I straightened up, almost reflexively pulling my hand back. My heart was still racing from the aftershock of the frantic run earlier.
"That makes sense." I took a deep breath, forcing my voice to stay steady. "Captain was shot in the left abdomen. He can't exert himself. We have to get there immediately."
Just then, Wendy stepped down from the cabin doorway. The moment she heard that, her expression changed.
"What did you say?" Wendy's voice rose with tension. "Captain is injured?"
"Yes, injured." I glanced at her, a flicker of suspicion crossing my mind, why was she here? "But I gave him first aid. He's out of immediate danger, and new skin has already formed. He just can't move too much for now. If you're worried, you can take him to the hospital later for another check."
Even after hearing that, Wendy didn't seem fully reassured. Her eyes flicked over me briefly, clearly doubting my "skills," but she still urged anxiously,"Hurry up. Let's find Captain first."
This was Captain's private helicopter. The cabin was spacious, and the roar of the rotors made it hard for my heart to fully settle. I sat down, breathing hard as I pointed the way, my voice urgent: "To the left… keep flying left."
"Sister-in-law, do you want to treat your wounds first?" Ronan looked at the dense scratches covering my arms, the corner of his mouth twitching as if he had a toothache. It was obvious what he was thinking, if Captain saw this, the consequences would be hard to imagine.
I shook my head. Only when the helicopter was about to reach the cave did I take out cotton swabs and disinfectant, quickly sterilizing a few of the larger cuts. When I finished, I looked out again.
Wendy pressed close to the window as well, her voice trembling: "There's a cave over there… is Captain inside?"
I jumped to my feet, my heart pounding. "Yes, that's it. He's inside."
Ronan and Hunter exchanged a glance and, without a word, jumped down first to assist. Wendy followed to the cabin door, her dress already lifted halfway, but she was stopped in the end. She pressed her lips together, pacing anxiously every passing second felt like a full minute.
About ten minutes later to me, the longest ten minutes of my life, Ronan and Hunter finally carried Captain back.
Wendy immediately rushed forward, reaching out to support him, her voice filled with grievance and panic: "Captain, how did you end up injured like this? Do you know how worried I've been?"
I stood by the window, watching the scene, and suddenly felt strangely superfluous. With someone caring about him so much… whether I was there or not seemed to make little difference.
"Why are you here?"
Captain's voice rang out coldly, devoid of emotion. He calmly withdrew his hand from Wendy's, his gaze dark, then shifted straight to me standing not far away.
"Come here. Support me."
Wendy froze. Her face stiffened instantly.
"Huh?" I froze as well, completely caught off guard.
"Come here." Captain frowned, clearly losing patience.
I snapped back to myself and staggered over, supporting him with one hand while muttering through clenched teeth: "You're really troublesome. Sit still. If the wound tears open again, I'm not taking responsibility."
Captain raised an eyebrow. Calling him "troublesome", it seemed I was getting bolder by the day.
I helped him sit down, my movements no different from supporting an injured old man. He lowered his eyes, his gaze landing squarely on me, the countless tiny scratches on my skin, and my ankle, swollen and red, glaringly obvious.
"Were you hurt just now?"
He reached out and touched a scratch on my arm. The heat of his fingertips made me instinctively flinch back.
"You really have a death wish." His voice was low and hoarse, cold as ice.
I glared at him. Who did I end up like this for? And he still had the nerve to be so fierce, truly a great demon king.
Perhaps noticing my indignant yet defiant expression, Captain let out a very soft laugh. He reached out and touched the mole on my face, the motion so gentle it made my scalp tingle.
I snorted lightly and immediately dodged away.
"What's wrong with your ankle?" He narrowed his eyes.
"It's sprained," I replied flatly, bending down to rub it myself.
"Let me see."
His voice was close to my ear, so husky it made my ears burn.
"No need." I flushed. "I'm a doctor. I've already checked it, it's not serious."
"Behave."
His voice sank, dangerous enough that I hesitated before lifting my leg. Captain placed my foot on his thigh. The heat from his body transferred over, making me dizzy.
He lowered his head and massaged my ankle. His grip was precise, just the right amount of pressure. At first it hurt so much I nearly jumped, then gradually it became so comfortable that it felt… not right.
"That's enough!" I flushed and pulled my leg back. "It doesn't hurt anymore. Really."
Only then did he let go. I tried moving it, indeed, there was no pain left.
"Thank you," I said softly. "You're really good at this."
He didn't reply, only looked at me for a long time.
"Captain, let's go to the hospital for another check later," Wendy cut in, her expression serious. "Even if it's been treated, it's better to be careful."
Captain glanced at her coldly.
"Why are you here?"
Wendy stiffened, but still smiled. "I came to Ravenholm for work. I happened to meet Ronan, and when I heard something happened to you, I followed along."
"Is that so?" Captain snorted coldly.
She produced her itinerary, but he didn't even bother to look at it.
The atmosphere in the cabin grew so tense that I felt unbearably out of place standing there.
I tugged lightly at his sleeve and asked softly, "Do you… want to go to the hospital?"
"You want me to go?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I'm afraid there might be complications," I answered honestly.
He smiled faintly, but a glint of something unreadable flashed in his eyes, cold enough to make my spine tense instinctively. I took a few steps back without thinking, trying to shrink my presence as if even a moment too slow would let him see straight through to the bottom of my heart.
At the largest hospital in Ravenholm, after hours of examinations that left everyone exhausted and impatient, the doors of the emergency room finally opened. The doctor stepped out holding a report, surprise still lingering in his eyes.
"Who is the patient's family member?"
I hesitated for exactly one beat, then stepped forward, my voice so calm it surprised even me: "I'm his wife."
The doctor lowered his head to review the results, then looked up, unable to hide his astonishment. "The recovery is very good. There are no signs of infection, no fever. It's hard to believe under such terrible conditions, the wound was handled so precisely."
"I did it." I smiled, my voice light.
The doctor froze, eyes widening. "You did it? Do you know medicine?"
"A little," I replied, the corners of my lips lifting naturally.
For the first time, I clearly felt what it was like to stand straight without dodging, without shrinking back.
"That's remarkable," the doctor couldn't help exclaiming.
I said nothing more, simply smiling quietly.