lan sat in the chair beside the bed, his eyes never leaving Eleanor's sleeping form. Her pale face was flushed with an unnatural feverish color, and her expression was relaxed, like a defenseless child.

He was grateful he had insisted on following her, allowing him to get her to the hospital in time.

The IV drip was making her arm cold. Ian reached out and gently took her hand in his. It was like ice.

He cupped it between his palms, trying to transfer some of his own warmth to her. Gavin waited outside, not daring to disturb them.

Time ticked by. The sound of the rain outside only amplified the silence in the

room.

lan was startled back to the present when a nurse pushed the door open to check on the IV bag. Seeing it was empty, she came over to remove the needle.

After she left, lan pressed a cotton ball to the injection site until the bleeding stopped. He felt Eleanor's forehead again; the fever had gone down slightly, but it hadn't broken completely.

Her hand was still cold, so he held it again, warming it in his own before tucking it back under the covers.

lan shifted in his seat. The only light in the room spilled in from the hallway, creating an unspoken moment of tranquility.

Eleanor slept deeply, as if she hadn't had a proper rest in ages, her features peaceful and content.

Without the cool, distant walls she usually put up around him, she seemed exceptionally fragile and quiet.

lan's gaze traced her features, and memories surged, wild and untamed, pulling him back to moments that had truly existed between them. His expression deepened as the past and present blurred. Just then, Eleanor shifted in her sleep, turning to face him. Her lips parted slightly, and for a reason only he knew, the corner of his mouth curved into a faint smile.

The hours crept by. Around four in the morning, Eleanor's long lashes fluttered. She slowly opened her eyes, the fog of the fever having lifted considerably.

She blinked, adjusting to the dim light, and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling for a few seconds, confused.

Was she... in a hospital?

Her eyes widened as the memories returned. She had collapsed in the elevator, and lan had been there.

Eleanor instinctively sat up and looked toward the chair.

In the dim light, she could make out lan's form, resting with his eyes closed.

It really was him.

Her heart sank, a complicated mix of embarrassment, annoyance, and a reluctant acknowledgment of the truth washing over her.

He had brought her to the hospital and stayed with her all night.

Her first instinct was to flee. She carefully pushed back the covers, trying not to wake him.

But the slight movement was

enough to stir the light-sleeping lan. His eyes snapped open his sharp gaze instantly locking onto her back as she tried to slip out of bed.

"You're awake?" he asked, his voice raspy with sleep.

Eleanor froze. With her back still to him, she said in a cool voice, "I'm fine now. Thank you for bringing me here After a pause, she added, " transfer you the money for the medical bills."

lan frowned, not expecting her first words upon waking to be a move to draw a clear line between them.

Annoyed, Eleanor realized her shoes were on his side of the bed. She shifted to get out on the other side.

lan stood up, his eyes darkening as he watched her obvious avoidance. "The doctor recommended a full check-up tomorrow. Your fever was dangerously high last night."

"That won't be necessary. I know own body" Eleanor said, sitting on the edge of the bed to put on her shoes. But as her feet touched the floor, her legs felt like jelly, and she nearly stumbled.

lan's hand shot out to steady her, but the moment he touched her arm, she

flinched away as if burned. "Don't touch me."

Her voice was sharp with frustration. "I can manage."

lan watched her struggle to stand, her pride on full display. He knew how stubborn

she was; forcing the issue would only make her more resentful.