Because of Her, I Feel Heartache

Until evening, Lin Wan still hadn’t woken up.

Huo Tingxiao was anxious and called the doctor, but the doctor said it was because she subconsciously didn’t want to wake up.

She had been through too many terrible things and didn’t want to face them. It was easier for her to stay unconscious than to deal with everything.

Huo Tingxiao understood her pain and didn’t want to rush her. He stayed by her bedside the whole time.

Even though he felt extremely uncomfortable seeing someone so full of life lying motionless on the hospital bed, he didn’t disturb her.

Soon, night fell, and Su An arrived. He not only brought dinner for Huo Tingxiao but also news about the culprits.

Those people all had criminal records.

They had been caught and were being guarded closely, but no matter how much Su An interrogated them, they refused to say who had sent them.

They only claimed that they were confused and wanted to steal something when they saw no one in the old Huo family mansion.

They didn’t expect to find a beautiful woman there, so they had some inappropriate thoughts.

But who would believe that?

With the Huo family’s status in the southern city, even if the doors were left wide open, what kind of small-time thief would dare to break in?

Not to mention, they had plenty of time to steal whatever they wanted, yet nothing was missing. It didn’t make any sense.

Huo Tingxiao’s dark eyes narrowed slightly. He had already made up his mind. "Keep an eye on them. When Lin Wan gets better, I’ll interrogate them myself."

Su An hesitated for a moment before saying, "Mr. Huo, you haven’t slept at all, have you? Why don’t you rest for a bit? I can stay here and watch over her."

Huo Tingxiao shook his head and looked toward the unconscious woman. His emotions were hard to read.

"You go back first. I’ll stay here."

Su An looked like he wanted to say something but, in the end, just said, "At least remember to eat dinner."

Huo Tingxiao hummed in response and soon heard the door close.

He opened the food Su An had brought—a bowl of wontons and a plate of steamed dumplings, probably considering that he hadn’t eaten in a long time.

The meal was simple, but the smell was comforting. Just as he picked up a dumpling to take a bite, he suddenly thought of something.

He brought the steamed dumpling close to Lin Wan’s nose.

"Smell it. Does it smell good?"

The woman on the bed didn’t respond. Huo Tingxiao bitterly smiled, feeling like he had gone crazy.

For the first time, he desperately wished for someone to wake up, even if it was just to scold him.

She was usually like a thorny rose, always trying to stab him, but now she lay there so quietly, making his heart ache.

He put down his chopsticks and walked to the bedside.

Gently, he brushed aside a strand of her hair and stroked her cheek.

"As long as you wake up, I’ll agree to anything you want, no matter how unreasonable. Lin Wan, can you hear me?"

Her cheeks were burning hot. At first, Huo Tingxiao thought it was just his imagination, but when he touched her palm, he realized she had a fever again.

He felt a deep worry in his heart, but he didn’t panic. He stayed by her side, carefully wiping her down to cool her fever, repeating the process over and over.

It wasn’t until the middle of the night that her temperature finally dropped. This time, he didn’t dare to leave her side. He held her hand tightly, afraid of missing even the smallest reaction.

The night was deep, and he finally felt tired, falling asleep by the bed. He didn’t sleep well, so when Lin Wan’s fingers moved, he woke up immediately.

Thinking she had woken up, he looked at her with surprise and joy.

But instead of waking up, she was in pain, her brows furrowed as she murmured something.

"Please, don’t touch me... I beg you, don’t touch me... please, I beg you..."

"Please, don’t touch my stomach... I beg you..."

She kept pleading, her voice filled with more and more pain and desperation. It was clear how much she was suffering.

The guilt in Huo Tingxiao’s heart grew stronger. He tightly held her hand, trying to make her feel warm.

The person on the bed seemed to find some comfort, hugging his hand tightly as her breathing gradually calmed.

Huo Tingxiao thought she would continue to sleep, but suddenly, she opened her eyes.

The moment she saw him, fear filled her gaze, and she pushed him away with all her strength.

Huo Tingxiao’s injured foot was still in pain, and when she shoved him, he felt a sharp sting.

He looked at her in shock and was about to take a step forward when she hoarsely screamed, "Get away! Get away! Don’t come near me!"

Huo Tingxiao froze. A dull ache spread through his chest. He hadn’t expected her to hate him this much.

Unwilling to give up, he took a few steps closer.

"Lin Wan, listen to me..."

But Lin Wan looked extremely panicked, gripping the blanket tightly, her bloodshot eyes filled with fear.

"Go away! All of you, go away! Go away!" She hugged herself tightly, protecting her stomach. Her whole body trembled uncontrollably.

"Don’t come near me... please... don’t come near me..."

She seemed completely lost in the memories of that night, unable to even see Huo Tingxiao clearly, only refusing anyone who tried to get close.

Seeing her like this, Huo Tingxiao felt his heart ache. He stood still for a long time, listening to her desperate pleas.

Finally, he walked toward her.

As soon as he approached, Lin Wan became like a wild little beast, swinging her arms frantically.

Her nails scratched at his face and body, leaving behind deep red marks.

But that pain was nothing compared to the suffocating ache in his heart.

"Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me!"

She kept screaming and struggling until Huo Tingxiao pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

He kept apologizing, refusing to let go even when she scratched at his neck again and again.

Lin Wan tried her best to push him away, but he was like an immovable wall, completely unshaken.

She was in so much pain, her screams filled with despair.

"Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me! Ahhh!"

She suddenly bit down on his right hand, her teeth sinking deep into his flesh. Blood instantly flowed out.

Lin Wan whimpered, tears falling onto the back of his hand. Her body was burning hot, her pain so overwhelming that he could almost feel it himself.

His other hand gently patted her back as he comforted her in a soft voice.

"Lin Wan, it’s me... Huo Tingxiao. Those people are gone. They won’t hurt you again. I will get revenge for you and make them pay."

Lin Wan didn’t seem to hear anything. Her broken cries echoed in Huo Tingxiao’s heart.

At that moment, he finally understood what true heartache felt like.