Ezekiel stood close behind her, finishing the knot like it was nothing, like touching her bare skin didn't just make her chest tighten and her thoughts scatter.
Cassi rapidly blinked. "I-I thought you were the nurse," she stammered, her voice softer than she liked.
"I gathered that," he replied, his tone calm and unreadable. He met her gaze without a hint of hesitation. "Would you have asked me to tie it if you knew it was me?"
She quickly looked away, her face burned red. "No."
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Pity. You give very direct orders."
Cassi didn't know if she wanted to hide under the sheets, throw a pillow at him… or kiss him again just to shut him up.
Her eyes widened the moment the last thought crossed her mind. Did she seriously just imagine that? What was wrong with her?!
Before she could decide, the words tumbled out. "What are you doing here?"
Too late, she remembered she had asked Lydia to send for him once he had available time. But that was just an hour ago.
'Wasn't he supposed to be busy?'
"You asked for me," he answered simply, watching her as she sat on the bed. "So I came. Can you move around on your own now? I know there are nurses, but you still need someone who can stay with you twenty-four seven."
She gulped.
Her grandfather had offered to stay with her, but she'd refused. She was grown, and the nurses were already more than attentive. She didn't want to be babysat.
Just then, the door opened and one of the nurses stepped in, smiling apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Miss Jones, for the delay. There was a sudden emergency in the room next door-"
Cassi quickly cut her off with a smile. "It's fine."
Seconds later, the resident doctor walked in, clipboard in hand, followed by another nurse.
"Just a routine check," the doctor said politely, giving Cassi a quick smile before glancing at Ezekiel. "Is it alright if we proceed, or would you prefer we go back later?"
"It's fine," Ezekiel replied smoothly. "I'm family, so you can check on her with me here."
Cassi stiffened at the word.
'Family?'
Her eyes flicked to him, searching his face for any sign of sarcasm but there was none. He looked perfectly at ease, standing there as if he belonged.
'Was he serious? About all of this? The engagement. And the future their families had planned years ago.'
Or was he simply playing along with the mess she created?
Cassi swallowed hard. She wasn't sure which possibility scared her more.
Turning back to Cassi, the doctor asked, "How are you feeling, Miss Jones? Any pain or discomfort?"
"None at all," she replied confidently.
"Good. How about urination? Any difficulty?"
She shook her head.
"Last time you passed gas or had a bowel movement?"
Cassi's eyes widened. Her whole body went rigid. She could feel Ezekiel still standing there, definitely within earshot and now she wanted to kick the doctor across the room.
Why now? Why that question? Why in front of him?!
The nurse beside her cleared her throat. "Miss Jones?"
Face burning, Cassi forced a smile. "About an hour ago."
She didn't dare look in Ezekiel's direction.
But from the corner of her eye, she swore she saw the faintest twitch of his lips.
The check-up didn't last long. After a few more awkward questions and some quick notes scribbled onto a chart, the doctor smiled and gave her a reassuring nod.
"You're healing well, Miss Jones. If your progress continues at this rate, you might be cleared for discharge in a week or less with continued private therapy at home," the doctor said with a pleased smile.
He flipped through his notes, then added, "Most patients in your condition would need much more time, but you seem… determined. That's clearly working in your favor."
"Thank you," she mumbled, still refusing to glance in Ezekiel's direction.
The nurses packed up their things and wheeled the vitals monitor out as the doctor gave one last polite nod and exited.
Then… Silence.
Cassi let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
"I have to say," Ezekiel's voice broke the quiet, low and smooth, "That was the most intimate conversation I've ever witnessed without being invited."
Her eyes shot toward him, wide. "Oh my God. Don't."
"Too late," he said, the corner of his mouth twitching into a half-smirk. "I'll never forget this day. Not the moment you asked me to tie your gown. And definitely not when you told a room full of people the last time you farted."
Her jaw dropped. "I did not-"
"You kind of did."
Cassi grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. He caught it one-handed, still smirking.
"Are you always this annoying?" she huffed, face burning.
"Only when I'm deeply amused."
She glared at him, but he didn't move, didn't break the gaze. His teasing expression slowly softened into something unreadable. Something quieter.
"You're really doing better," he said at last, his tone softer than she expected. "I'm glad you're recovering well."
Her irritation faded, replaced by something warmer. It wasn't just the words. It was how he said them. Like he meant every single one.
"Thank you," she murmured. Their eyes met.
"You asked to see me today," Ezekiel said, studying her expression.
"I thought you'd come back sooner… after what happened," she replied, her gaze not wavering.
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he walked slowly to the side of her bed. Calm and composed.
"You just woke up from a six-month coma, Cassi," he said finally. "I figured you needed space."
Her lips parted slightly, caught between wanting to argue and wanting to believe him.
"I didn't want to overwhelm you," he continued, voice low and steady. "Didn't want to sway whatever choice you're still trying to make. If this engagement didn't mean anything to you… I figured you'd find a way to walk away."
Her chest tightened.
"Is that what you want?" she asked quietly. "For me to walk away?"
He stepped closer, so close she could feel his calm intensity settle over her like gravity.
"No," he said, firm and unshaken. "But I'm not here to trap you either. I want you to choose it, Cassi. I want you to choose me."
Cassi felt her heart pound so hard it might break out of her chest. Ezekiel leaned in slowly, deliberately, until his face hovered just a breath away from hers. So close, she could feel the heat between them… she swore their lips were already grazing.
She held her breath, frozen.
Then his voice - low, calm, and dangerously teasing. "After all, you kissed me. Shouldn't you take responsibility?"
There was a pause.
"My father always said… a Valemont never walks away from responsibility." His eyes didn't leave hers as a faint smirk tugged at his lips. "And never backs down from their word."
Cassi's pulse thundered in her ears.
He was turning her own game back on her… calm, collected, and completely in control.