ra turned to leave, but he grabbed her wrist, his grip so tight it stung. She yanked her hand away, stepping back a few paces while rubbing her wrist. Dn''s face fell, and he mumbled apologetically, "I''m sorry."


    "It''s fine, I''ll get Aiden," she replied quickly, eager to escape the awkwardness. She hurried off to find Aiden''s room.


    "Mr. Dn''s got a cut on his palm. Can you grab a first aid kit from the front desk and patch him up?" she asked.


    Aiden didn''t even open the door, sounding puzzled. "The boss was fine on the way here. How''d he get a cut?"


    "I''m pulling ate one here, Ms. ra. Could you handle it?" Aiden said, clearly tied up with work.


    ra sighed, knowing she couldn''t just leave it. If Dn got an infection, she''d be partly to me. She dashed to the front desk, grabbed the kit, but was stopped by Eden as she returned.


    Eden didn''t bother hiding her intentions anymore-ra was well aware of her feelings. "Dn''s hurt? Hand over the first aid kit. I''ll take care of him."


    ra was more than happy to pass the torch. She handed Eden the kit and retreated to her room, ready to catch some sleep.


    Just as she settled in, Eden''s crying echoed through the halls, clearly having been sent packing. Serves her right...


    About to doze off, her phone buzzed with a text from Z.


    [You still up?]


    [Yeah, what''s up?]


    After sending it, she realized it might seem a bit curt; not the best way to chat with her boyfriend. She took a breath and messaged again.


    [Just letting you know I''m on a business trip. Don''t swing by my ce this week, I won''t be there.]


    With that sent, she tried to sleep, but Dn''s message popped up.


    [You asleep?]


    ra decided not to reply, pretending she was already out cold. Then Z texted again.


    [I''ll miss you.]


    ra smiled, replying quickly, [I''m in a coastal city. I''ll grab you some seashells.] [Sounds good.]


    Seeing his response, she set her phone aside, yawned, and drifted off.


    The next morning, her rm red her awake. After getting ready, she stepped out to find Eden loitering by Dn''s door. As she moved to pass, the door opened and Dn was wheeled out.


    She hesitated, letting him go ahead and fell in step behind Aiden. On the way to the hotel restaurant, Eden rambled about the windy night keeping her awake, but Dn, true to form, stayed silent.


    At the restaurant, the local bigwigs from Azure Shores were already waiting. Eager to greet Dn, they hesitated upon seeing his pale face, opting for polite small talk before taking their seats.


    Dn ended up next to ra. She thought about switching seats but didn''t want to make it awkward, so she stayed put. Being in a coastal city meant a seafood feast awaited them.


    The table was packed with seafood, and the aroma was mouthwatering. ra was about to dig in when she noticed Dn''s palm was still raw and red, clearly untreated. He picked up a fork, but it slipped from his hand.


    Seeing this, ra couldn''t just ignore it. She used the serving utensils to ce some food on his te. "Mr. Dn, if there''s anything you want, just let me know."


    Dn nced at her but stayed silent. ra wasn''t sure if she was being helpful or overstepping, but she continued peeling shrimp for him.


    Eden, sitting across from them, sneered. "ra, don''t you know Dn''s allergic to seafood...?"


    Before she could finish, Dn popped a shrimp into his mouth. ra looked at Eden, puzzled. "Allergic to seafood?"


    Eden''s face flushed, caught in her own bluff. Dn used to have a seafood allergy, but apparently not anymore. ra shrugged it off, thinking Eden was just trying to stir the pot, and kept peeling shrimp for Dn.


    She peeled, he ate, until Aiden couldn''t hold back. "Ms. ra, you should eat too."


    ra chuckled and set the shrimp aside. "Mr. Dn, I''m going to eat now." "Alright," Dn murmured, his voice soft. Unbeknownst to ra, a rash was creeping up his neck, but she was too busy enjoying her meal to notice.