Chapter 5: Tending to the Fierce CEO

The next few days were a blur. Julian worked longer hours than ever, his face pale and drawn. He barely ate, and Lily noticed a persistent cough he tried to hide. On Thursday morning, Lily woke up to the sound of something dropping in the hallway. She ran out of her room to find Julian leaning against the wall, holding his briefcase. His face was flushed, his eyes bloodshot, and he was shivering despite his heavy wool coat.

"Julian!" she cried, rushing to his side. "You're sick."

"I am fine," Julian muttered, his voice hoarse. "I have an important merger meeting in an hour."

He tried to step forward, but his knees buckled. Lily caught him, her small frame straining under his weight. She pressed her hand to his forehead. He was burning up.

"You're not going anywhere," Lily said firmly. "Get back to bed."

"Lily, I must—"

"No," she interrupted, her voice leaving no room for argument. "I don't care about the merger. I care about you. Bed. Now."

For the first time, Julian didn't argue. He let her guide him back to his bedroom. He sank into the mattress, shivering as she pulled the heavy duvet over him. Lily spent the day taking care of him. She cancelled her classes at the community center. She went to the kitchen and made fresh chicken soup from scratch, using her grandmother's recipe.

When she brought the bowl to his room, Julian tried to sit up, but he was too weak.

"Let me," Lily said softly.

She sat on the edge of the bed, blowing on the soup to cool it before feeding him a spoon. Julian watched her, his eyes shining with a mixture of fever and raw emotion. He ate in silence, letting her care for him in a way he hadn't experienced since he was a child. After he finished, she brought him medicine.

"Stay," Julian whispered as she stood up to take the bowl away. His hand reached out, his fingers wrapping around her wrist. "Please."

Lily smiled gently. "I'm not going anywhere, Julian."

She pulled a chair to his bedside. She grabbed a book from his shelf and began to read to him, her voice a calm, soothing rhythm in the quiet room. As the afternoon bled into evening, Julian's fever began to rise again. He tossed and turned, mumbling incoherently. He gripped her hand tightly, his knuckles turning white.

"Don't leave," he whispered, his voice cracked with pain. "Don't go back... when the year ends. Please, Lily. Don't leave me alone again."

Lily felt a tear slide down her cheek. She leaned over him, using a damp cloth to wipe his hot forehead. "I'm right here, Julian. I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

She stayed by his side all night, holding his hand, whispering comforting words until his breathing finally stabilized.

The next morning, the golden light of dawn filtered through the curtains. Julian opened his eyes, his fever finally gone. He looked to the side. Lily was sleeping soundly, curled up in the uncomfortable chair, her head resting near his arm. Her hand was still tightly clasped in his.

Julian's heart swelled with a feeling so intense it terrified him. Gently, carefully, he pulled her up onto the bed next to him. He wrapped his strong arms around her, pulling her back against his chest in a long, tight hug.

Lily stirred, opening her eyes. "Julian? How are you feeling?"

Julian looked deep into her eyes, his arms holding her close. "The contract... we need to change it, Lily."

Before she could ask what he meant, his phone on the nightstand lit up with a call from his uncle.