Jules was sprawled on the bed in the cabin, eyes shut in pain. She couldn’t decide what was worse—the biting cold outside or the cramps that felt like they were trying to kill her from the inside.

Josh stood in the doorway, arms crossed. “Again?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Dr. Chen. I’ll tell my uterus to take it easy next time.”

He rolled his eyes and unzipped his backpack. “Saving you from a slow and dramatic death.”

“What are you doing?”

Josh walked over, holding a small bottle. “Lavender oil. Helps with cramps.”

“You’ve been researching period pain?”

“Some of my patients at the hospital use it. Now lift your shirt.”

Jules hesitated, but the pain won. “If you make any dumb comments…”

“Yeah, yeah. I die. Got it.”

He sat beside her, rubbing oil between his hands before pressing them against her skin. She shivered—but not from the cold.

His movements were slow and careful, a stark contrast to their usual sharp words. The warmth of his hands mixed with the lavender scent brought relief.

“This… is better than I expected,” she murmured.

Josh smirked. “I’m good with my hands.”

“There he is. The cocky Josh I know.”

He chuckled but didn’t stop. After a while, he got up and left. Jules frowned.

“You’re leaving me after this intimate moment?”

“I’ll be back. Try not to die.”

Minutes later, Josh returned with a warm towel, pressing it against her stomach.

“Better?”

Jules looked at him, half suspicious, half impressed.

“Do you do this for all the girls?”

“No. You’re just lucky.”

She huffed but couldn’t hide her small smile. For the first time on this trip, the pain felt bearable. And for the first time in a long time, Josh didn’t seem so unbearable.