Why did he dream of this same nightmare again? Theodore's mind searched for an answer, but it was as if his memories were shrouded in a thick fog. All he could recall was a sense of feverish delirium before everything went black.

He lifted the covers and sat up, his gaze drawn to an empty cup resting on the nightstand.

A frown etched itself onto Theodore's face as he tried to retrace the events that had led him to this moment. He had never used this cup before. So why was it here?

As he mulled over it, the sound of clang and sizzling wafted through the air, indicating that someone was in the kitchen.

A sudden intuition struck him—could it be Horace?

Theodore couldn't bear to think of what kind of disaster Horace might be causing in the kitchen. With a resigned sigh, he rubbed his temples and resolved to intervene before it was too late.

He made his way out of the bedroom, settling into his wheelchair and rolling through the brightly-lit apartment. The aroma of food wafted through the air, making his stomach grumble.

As Theodore turned the corner and entered the living room, he caught a glimpse of a lithe figure moving gracefully in the kitchen.

He could hardly believe his eyes—it was Ariana.

The mere sight of her stirred something deep within him, banishing the pain and weariness that had plagued him just moments before.

In that fleeting moment, he was struck by a powerful yearning, a desperate wish for time to come to a halt so that he could bask in the pure joy of this encounter.

Unbeknownst to Ariana, she was being observed by a pair of intense eyes. She was a blur of activity, donning a crisp apron and wielding a knife with expert precision as she prepared a meal.

The pot beside her was a symphony of steam and savory aromas, tantalizing Theodore's senses and beckoning him closer. Just as he was about to make his presence known, Ariana turned around, and their eyes met.

“Oh, thank goodness you're up!" she exclaimed, relief washing over her features.

She put down her tools and hurried over to him, her eyes shining with genuine concern.

She bent over him, her expression grave as she reached out to assess his condition.

Theodore felt her fingers brush against his forehead, and a shiver ran down his spine.

Her scent was intoxicating, and he found himself entranced by her every movement. For the first time, he understood the depth of her kindness and compassion, and a deep sense of contentment settled over him.

It was at that moment that he realized he would stop at nothing to keep her by his side, to cherish and protect her for all eternity.

Ariana heaved a sigh of relief after feeling Theodore's forehead and confirming his fever had subsided.