Noelle didn't sleep well that night. After tossing and turning in bed for what felt like an eternity, she finally drifted into a light, hazy slumber.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed when she suddenly felt as though there was someone by her bedside. Still groggy, she tried her best to open her eyes, only to see someone truly sitting there. Noelle jumped in fright, letting out a sharp scream.

"It's me," Hendrix said. His faint, weightless voice in the dark night felt hollow.

Still startled, it took Noelle a while to process what was happening. Then, without thinking, she lifted her leg to kick him. She was undeniably angry. After all, anyone would be in a foul mood to be scared awake after finally managing to fall asleep.

However, Hendrix caught her ankle effortlessly just as she raised her foot.

Noelle's feet had finally warmed up after hours under the covers, but a shiver shot through her entire body the moment Hendrix wrapped his cold hand around her ankle.

"Let go! Your hand is freezing!" she cried.

Hendrix ignored her protest entirely, tightening his grip on her ankle before pulling her to him.

"You!"noveldrama

Noelle had just managed to utter one word when Hendrix suddenly leaned down and buried his head against her neck. The rest of her words vanished instantly.

She gripped the bedsheet beneath her tightly. She wanted to push him away with her legs, but her instinct to press his head down won in the end. Eventually, she couldn't help but stroke his hair.

But the moment her fingers touched it, she realized something was wrong. It was damp, and under the faint) moonlight spilling into the room, she saw the color of that dampness clearly-it was red.

Blood!

In an instant, Noelle snapped out of her sleepiness. She shot upright from the bed in alarm.

"You're hurt? How did you get blood on your hair? Hendrix get up right now!" Noelle's voice grew increasingly anxious. Frowning, she grabbed his hand to pull him up.

Hendrix looked at her but didn't respond.

Seeing this, Noelle didn't press him further. She simply turned and went to fetch the first-aid kit.

When she returned, Hendrix had already taken off his coat and tossed it aside. His gaze was lowered, making him look cold and distant

Seeing this, Noelle couldn't help but pause in her steps. But Hendrix quickly looked up, and when their eyes met, the coldness in his expression softened almost instantly. The subtle change eased Noelle's heart, and she continued walking with the supplies in hand.

As she gently parted his hair, she discovered a long, deep gush on his head, clearly made by a sharp object. She pressed her lips into a tight line. She wanted to ask, but seeing that Hendrix had no intention of explaining, she chose not to push him.

Silently, she disinfected the wound before finally securing a bandage over it.

"Do you need to go to the hospital?" Noelle asked.

"No."

"Okay."

Noelle didn't press further, instead quietly tossing the used cotton swabs and other supplies into the trash. When she closed the first-aid kit and turned around, she realized Hendrix was still staring at her intently. That look sent a jolt through her body. "What's wrong?"

Hendrix narrowed his eyes. "Aren't you going to ask me anything?"

"I figured you didn't want to talk about it."

"You're not going to ask just because I don't want to talk about it?"

"Yeah. I don't like prying into other people's business.

Other people. Those two words made Hendrix's teeth clench while the veins on his forehead twitched uncontrollably. But he had grown much better at controlling his emotions now.