Andrew had just finished a call and was scrolling through his phone.

The driver stepped in, lowering his voice. “Mr. Lane, Ms. Blair said she'll be here soon."

Andrew looked up. The smile on his lips was soft and gentle, like the first hint of warmth after a long winter. "Alright, thanks. I know."

Clutching his phone, the driver sat down on the sofa, looking a little uneasy. He glanced around and then asked quietly, “Mr. Lane, are you feeling any better?"

Andrew's reply was polite, his tone distant. "Much better, thank you."

The driver picked up on the hint and grew even more nervous, choosing not to say anything else.

The moment Emily and Elizabeth entered the room, Andrew's eyes immediately found Emily. She met his gaze and walked in, calm and steady. The driver, sensing it was time to leave, quietly slipped out.

Andrew glanced at Elizabeth standing beside Emily, then looked back at Emily, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You came."

Emily nodded, just a little.

Elizabeth stepped forward and glanced at the IV hanging beside the bed. "Mr. Lane, how are you feeling? Has the fever gone down?"

Andrew kept his eyes on Emily. “Still a bit of a fever.”

Elizabeth let out a dramatic sigh. "That's not good. Winter's almost here. You really need to take care of yourself."

Andrew's response to her was cool. "I know."

Emily stepped closer to the bed, her voice even and calm. "Once your IV is done, I'll have the driver take you home."

Andrew tilted his head to look up at her. Maybe it was just the angle, but for a second, he almost looked innocent. "I thought you weren't going to visit me."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, glancing at Emily.

Emily's expression stayed completely calm, just like always. There was no extra emotion, nothing to give away what she was thinking. "You helped me before, Mr. Lane. I'm just returning the favor."

Her voice was steady and clear, her eyes open and honest.

Andrew searched her face, hoping to catch a flicker of emotion, but found nothing. Her gaze was as calm as still water. It was as if he was a stranger, someone who didn't matter at all.

He couldn't see any trace of anger or hurt in her eyes. The emptiness unsettled him, sending a wave of discomfort through his chest, making his throat feel tight. He wanted to see more, to dig deeper, but Emily had already looked away. She picked up the medical chart from the bedside, flipping through the pages. "When do you plan to leave the hospital? Is your assistant coming for you, or do you want my driver to take you home?"

Wanting to get a reaction out of her, Andrew said, "I was kind of hoping you could take me home. You know, since I helped you out at the resort."

He didn't even bother to hide that he was calling in a favor.

Elizabeth shot a look between the two of them, her eyebrows raised.

Emily didn't even glance up from the chart. “That's fine. I can give your things back to you on the way."

Her voice was calm, her expression unchanged. Everyone in the room knew exactly what "things" she meant.

Trying again, Andrew pretended not to understand. "What things?"

Emily set the chart down and met his eyes. "The diamond ring."

Her eyes were as calm as ever, empty of the stormy emotions he once saw in them that rainy night.