine."

"What medicine is this?" Norah asked, opening her eyes.

"It's for your allergy. You'll feel better after taking it," Kevin whispered. "Be good, take it."

His tone was gentle, almost as if he were coaxing a child. Norah had never seen him like this before. He seemed different, more patient and kind. Unsure of why he was acting this way, she obediently took the medicine and lay back down, feeling drowsy.

Kevin watched her flushed face, still affected by the alcohol. She looked soft and delicate, a stark contrast to her usual cold demeanor. He sat by the bed, gently moving the hair from her face.

Norah quickly drifted off to sleep, but she still felt something on her face, so she turned over and rested her head on Kevin's arm.

Kevin didn't move. He just watched her, noticing that even in her sleep, her hands still itched, and she tried to scratch them. He gently stopped her and began to lightly stroke the rash with his fingers, soothing her.

This made Norah feel more comfortable, and after a while, her breathing steadied, and she fell into a deep sleep.

Kevin stopped and tucked her hands under the quilt. As he was tidying up the bed, he suddenly heard Norah mumbling, "Your hands are so warm, I like them very much."

Kevin looked at her, surprised. She was talking in her sleep. A small smile played on his lips until he heard her softly say, "Anthony."

Anthony? Who's Anthony?

Kevin's expression darkened. He stared coldly at Norah's face as she continued to mumble in her sleep, tears welling up in her closed eyes. "Anthony, I like you so much," she whispered, sounding heartbroken.