Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
“Is it still cold?” Jeremy asked hoarsely, noticing her reddened face.
“Yes… It’s fr-freezing…” Alyssa said, her teeth chattering.
Jeremy took a deep breath and slowly held her in his arms, pressing her against his chest, as if hoping she could soak up all the warmth he wanted to give.
“Still cold?” he asked softly.
Alyssa leaned against his body, nuzzling into his chest.
Jeremy sighed, one hand gently combing through her hair as if he was trying to console her.
Alyssa slowly relaxed in his arms, exhaustion making her body go limp.
Jeremy allowed her, silently bringing her hands up so he could check for injuries. Bruises and cuts lined her fingers. Dirt and gravel were caked up under her nails.
He pursed his lips. He couldn’t shake the memory of Alyssa’s resolute will to survive on the mountainside from his mind.
Pain lanced through his heart.
“Don’t risk yourself like this again, okay, Alyssa? You’re not some cat with nine lives!” Jeremy huffed, actually upset now.
“Tsk… Why do you care?” Alyssa grumbled, mind heavy and dizzy.
Until now, she remained as loud and adamant as ever.
“Why?” Jeremy’s face took on a reddish hue. “Can’t you tell?”
“No, I can’t. Tell me.”
Words eluded Jeremy, and in the end, he couldn’t go through with it.
“Hmph! Whatever. It has nothing to do with me anyway,” Alyssa scoffed and shut her eyes once again, too.
exhausted to care.
All she wanted to do now was take a hot bath and fall asleep in her large, comfy bed. She was so tired.
“Why did you marry me, Alyssa? Is it all because I saved your life once? All to return the favor?” Jeremy pressed her hand against his heart.
Part of Alyssa’s inhibitions were gone now due to her fever. She couldn’t even retort anymore,
“I married you because I loved you.”
Jeremy’s heart skipped a beat.
“I’ve always hoped to marry you and never expected it to come true.” Tears filled Alyssa’s eyes, though they never fell. “I spent 13 years trying to catch up to you, Jeremy. My entire youth was spent on you.”
“What about now? Do you still love me, Alyssa?” Jeremy asked, dying to know the answer.
She gently pulled her injured hand out from his grasp, as if safeguarding her pained heart from more suffering.
Until now, her heart still hurt for him.
“I don’t feel angry anymore. There’s no hate to be found, either. Naturally, there wouldn’t be any love lingering on.”
No love lingering on.
Alyssa couldn’t lie. Pain swept through her chest when she said those words out loud.
This pain had become a familiar companion. It was a constant presence in her three years of marriage to Jeremy, and she often worried it might trigger a heart attack. It struck her more often than the occasions when Jeremy spent time with her.
“What’s the point of asking all this now, Jeremy? Do you still expect me to feel the same way for you and not move on?” Alyssa asked weakly. She rarely appeared so fragile in front of others.
She continued, “I’ve loved you for 13 years. Tell me, how many more years could I possibly sacrifice? I can’t bring myself to love you anymore. I’m afraid to.”
She was scared of loving anyone else at this point.
It felt like someone was squeezing Jeremy’s heart. Painful emotion rose like a wave in his throat, cutting his breath off.
He suddenly realized just how vile he had been. Not only had he dragged her down in this meaningless marriage, but he had also ruined her.
“Are you telling the truth, Alyssa?” Jeremy asked, knowing he would be defeated by her answer in the end.
Nevertheless, he still tried.
“Of course. When have I ever lied to you?” Alyssa said softly. “I was telling the truth when I said I loved you, when I said I didn’t want the divorce, and when I cried those tears… Of course I wouldn’t lie when I say I don’t love you anymore.”
“Alyssa…” Jeremy’s eyes were hot with unshed tears. He held her hand. It felt so cold. He couldn’t keep it warm anymore.
“Thank you for saving me once again, Jeremy. I owe you one. I’ll definitely pay back the favor as long as your request isn’t too outrageous,” Alyssa said.
It was clear she was setting up boundaries between them once again.
Jeremy meant to say something in response, but she had fallen asleep on his shoulder.
He watched her as she did, her flushed cheeks standing out on her pallid complexion, reminiscent of a delicate bunny. He hugged her closer, reminiscing on the countless chances he had before to do this.
He had passed those chances by already. So he was going to appreciate this opportunity here and now as much as he could.
Jeremy could only blame himself for how things had turned out.
The walkie-talkie wasn’t functioning in this weather, nor could his phone pick up any signal. Though Jeremy wanted this moment to last forever, he knew it couldn’t, not with Alyssa running a high fever.
Panicked, he kept on feeling for her temperature and pulse.
He had to try to reduce the fever and signal for help. Only then the helicopters and rescue team could find them.
Finally, Jeremy went out into the rain to find some dried twigs and branches. He created a fire by the cave entrance to alert any rescuers. Afterward, he made a fire inside the cave so Alyssa could stay warm.
The orange flames lit up Alyssa’s face, highlighting how deeply she rested. Jeremy’s gaze grew warm as his eyes traced the contours of her face.
“Jeremy …” Alyssa suddenly mumbled in her sleep.
“I’m here, Alyssa.” Jeremy knelt by her side. “Do you feel warmer?”
“You… asshole, Jeremy Walsh!” Alyssa suddenly cried. She was having a nightmare.
Next thing Jeremy knew, she had swung a hand right in his face.
It didn’t hurt, though. It felt like a feather grazing his cheek.
Jeremy shook his head gently. Alyssa wasn’t even forgiving him in her dreams. It seemed he would need to dedicate his entire life to making things right with her.
While he considered committing his entire life, he abruptly halted his thoughts and questioned why he had such notions. It made him wonder if he had started to have feelings for her.
Jeremy’s heart thumped wildly as he pondered on that for a bit. He leaned down and gathered Alyssa into his arms before gently kissing her.
“Mm…” she moaned softly.
Jeremy deepened the kiss. All he wanted was to hold her and kiss her longer.
Just then, a flurry of wind swept up from outside the cave. It was a helicopter.
“Someone’s here to save us, Alyssa! We’re being rescued!” Jeremy cried excitedly.
The helicopter landed in front of the cave under the battering of the rain. Jeremy squinted as he looked at its decal.
It was not one of his copters.
Then, who had come to their rescue?
No matter.
All that mattered now was that Alyssa could get the treatment she needed.
Jeremy lifted her into his arms while she was still bundled up tight in his clothes and walked out toward the helicopter.