"Alright, I''m heading out."


    As Reece was leaving, he shed Colby a quick smile. Even a simple smile from Reece was enough to get under Colby''s skin. Colby turned off the stove and scooped out the boiled eggs. Sophie, lounging on the couch, nced over at Colby in the kitchen and remarked, "Why do I get the feeling you have a beef with Reece?"


    "He''s not worth my time," Colby replied with a cool indifference, swiftly peeling the eggs.


    Once the eggs were neatly peeled, he walked over to Sophie and gently rolled one over her bruise. "This will help with the swelling. You''ve been too rough on yourself; it''s gonna hurt tomorrow."


    "Reece is just the kind who likes to stir the pot. Don''t let his clean-cut look fool you; he''s got a mischievous streak a mile wide," Sophiemented. "I think he just wanted to see if you care about me, not to rile you up."


    Colby just gave a nonmittal hum, acting like he didn''t care much. Sophie''s skin was as delicate as porcin, and the bruise on her thigh was quite rming. Colby said, "But he did say one thing right." "And what''s that?"


    "I didn''t do a good job of keeping you safe."


    "I did this to myself," Sophie frowned. "Don''t talk like that again."


    "Keeping you safe is my top priority. From now on, no one''s gonna hurt you on my watch, not even you," Colby said, giving Sophie''s nose a yful tweak. "Let me carry you to bed."


    With that, Colby set the eggs aside and scooped Sophie up, heading upstairs. Sophie naturally looped her arms around his neck, but when she caught a glimpse of his profile, her mind wandered for a moment. It was as if she saw the cold, distant version of Colby from her dreams.


    "What''s up?" Colby asked, turning his head, his eyes still soft and gentle, revealing nothing amiss.


    "Nothing, just feeling a bit wiped out these days," Sophie shook her head.


    Colby gentlyid her on the bed, affectionately saying, "My little treasure, let me grab your pajamas."


    Sophie nodded obediently. Colby pulled a sky-blue silk robe from the wardrobe and helped Sophie change. As he finished, he kissed her corbone softly and said, "Let me change your bandage.


    "No need, I just did it this morning."


    "Be good," Colby said, caressing her head.


    With that, Sophie let Colby tend to her wound. His touch was


    feather-light, careful not to cause her any pain, though the wound was already healing. The scar was


    tender, likely still knitting


    Sugether.


    Sophie''s once wless, delicate neck now bore a small scar. In the past, she might have been anxious about such a mark-after all, a woman''s looks and figure are often her pride. But now, seeing the scar, Sophie felt at ease. She realized that when you''re strong enough, appearances don''t matter as much, especially when you don''t need them to make a living.


    "All done," Colby said, having finished redressing the wound.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Sophie nced down and mused, "Wonder when it''ll fully mend."


    "Give it another couple of weeks, and it should be almost there," Colby replied as he stood up.


    "Where are you off to?" Sophie asked.


    Colby, with a hint of exasperation, replied, "To wash my hands." He had a habit of washing his hands both before and after tending to Sophie''s wounds, a testament to his careful nature.