Chapter 4

At noon, the lock clicked open.

Alice pushed the door in, carrying a few paper bags, her voice holding its usual indulgent tone:

"Osman, why are you still lounging in bed?"

My dad followed behind, his face stiff, trying to stop her but failing. "Alice, listen to me..."

Alice ignored him, walking directly to the bedside.

But the moment her eyes met mine, the smile on her face froze abruptly.

"Davis? It's an even-numbered day. Why are you here? Where's Osman?"

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, he didn't wake up."

She stood there, stunned.

The bags were half-open, revealing a ski suit and a bottle of fir-scented men's cologne.

She had bought them for Osman.

Osman complained white tea was too bland and only wore this intensely bold cologne.

Realizing she had mistaken me, Alice subconsciously pulled the paper bags back, a flicker of awkwardness crossing her expression.

My dad quickly explained from behind, "Davis has a bit of a fever; it might have affected the medicine's absorption and the rotation."

Alice frowned. "If he has a fever, call a doctor. Davis, did you deliberately not take your medicine on time, just to keep Osman from coming out?"

I looked at her. "You think I'm stealing his time?"

"What else?" Her voice turned cold. "Today was his long-anticipated ski day, and a crucial deal for Anderson Group to acquire a key land parcel. You clearly knew..."

"I didn't know." I cut her off. "All I know is that from last night until now, I was in agony, practically dying."

She gripped the paper bag handles so tightly her knuckles were white. "Davis, don't try to scare me like that."

"Would you be scared?"

She reached out and grabbed my wrist, not allowing me to pull away. "I know you're upset about your birthday yesterday, but Osman has genuinely helped the company a lot these past few years. He's simply more charming than you."

"Just listen, don't throw a tantrum. Hurry and give up the body. In a few days, on one of your days, I'll take you to the beach to celebrate your birthday."

I lowered my eyes to her hand. "Which day will you take me? On my day, or on his day?"

Her throat tightened. "Davis, don't be like this."

"See, you can't answer."

She suddenly tightened her grip. "What exactly are you upset about?"

Pain shot up from my wrist bone. I pulled my hand away expressionlessly.

Alice's hand hung in mid-air. "You're pulling away from me?"

"It hurts."

Her expression softened. "I didn't use much force."

"Hmm."

"Davis, you're getting more and more perfunctory with your words."

I looked at her, my patience snapped. "Don't you love it when I'm sensible? What, you're not happy now?"

My mom quickly intervened. "Alice, you should go back to the company. Osman's... ski trip, you should cancel it first."

Alice didn't move.

My dad also said, "Alice, we'll watch Davis."

Alice didn't answer. Instead, she turned to me, her voice tinged with condescension. "Do you want me to stay and keep you company?"

In the past, I would have immediately nodded.

I would have swallowed all my grievances, just to have her sit by the bed with me for a while.

But now I just said, "No need. It would only bother you."

Her hand, clutching the paper bags, stiffened, as if she hadn't expected me to refuse.

A flicker of shock crossed her usually poised face.

But she quickly masked it, letting out a cold laugh.

"Fine, whatever."