Chapter 15

Groaning loudly, I throw the pillow at the wall. Why am I still thinking about Jason?!

"I don't want to act..." Jason's face was so close to mine that I stopped breathing for a moment, "...I want to be a true friend who you can rely on."

Damn. I got all excited by myself. He didn't mean what I thought he meant. He wasn't saying what I had hoped he was going to say.

"Eva, Miracle's crying. Can you come and help me?" Seb's voice calls desperately from outside the door.

"Alright." I mutter and walk out of my room. I've been too embarrassed to even text Jason since yesterday.

"What's up? Is something bothering you?" Seb asks, scrutinising my face.

I bend down and pick up Mircale from the floor. "No. Have you fed him yet?"

"No. I was trying to calm him down but he wouldn't stop crying."

As I stand back up with Miracle in my arms, I stumble a little. Why am I suddenly dizzy? I should be used to picking him up like this now.

"Hey, are you okay Eva?!" Seb sounds worried as he catches me in time. I can't even stand straight. He takes Miracle from me and supports me with his other arm under my back.

Doing my best to stand back up, I nod, "I'm fine. I'm just dizzy because I stood up too quickly."

"Don't bullshit me Eva." His voice is scary. I know by now that Seb knows me a little too well.

"Feed Miracle first. I'll be fine after I sit down." I say, sitting on the sofa.

Seb hesitates, glancing back at me but I narrow my eyes at him and nod towards Miracle. He should take care of the baby first.

"Fine." He huffs before leaving the room with Miracle.

I close my eyes and lean back. Why has it turned colder? I shiver and rub my palms together. The heating was on earlier when I checked. Has it stopped working? I huddle my knees up onto the sofa and wrap my arms around them.

Feeling a warm hand on my forehead, I smile with my eyes still closed. It feels nice in the cold.

"Silly, you have a fever. Why didn't you tell me you weren't well?" Seb's voice is soft as he speaks.

"I don't." I mutter. I'm not ill.

"Don't be stubborn Eva. Let me take you to your room. I'll keep Miracle in my room tonight. We can't risk having him become ill too."

He is speaking rationally. Miracle needs to stay safe and healthy.

"Fine. Take care of Miracle for me." I say quietly as he helps me to my room.

"Looks like I will actually be taking care of you." He chuckles, helping me onto my bed.

"Wait-" Standing up from the bed, I abruptly trip. Horrified, I wait for the impact but instead, I am pulled into strong arms.

My breathing halts and my heart beats loudly as I glance up to find Seb staring at me with concern in his brown eyes. "Why are you such a klutz Eva?"

I scowl, "I was dizzy again." I mutter. My heart is acting up because of the scare. I thought I would definitely fall.

"Don't move until you get better." He orders as I lie on my bed.

"You're not my dad." I mutter, irritated.

"If you don't listen to me, I will punish you." He leans his face close to mine and smirks. What the hell is he saying?!

"W-what on earth?" I roll my eyes.

"It's up to you." He shrugs, "Stay here nicely or get ready to be punished."

"You pervert." I mumble as he smirks and wriggles his eyebrows.

"Hey, I didn't even say anything. Your thoughts are just dirty." He grins and shakes his head.

My face reddens in embarrassment as I realise he is right. I instantly thought of perverted things when he mentioned punishment. Maybe I am the real pervert here.

"Forget it. I'm going to sleep." I mumble.

"Don't avoid the fact that you were found out as a pervert." He says in amusement.

"Shut up." I say, my embarrassment increasing. "I just thought..."

"Choose your husband carefully in the future Eva." He chuckles before stepping out of my room.

Pulling the covers over my head, I hide there. Why is he picking on me? I'm a lost cause anyway. Am I really becoming a pervert because my mother has pushed me onto the edge with her meddling? This can't go on.

Pushing off the duvet, I climb out of bed and slowly walk out to the living room. Where is he? Knocking on his room door, I receive no answer. Oh, he left it unlocked? Softly pushing open his door, I sit on his bed.

My eyes droop after a while and I find myself lying on the bed. Why is he taking so long to return? I'll take a nap whilst I wait...

×××

|Sebastian Eccles|

Wiping my wet hair with the towel, I enter my room. I should check on Eva before I get into bed. As I glance in the mirror, my eyes widen.

Turning around, I walk to my bed and shake my head. Why is she sleeping so peacefully on someone else's bed? She clearly doesn't care that I am a man.

I smile and bend over, staring at her lashes fluttering as she breathes softly. She has grown more prettier again but of course I can never admit that to her.

She suddenly whimpers and I immediately stand up straight. Touching her forehead, I feel the feverish heat.

"What am I going to do with you Eva?"