Chapter 755:

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“Look for yourself.” His tone had already returned to its familiar ice.

Though Julian held the baby with obvious discomfort, little Jillian slumbered peacefully in his awkward embrace.

Katherine’s trembling fingers traced her daughter’s face, checking the steady rhythm of her breathing before her shoulders finally sagged with relief.

As her body settled back against the mattress, Julian resumed tending to her wound. Katherine, desperate to avoid any uncomfortable intimacy, pushed against his hands.

“I can manage this myself.”

Her unexpected resistance caused him to press the cotton swab deeper into the wound, tearing a sharp cry from her throat.

His expression darkened like storm clouds gathering, torn between protective concern and simmering rage. His voice carried an edge of barely controlled intensity.

“This is my house. What I decide stands.”

Katherine met his glare with unwavering defiance, continuing to push him away despite her weakness.

Julian’s hand found her neck, his fingers circling the delicate column. Fear of his own strength made him loosen his grip immediately, though his jaw clenched with mounting frustration.

𝖭𝗲𝘸 𝗐𝗲e𝗸𝗹𝘺 c𝗵𝘢𝗉𝘁е𝘳𝘀 o𝗻 𝘨𝗮𝘭𝘯𝗈𝘷𝗲lѕ.𝘤𝗈𝗺

“You can barely stand on your own feet, yet you won’t allow me near you. Do I disgust you that much?”

Katherine held his stare without flinching.

“This is your house and your bed, the same one you share with your girlfriend. Wouldn’t it be rather inappropriate for me to stain it with my blood?”

“What happens between her and me doesn’t concern you.”

Julian’s fury burned through his muscles like fire. He wanted to make her wince as he treated her wound, yet each touch grew more tender than the last.

The gaping injury, its edges still weeping crimson, transported him back to the moment she had been hurt. A murderous rage flickered behind his eyes. Colten had promised to make her the world’s happiest woman. Was this his idea of fulfilling that vow?

All bragging.

After Julian completed his careful tending of her wound, he cleaned her body once more with gentle strokes.

He discarded her coat without ceremony, ensuring her skin was completely dry before wrapping her in a thin blanket, tucking every edge with meticulous care. The injury had left her drained, and he could see the telltale signs of approaching fever in her flushed cheeks.

Such a wound had reduced her to this fragile state. Her delicate constitution filled him with equal parts frustration and fury.

Katherine nestled her head close to Jillian’s, surrendering to deep, healing sleep.

Julian claimed the bedside chair, his vigil beginning in earnest.

Mother and daughter lay wrapped in peaceful slumber, cocooned in warmth that excluded him entirely.

A bitter smile tugged at his lips, though his eyes never left their sleeping forms. His gaze captured every subtle shift in Katherine’s expression during her rest. Her sleep grew increasingly turbulent. Her breathing deepened into labored pants, her brow creased with discomfort, and her cheeks blazed with unnatural heat.

He extended his hand to test her forehead. The fever had arrived exactly as he had predicted.

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