“I’ll apply the ointment for you,” he replied sternly.
“No need. I’m fine,” I croaked out in a raspy voice.
His gaze darkened. “Either I help you apply the ointment, or you do it yourself. Decide.”
I burst out furiously. “Ashton, will you please stop?” I was drained out, but he kept getting on my nerves.
He nodded. “So, I’ll do it?”
His insistence annoyed the hell out of me.
I sat up and gave him a forceful shove. He was caught unaware and toppled to the ground. “Ashton, can you stop annoying me? I’ve told you again and again to leave me alone. Are you deaf?”
As soon as I yelled that out, I flopped down and buried myself under the covers.
I hadn’t acted that way for some time.
Deep down, I knew it was wrong to lash out at him. But I couldn’t help myself.
I thought he would leave, but he wrapped his arms around me gently. “I shouldn’t have done that last night. I’m sorry.”
He lowered his voice and cajoled, “Don’t be mad at me. You can beat me up later after you feel better. Eat something, will you?”
Mrs. Eriksen arrived with dinner. “Dinner’s ready!”
Ashton nodded and ordered, “Leave us alone.”
After she departed, he picked me up and strode toward the table.
He placed me in his lap. I wasn’t wearing shoes, so he told me to step on his shoes.
It seemed like he was cajoling a child. “Look at the delicious spread. Come on, eat up.”
He was really bad at this. Offering a forkful of pasta to me, he coaxed, “Come on. Open your mouth!”
I closed my eyes and avoided him. “I can eat myself.”
“Let me feed you.” He pushed the pasta into my mouth. Utterly vexed, I insisted, “I can eat myself!”
I sat on the sofa, picked up a fork, and started eating.
I didn’t have lunch, but I wasn’t hungry at all. After a few mouthfuls, I stopped.
Ashton frowned at me. “Finish your food.”
I knitted my brows and forced down another few bites. “I’m done. I want to sleep now.”
“I’ll stay with you.” He pressed on the bell so Mrs. Eriksen would clear up the utensils.
I gazed at him in frustration. “Ashton, I want to sleep alone.”
He stood firm. “I’ll sleep with you,” he insisted and reached out to hug me.
“I said, I want to sleep alone!” I shoved him away and yelled.
Immediately, I sucked in my breath as I had jostled my wound accidentally.
A hint of exasperation showed on Ashton’s face. He wrapped his arms around me firmly. “Be good. I won’t touch you or disturb you at night.”
“Go away!” I gave him another push angrily.
His lips pressed in annoyance. “If it hurts, let’s go to the hospital.”
“No way!” He was about to drive me insane.
Ashton carried me in his arms and was about to head downstairs. “Ashton! No one goes to the hospital because of this! What shall I tell the doctor? That you forced yourself on me?”
“Fine. I’ll help you apply the ointment. Then, we shall rest.”
“You’re crazy!” I couldn’t be bothered to continue this conversation.
As I didn’t retaliate, Ashton returned to the bedroom and put me down on the bed.
He started applying the ointment carefully. As I was frowning, he assured me. “I’ll try my best to control myself next time. I won’t hurt you from now on.”
I ignored his words and closed my eyes.
After applying the ointment, he stood up and removed his jacket before lying down beside me. The stench of tobacco irritated me.
“Ashton, stay away from me. I hate the smell of tobacco!” I jogged him and shifted away from him.
He stiffened and got up. I thought he’d leave, but he entered the bathroom to take a shower.
Soon, he came out and wiped his hair dry before coming back to the bed. Pulling me into his arms, he announced, “I don’t reek of tobacco anymore.”
My eyes were already shut as I tried hard to fall asleep.
Alas, sleep refused to come. I tossed and turned in bed restlessly.
Suddenly, I sat up in bed. Ashton was astounded. “I’ll go shower again,” he offered as he thought the tobacco stench was still lingering around.
I got off the bed and looked around, but the sleeping pills I brought back the other day were nowhere to be seen.
I glared at him. “Where are the pills?”
He narrowed his gaze at me. “What pills?”
Utterly vexed, I swept the vase on the cabinet to the ground. “The sleeping pills! Ashton, where are my sleeping pills? Give them to me now!”
