Chapter 7

Olivia's POV

I woke up from my afternoon nap when the hospital room door swung open.

"Who is there?" I sat up on the bed, feeling a bit better after waking up.

My headache had also lessened. However, my eyes widened in shock when Mark returned to the room. His yellow eyes met my blue eyes, locking with them, and I became so nervous I lowered my head.

"Hi, how are you doing?" Mark asked, his voice soft as he walked up to the hospital bed to meet me.

Before I could respond, the hospital room door burst open again, and Dr. Sam entered and peered at us.

"What do you want, Doctor Sam?" Mark asked before I could. His voice was laced with irritation as he peered coldly at Dr. Sam's face.

"Mark, I should be the one asking you? You came here uninvited, and I need to keep watch to ensure that you are not doing anything to harm my patient," Dr. Sam replied ruthlessly, and my eyes widened in shock.

"How can I hurt Olivia? She is my sister, and it's my duty to protect her!" Mark said protectively, and my eyes widened in shock at his possessiveness.

Dr. Sam scoffed, "Mark, you and Olivia are not siblings. So don't act like you care!"

Mark gritted his teeth, wanting to retaliate, and I quickly chimed in, "Brother Mark, please, just calm down."

Mark's gaze shifted to meet mine. His expression was cold, clearly not liking how Dr. Sam was interrupting him.

"Dr. Sam, is there anything the matter?" I asked, shifting my gaze to Dr. Sam, as I couldn't remember asking for him.

"Nothing, Olivia. I just want to be sure that you are in a good state," Dr. Sam replied, his voice soft, while I smiled at him.

"I am fine," I said with a nervous voice as Mark walked up to the bed to meet me. He set down the packaged meal he brought, clearly ignoring Dr. Sam, as he said, "I brought your dinner. Have you eaten?"

My cheeks flushed hearing Mark's inquiry. I didn't know why I was so nervous around him. I didn't use to act like this before. So I shook my head and replied, "I haven't."

"Good. We'll have dinner together then," Mark said, his voice soft as he set up the meal.

Dr. Sam looked at us and saw that Mark was not going to leave soon. He looked at me and said, "Olivia, if you need anything, don't forget to ring the nurse bell closer to your bed."

"Okay, Doctor," I replied, lowering my head.

As Dr. Sam walked toward the exit door and pulled it open, he glanced back at Mark, who was busy opening the food he had brought. He said, "Mark, do not forget that the hospital has surveillance cameras."

"I am aware, Samuel. Do not waste your time with such pointless reminders," Mark replied, his tone relaxed as he set up the meal before me.

When Dr. Sam left, Mark stood beside my bed and looked at me. I could feel his gaze crawling over my skin, and it made me uncomfortable.

He was supposed to be my adopted brother. So why was he looking at me with desire, like a hungry wolf wanting to devour a meal?

"I wouldn't hurt you if that's why you are acting nervous around me," Mark said, his masculine scent filling my nostrils, and I nodded.

The rain was thrashing against the window, and Mark went to close it as we were left alone in the hospital room.

His wild mushroom scent filled my nostrils as he returned to stand next to my bed.

"I bought your dinner, but I don't know if you will like it," Mark said softly as he pulled out the package of food for me. His hand reached for the ice cream package, and my eyes widened in shock.

*Why was he buying ice cream for me?* My heart raced, but I didn't want to dwell on it.

"Thank you," I said once Mark pulled off the ice cream cover. The delicious vanilla scent filled my nostrils, and my tongue and throat salivated.

"Do you want me to feed you?" Mark asked, his voice soft as his hand reached for the spoon to take it from my ice cream cup.

"No… why should you do that?" I asked him, my cheeks flushed at his closeness.

Mark looked at me in a way that sent shivers down my spine as he demanded with a gentle voice, "Why shouldn't I feed you? I do not want you to be scared of me or angry with me because of what my mother did to put you in this condition."

My eyes welled up with tears, but I didn't want to spoil the ambiance in the room.

"It's fine. I hold no grudge against your mother," I said as my hand reached for the spoon. I scooped a spoonful of the ice cream and licked it.

I looked at Mark, seeing him gulp as his eyes glowed with desire, and I immediately looked away from his handsome face.

I knew that Mark had so many girlfriends, so I swiftly waved any unthinkable ideas about him out of my head.

Mark was only doing this to make me forgive his family and not move over to Dr. Sam's house, I reasoned.

"Do you like the ice cream? I didn't know if it was your favorite, but I assumed that vanilla ice cream is most women's favorite," Mark said, his voice soft, but my smile and admiration for him faded.

"Yeah, you have so many girlfriends. How could you not know?" I replied, and Mark grinned as he moved near my bed.

"Do I smell jealousy? Who told you that I have many girlfriends?" He asked, his eyes watching me with interest, and it made my skin crawl again. I wasn't used to Mark caring for me.

"But you have many girlfriends," I replied, looking at his face in a challenging manner.

"No," Mark drew near my face, and he used his right finger to wipe the ice cream off my lips, then licked his finger.

My eyes widened in shock at his actions, as it felt like he had already kissed me by touching my lips and licking his finger.

"I…" I couldn't say the word or meet his eyes.

*What had come over Mark?* I pondered.

Before Mark could say another word, I wanted him to leave me alone because I wasn't used to this part of him. I didn't know what had gotten into him. *Did Mark wake up on the wrong side of the bed today?*

Earlier, I had wondered why he defended me. And now, he is acting like I am his girlfriend. *Wait, does Mark have feelings for me?*

As I wanted to send him away so that I could eat my food in peace and think about my life, his phone rang—it was a call from his father.

"Excuse me, Olivia, I will join you soon," Mark said as he moved away from me to answer his call.

I breathed out heavily as his masculine scent of wild mushrooms faded from my nostrils.

Quickly, I grasped the ice cream spoon and scooped it faster, before Mark could finish his call. He stood a short distance away from my bed.