Since he was feeling so unwell, ra just couldn''t bring herself to push him away. She let him hold her, doing nothing to stop him.
It was the first time she''d ever seen Dn looking so vulnerable. She''d always imagined him as this strong, untouchable person. But now, seeing him sick, she realized he neededfort just like anyone else.
His body was like a furnace, radiating heat like a zing fireball.
ra''s mind drifted to a few days ago when Z had been sick, alone in that dark, old house. Unlike Dn, Z preferred to hide away when he was ill, nursing his wounds in solitude.
Dn, on the other hand, didn''t try to hide his vulnerability at all.
She wasn''t sure if she was reading this right and dared not move a muscle.
Three hourster, the car finally stopped at their destination.
ra looked out at the deste ruins and felt a wave of irritation wash over her.
"Aiden, are you sure this is the ce?"
"Yes."
Her chest tightened with frustration. "This ce is just ruins. You can''t even tell where the estate used to be, and it looks like it was on fire at some point. What are we supposed to find here? I thought there''d be a pharmacy nearby, but after driving for three hours, we''re in the middle of nowhere. Are you trying to let Mr. Dn die in the car?"
They hadn''t seen a single house on the way here. Whye to a ce that''s nothing but a wreck?
And Dn, why didn''t he say anything about it sooner?
ra was already on edge, and feeling the heating off him only made it worse.
What were they supposed to do? Drive three hours back?
She took a deep breath and rolled down the window. "Aiden, can you call for help? Get someone toe pick us up."
Aiden nodded calmly, took out his phone, and started walking away. "There''s no signal, Ms. ra. You and the boss stay here in the car. I''ll find a spot with a signal. If I don''te back, just drive off. I''ll find my own way back."
ra was taken aback, thinking he must be joking.
How was he supposed to get back on his own?
But Aiden was already walking away.
She quickly rolled up the window to keep the warmth inside.
Sitting across from Dn, she pulled out a bottle of water and gently patted his face. "Mr. Dn, have some water."
Dn opened his eyes, gave her a quick nce, then turned away, refusing to drink.
ra pressed the bottle to his lips. "Your lips are cracked from the fever. Just a little to moisten them."
Dn frowned and turned away again.
With no other option, ra carefully poured some water into her palm and leaned in to moisten his lips with her fingertips.
The closeness, coupled with the touch of his lips, gave her the impression he was kissing her fingertips.
She looked up to find him staring at her, prompting her to pull back quickly.
This vulnerable Dn waspletely different from his usual distant self. His gaze was intense, almost cutting, making it hard to ignore.
ra realized he was probably delirious from the fever, maybe mistaking her for someone else.
Who did he think she was?
A lost love from his past?
But she couldn''t me someone who was delirious, so she quietly set the water bottle down, intending to get some fresh air outside.
Just as she turned, he caught her wrist. He didn''t say anything, but every part of him seemed to beg her to stay.
"Mr. Dn, you should rest. I''m just stepping out..."
Before she could finish, his hand slid from her wrist to intertwine their fingers.
The warmth spread, making the small space feel even more suffocating.
ra instinctively tried to pull away, but he held her tight.
"Mr. Dn, you''ve got the wrong person."
She spoke softly, yet didn''t struggle further.
Truth be told, she didn''t want anything bad to happen to Dn.
With his eyes closed, Dn suddenly pulled her closer.
ra quickly ced a hand between them to stop herself from falling into his
arms.
She thought he might keep up his restless behavior, but instead, he just leaned his head against her shoulder.
ra lowered hershes as his raspy voice whispered in her ear, "Could you, just this once, let me be?"