Chapter 208
Autumn notices Keith standing hesitantly in the doorway, looking exhausted and flushed with a high fever. Concerned, she checks his temperature and learns he has no fever medicine or other symptoms at his sparse new place. She quickly orders medicine for him and tends to him by applying a warm towel to his forehead. Keith feels comforted by her attentive care and allows himself to rest.
Autumn brings a kettle from her own home, boils water, and receives the medicine delivery after a brief mix-up with the address. She gives Keith the medicine, covers him with a blanket, and carefully monitors his condition. Once his fever begins to subside, she prepares oatmeal and feeds him gently, their interaction smooth and natural.
Keith asks if Autumn has often cared for others in this way before. She reveals that she once cared for her spoiled sister-in-law, Sienna, who demanded her attention whenever ill. Despite Autumn’s efforts, Sienna became ungrateful and even betrayed her by conspiring with Luna to push her out. Autumn’s words soften Keith’s expression as he takes the medicine.
Just then, there is a sharp knock at the door. Autumn informs Keith that his fever has gone down and that he has a visitor, then prepares to leave. The chapter ends with a quiet moment of relief after Autumn’s devoted care.
Chapter 208
Autumn turned her head just in time to see Keith standing hesitantly in the doorway. He was still wearing the same shirt from the previous day, but his usually vibrant face was now flushed a deep red, and he looked utterly exhausted and fragile.
A sudden wave of concern washed over her—he had to be unwell. Without a second thought, she hurried over and gently placed her hand on his forehead.
Her suspicion was confirmed: he was burning up with a high fever.
Carefully, she helped him settle onto the sofa and asked, “Do you have any fever medicine here at home p>
Keith tried to sit up straighter, but his eyelids drooped heavily, his head spun slightly, and his whole body radiated heat. He shook his head weakly. This was just a temporary place he had moved into recently, and apart from the bare essentials, he hadn’t stocked any medication.
Autumn’s voice softened as she pressed on, “Besides the fever, do you have any other symptoms? A sore throat, congestion, cough? Please tell me everything now so I can get the right medicine for you p>
Keith shook his head again, his voice barely audible. “No, nothing else p>
Without hesitation, Autumn pulled out her phone and quickly placed an order for fever and cold medicine with express delivery.
As she finished, her eyes scanned the sparse living room and landed on the empty coffee table. She frowned. “You don’t even have a kettle here p>
Keith shook his head once more.
Looking around, Autumn noticed there wasn’t even a water dispenser. Did he really never drink water at home? The place felt so bare, almost sterile.
Determined to help, Autumn went to the bathroom, soaked a towel in warm water, wrung it out, and gently laid it across his forehead to help bring down the fever.
Watching her move around so attentively, Keith’s lips curved into a faint, grateful smile. For the first time in a while, he felt a flicker of comfort and peace. Closing his eyes, he pretended to sleep, savoring the quiet care.
Soon after, Autumn returned with a kettle she had brought from her own place. She boiled water, poured it into a cup, and set it aside to cool.
Just as she finished, her phone buzzed—the delivery had arrived. She hurried to the door, but only then did she realize she had given her own address by mistake.
Waving her phone to catch the courier’s attention, she called out, “Over here p>
The courier quickly handed her the package and left. Autumn returned to Keith, gave him the medicine, and then covered him with a thin blanket.
She stayed close by, changing the damp towel on his forehead every so often and checking his temperature with a thermometer every half hour.
Having cared for Sienna during her illnesses before, Autumn knew exactly what to do.
Only when Keith’s fever finally began to subside did Autumn feel a bit of relief and decide to prepare some oatmeal.
About thirty minutes later, she returned carrying a steaming bowl and carefully slipped a pillow behind Keith’s back to support him.
Much like the time he had fed her, she gently blew on each spoonful before feeding him little bites. Their movements were in perfect harmony, smooth and natural, without the slightest hint of awkwardness.
Suddenly, Keith’s gaze locked onto hers, his eyes darkening with an unreadable expression. “Have you often taken care of others like this before p>
Autumn’s hand froze mid-air, holding the spoon with medicine. After a brief pause, she replied softly, “Mm. I used to have a sister-in-law who was quite spoiled. Whenever she was sick, no one else could handle her, so I was the one who had to look after her p>
Grace had raised Sienna to be pampered and delicate. Whenever Sienna fell ill, she would specifically call for Autumn, insisting that only she would do.
At first, Autumn thought it was because Sienna cared for her deeply, which was why she made such demands.
But over time, Sienna only grew more unreasonable and stopped respecting Autumn as her sister-in-law altogether.
Despite her disappointment, Autumn had always fulfilled every request.
And what did she get in return?
Sienna had conspired with Luna to push Autumn out, even going so far as to frame her in an attempt to ruin her.
For that betrayal alone, Autumn could never bring herself to forgive Sienna.
Hearing Autumn’s words, Keith’s expression softened just a little. He accepted the medicine she offered and tilted his head back to swallow it.
At that moment, a sharp knock echoed at the door. Autumn glanced at Keith and said gently, “You’ve got a visitor. Your fever’s finally gone down, so I’ll head out now p>
The quiet moments of care between Autumn and Keith reveal a tender vulnerability that softens the harshness of their realities. Autumn’s instinct to nurture, born from past disappointments and betrayals, now finds a new purpose in tending to Keith. Their shared silence and gentle gestures speak volumes, weaving a fragile thread of trust and comfort between them amidst the lingering shadows of pain.
As the chapter closes, the weight of illness and fatigue begins to lift, replaced by a subtle warmth that hints at healing—not just of the body, but of the heart. Autumn’s unwavering presence and Keith’s quiet acceptance create a space where compassion quietly blooms, suggesting that even in the smallest acts of kindness, there lies the power to mend what was once broken.
Next chapter promises a delicate unraveling of emotions as Autumn prepares to leave, yet the unexpected visitor at the door hints at new tensions that could disrupt the fragile peace they’ve just found. Keith’s vulnerability and Autumn’s tender care have drawn them closer, but this sudden intrusion may challenge the trust and connection they’ve built in these quiet moments. How will Keith respond to this visitor, and what will Autumn’s role be as the situation unfolds?
The lingering shadows of past betrayals and unspoken feelings add a layer of complexity to their interaction, suggesting that the road ahead will test their resilience and understanding. As Autumn steps away, readers may find themselves wondering whether this new development will bring healing or open old wounds, and how both characters will navigate the emotional currents beneath the surface. The next chapter is poised to deepen the intrigue and emotional stakes, leaving readers eager to see how these fragile bonds evolve.