He tenderly rested her head on his shoulder as she wept in his embrace.

Saying nothing, he was indifferent to the tears staining his shirt, gently patting her back as one would soothe a cherished pet.

The doorbell interrupted the moment. It was a waiter delivering their meal.

"It's okay," Marcus whispered softly, kissing her lips. She avoided his gaze.

"I'll get the food. You should get up and freshen up," he suggested, a hint of blush on his face. "You can find my clothes in the dressing room. Choose something to wear. I'll have Sylvia bring you some of your own clothes later."

Melissa felt too shy to show herself.

Marcus, smiling slightly, walked over to open the door.

Once he was gone, Melissa quickly wrapped herself in a bathrobe and hurried to the bathroom.

She hesitated to shower for too long, worried he might return and enter the bathroom, possibly unable to hold back... Melissa was in pain. Earlier, with Marcus there, she had disregarded her discomfort.

Now, just standing made her back ache.

Her reflection in the foggy mirror showed her face.

Gently touching her face, she was in disbelief, yet she couldn't deny the truth, She felt a mix of physical and emotional joy.

She had feelings for Marcus.

Marcus wheeled in the dining cart. Unable to wait any longer, he followed her in after just two minutes.

He took out a dark gray shirt and stood by the bathroom door, waiting for Melissa.

She soon emerged from the bathroom, her face warm and her hair wet.

Then, she found herself enveloped in his embrace.

Marcus held her with one arm, drying her with the other, and then carefully dressed her in the shirt, buttoning it up for her. This was new for her. She was usually the one taking care of him.

She hadn't really dressed him, but she had tied his tie.

Marcus gently lowered his head and kissed her chin, playfully remarking, “I never realized you were so petite."