As sunset approached, William Hale glanced at Zoe Bell lying in the hospital bed.
Her lips had lost all their color from the fever, and the remnants of the setting sun bled into the room, bathing the entire ward in a giant pool of orange soda.
It was as if something was bubbling up fiercely, unsettling the heart.
William rose to his feet, drew the curtains shut, leaving only a small gap. The small window on the door was blocked, and only the light from the slit penetrated, leaving no other brightness in the room.
He prepared warm water, and the clothes for washing were all arranged by Nanny Parker.
Of course, that included undergarments.
William's eyes darkened.
"Zoe."
He called her name softly, and Zoe merely murmured in response.
He hesitated for a moment, then began to undo the buttons of her nightgown.
The neckline partly open, the edge of her underwear was visible.
White skin against black lingerie.
The stark contrast was striking.
