?Chapter 39:


    Christina smoothed a gentle hand over Chloe’s hair and offered a reassuring smile. “I can’t stay, sweetheart. There are a few things I still need to take care of, and it’s just not convenient.”


    Chloe’s eyes sparkled with hope. “Why don’t you let Dn drive you around every day?” she asked softly, eager.


    Despite only knowing each other briefly, Chloe already felt a natural warmth toward Christina. She saw Christina and Dn as the perfect pair and quietly rooted for them to be something more.


    Christinaughed lightly, her eyes crinkling kindly. “Dn’s got his hands full these days. I’d feel terrible taking up his time,” she said, squeezing Chloe’s hand gently.


    Noticing how Chloe clung to Christina’s side, Dn finally stepped forward, shaking his head with a rueful smile as he gently pried Chloe away. “Easy there. Don’t hang on her like that—she had a rough night, remember?”


    At his reminder, Chloe’s expression shifted instantly. She backed away, guilt written across her face. “Sorry, Christina,” she mumbled, sounding like a child gently scolded.


    Christina waved it off with a smile. “It’s nothing—just a tiny scratch, honestly,” she said warmly and steadily.


    Seeing Chloe’s disappointed look, Christina added, “Tell you what. I’lle visit whenever I can, okay?”


    Christina nned to check on Chloe’s recovery during every visit after bringing the medicine to help speed her healing. Once Chloe grew stronger and her immune system bounced back, she’d finally be ready for surgery.


    Chloe’s face lit up, eyes shining with delight. “Really? You have to promise you won’t lie to me, okay?”


    Christina smiled with resignation. “I swear. I won’t lie to you.”


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    At that, Chloe rxed and personally walked Christina and Dn to the door.


    During the ride, Dn was thoughtful for a moment before breaking the silence. “Chloe can be a little blunt. Don’t take her words too seriously—she just likes you a lot. Sometimes she gets ahead of herself because she cares.”


    Worried Christina might be offended, he offered the gentle apology on Chloe’s behalf.


    Christina gave a softugh, her tone warm and easy. “Don’t sweat it. I think she’s sweet—and honestly, I was just joking with her so she wouldn’t get down about being sick.”


    Her lighthearted tone caught Dn off guard. For a moment, a subtle disappointment flickered in his chest. She really didn’t seem bothered by Chloe’s teasing about them together at all.


    “If King reaches out, I’ll let you know right away,” Christina offered.


    Dn nodded subtly. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”


    She shrugged, radiating unshakeable calm. “It’s nothing. It’s what we agreed on, after all.”


    An uneasy flicker of irritation stirred beneath Dn’sposed exterior, though he struggled to pinpoint its source. Was it her effortless detachment that unsettled him?


    He nced over, the usual chill in his gaze giving way to a sh of something softer—something he couldn’t quite name.


    At that moment, Christina sat in silence, eyes fixed on the scenery slipping past the window—each tree and building blurring into a gentle watercolor of light and motion.


    Dn, however, couldn’t look away from her. Sunlight drifted in, catching the fine strands of her hair and setting them aglow. For a moment, she looked ethereal, as if the daylight itself had chosen her as its muse.


    He lingered on the shape of her profile, dazzled, until she turned suddenly.


    Their gazes collided, a quiet electricity pulsing in the air between them. In the glow of her clear, vibrant eyes, Dn felt like he was staring into a mirror. Flustered, he cleared his throat, regaining hisposure, and his tone was guarded as he asked, “Are we going to your ce, or…”


    Christina snapped out of her thoughts and smiled to ease the awkwardness. “Just drop me at the hospital. I need to see someone.”


    “Sure.” Dn’s attention shifted back to the road ahead, but his heart thudded unevenly in his chest.


    Christina faced the window once more, outwardlyposed though her emotions were far from settled. A strange feeling spread through her chest. Was she actually developing feelings for Dn? That was utterly ridiculous. She banished the thought as soon as it arose.


    When they finally reached the hospital, Christina quietly thanked him, unfastened her seatbelt, and slipped out of the car.


    Unbeknownst to either of them, in a darkened corner of the lot, a figure lingered—quietly raising a phone to capture the parting moment, hidden from view.


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