Chapter 3

Maya froze. Her lips parted, then pressed back into a tight line. She didn't argue.

That night, I immediately stepped into my role, set up a cot right next to her hospital bed, and stayed by her side.

The next day, Maya's complexion looked a bit better, and a flicker of life returned to her eyes.

"Do you want something to eat?" I asked.

Maya shook her head. "I don't have an appetite."

"You need food to keep your strength up. I'll go grab us some food."

Without giving her a chance to refuse, I stood up and went downstairs to buy some light, warm oatmeal and eggs.

Back in the room, I adjusted her bed so she was sitting upright. Then, spoonful by spoonful, I gently fed the warm oatmeal to her.

Maya obediently opened her mouth and swallowed the food.

I nodded in satisfaction. Eating was a great sign. It meant she wanted to live.

After the doctor finished his morning rounds, Maya suddenly spoke up. "Jason, I want to be discharged today."

I immediately refused. "No way. You need to stay for a few more days until the doctor clears you."

A serious injury takes months to heal. She had just survived a horrific car accident; there was no way she could go home the very next day.

"The doctor said that apart from the nerve damage in my legs, my other injuries are fine. Staying in the hospital is just for observation. I can do that at home."

"Jason, I really hate being in the hospital. Can you please help me check out?"

Her voice was quiet, but her tone was incredibly stubborn.

This was the first time she had gone against my wishes.

Seeing how determined she was, I sighed and stopped arguing.

I knew that once a gentle girl like Maya made up her mind, it was impossible to change it.

"Tomorrow," I compromised. "No matter what, we're staying one more day for observation."

The next morning, I handled her discharge paperwork and wheeled her back to her apartment.

And so, my life of taking care of Maya officially began.

Aside from her paralyzed legs, Maya had a six-inch incision stretching from her side to her back.

The wound was healing well, but it still needed daily dressing changes to prevent infection.

Plus, once the wound closed up, we had to apply scar gel.

No young woman wanted a massive, ugly scar on her body.

However, the location of the wound was a bit sensitive. In the hospital, the nurses had done it. Now that she was home, she found herself in an awkward position.

"Jason, can you... can you help me apply the medicine?"

Maya's voice was as quiet as a fly, her beautiful face flushing a deep, brilliant crimson.

"Sure. Just... pretend I'm your doctor."

There was no one else who could help her, so the responsibility fell entirely on me.

Before applying the medicine, Maya had to take off her top. I turned around, listening to the soft rustling of fabric behind me.

"Okay," she whispered.

I turned back. Maya had taken off her shirt, exposing her beautiful, flawless back as she lay face down on the bed.

Her head was buried deep in her pillow, looking exactly like a blushing ostrich.

My eyes were instantly drawn to her back. Her skin was incredibly delicate, pale, and so smooth that I could almost see the faint blue veins beneath it.

She was an absolute treasure of a girl. It was such a tragedy about her legs.

Grabbing the ointment, I forced my racing heart to calm down and began gently applying the medicine to her wound.

During the process, my fingers inevitably brushed against the warm skin around her injury.

The soft, warm sensation sent a jolt straight to my chest.

I had to hold my breath and focus entirely on the task at hand.

By the time I finally finished, Maya's face was burning hot.

"I... I need to use the bathroom."

Maybe the contact from the medicine application had stimulated her, but she suddenly needed to go.

Unlike men, women couldn't easily use a bedpan for this. She had to go to the actual bathroom.

Once Maya put on her pajamas, I scooped her up in my arms.

I was only wearing a thin t-shirt, and our bodies pressed closely together.

The physical contact made me acutely aware of her warmth and softness.

My newly calmed heart started racing all over again.

"Can you... can you help me pull my pants down?" Maya whispered as she sat on the toilet, her face so red it looked like it might burst.