The rain hammered against the windows of the Kane mansion, its relentless rhythm matching the pounding in her head. Evelyn curled under the heavy blanket, shivering despite the warmth of the room. Her skin felt too hot, her vision hazy, and every muscle ached. She had barely been able to stand this morning, but she refused to ask for help.
She was still determined to keep her distance from him.
But that determination faltered when the door creaked open.
Adrian Kane stood in the doorway, his suit jacket gone, sleeves rolled up. His eyes swept over her pale face, and for once, his usual smirk was absent. "You should have called the doctor," he said, his voice low, almost, though she didn't dare believe it. concerned.
"I'm fine," she murmured, though her voice cracked.
"You're not fine," he countered, crossing the room in long, purposeful strides. In one swift motion, he touched her forehead. The heat that met his palm made his jaw tighten. Without another word, he disappeared into the hall.
He returned with a glass of water and a small tray, a steaming bowl of soup, a cold compress, and some medicine. He set them on the bedside table, his movements precise yet strangely gentle. "Eat," he ordered, but his tone lacked its usual edge.
She tried, but her trembling hands made it difficult. With a sigh, Adrian took the spoon from her and sat on the edge of the bed. "Stubborn woman," he muttered, feeding her small bites until she had no choice but to accept.
The warmth of the soup settled in her stomach, easing some of the chills. Still, her eyelids grew heavier. She barely noticed when he placed the cool compress on her forehead, his fingers brushing her hair back with unexpected care.
Her breathing slowed, drifting toward sleep. The last thing she heard was his quiet voice, too soft to be meant for her, murmuring something she couldn't quite catch.
When she woke hours later, the room was dim, the rain outside now a gentle drizzle. Her fever had broken.
And there he was, Adrian Kane, slumped in a chair beside her bed, his head tilted slightly, his hand wrapped firmly around hers as if he had been holding it all along.