Ellinor quickly picked up on the fact that he seemed to be hinting at something else Facing his eager gaze, she instinctively looked away âMr Blanchet, what the hell are you talking about? I wouldnât dream of stealing from the Blanchets!
With that, she reached for the car door, eager to make a quick exit.
But the door was locked, and she couldnât get it open Ellinor was a mix of anger and frustration. She tugged at the door handle. âOpen the door, I want to get out!â
Theo moved closer âIf you didnât steal anything, why the rush?â
Ellinor felt a warm breath on her neck that startled her. âWhat the bell?! Back off!â
Instinctively, she swatted at him, trying to push him away But she accidentally hit his injured left eye.
Theo grunted and quickly covered his eye, grimacing in pain.
Watching this, Ellinor panicked. âUh Sorry, I didnât mean to! Is your eye okay?â
Theo, still covering his eye, couldnât hide his gloom. He glared at her with his remaining eye. âWhat do you think?â
Ellinor blamed herself for being too rough. Usually calm and collected, her tone was unusually gentle.
âIâm sorry⦠Does it hurt?â
âYes, it hurts!â
For a tough guy like him to admit it hurt, it must have been pretty bad!
Could he lose his sight?
The more she thought about it, the more worried she became. Forgetting everything else, she quickly turned to Collin, who was frozen in the front seat, âWhat are you dazing at? Drive and get Mr. Blanchet to the hospital!â
ââ¦Okayâ
Collin snapped out of it and started the car. They left the Bagleys and headed for the hospital.
In the car, Ellinor no longer insisted on getting out. She craned her neck to check the road ahead. The road was clear, and they should reach the hospital soon After checking the road, she turned her attention to Theo Seeing him still covering his left eye made her uneasy. So she slid closer âUm⦠Mr. Blanchet, do you want to move your hand so I can see how your eye is?â
Theo raised an eyebrow and glanced at her He didnât answer, but he took his hand away from his eye for her to see To get a good look at his eye, Ellinor straightened up and leaned towards him. His eye seemed to be worse than earlier Her heart clenched with worry, and she felt incredibly tense Ellinor looked at him with concern and asked gently, âDoes your eye hurt a lot?â
The answered, âA lot.â
Ellinor looked around frantically, but there was nothing in the car to help alleviate the pain.
Out of options, she thought for a moment and said, âOr maybe I can blow on it?â
Theo hesitated and didnât respond, neither agreeing nor disagreeing Ellinor took his silence as a yes. She leaned closer and gently blew on his eye.
Theo let her do it. The gentle breeze on his eyelid felt like a light massage, and it did help with the pain a bit.
Seeing Theoâs furrowed brows gradually relax, Ellinor figured her blowing was working and continued.
Suddenly, Theo opened his left eye, meeting her gaze.
They were so close that they could feel each otherâs breaths on their skin.