Chapter <b>306 </b>


    <b>Raising </b>her voice a little, she called out<b>, </b><b>“</b>I’ming in, okay<b>?</b><i>” </i>


    <b>The </b>door slowly swung open, and a damp chillced with the faint scent of medicine grested her.


    Aria walked into the room and immediately spotted the AC set to a chilly 61°F. She frowned and hurriedly grabbed the remote, raising the <b>temperature </b>to a much morefortable 79°F.


    ‘He set the AC this low? Is he nuts?‘ Aria thought with an eye roll.


    Her gaze then fell on the bed, where Oweny motionless–his face unnaturally pale, and strands of hair stered to his sweaty f


    forehead.


    Aria stepped closer and reached out to touch his forehead. The burning heat was even worse than this afternoon. She frowned in confusion and asked, <b>“</b>Why is it getting worse?”


    Aria reached out to wake Owen, but just as her fingers were about to brush his cheek, she froze, her hand suspended mid–air


    “Face or head?‘ Aria hesitated, torn. ‘Tapping his face feels too intimate, but patting his head seems a bit disrespectful…


    Eyes shut tight, Owen could practically feel her burning gaze on him.


    His heart hammered in his chest–he was terrified she’d discover he was already awake. He held his breath<b>, </b>not daring to even blink.


    ‘I’ve never been this nervous, not even on covert missions,‘ Owen thought wryly.


    When Aria gave his shoulder a light pat, Owen nearly gave himself away. Hidden beneath the covers, his hand clenched into a tight fist.


    “Owen, wake up,” Aria urged.


    ‘Would it be too obvious if I woke up now? Better keep pretending,‘ Owen thought, steeling himself to keep up the act.


    Aria gave him a firm shake.


    Owen sensed the timing was right. He first feigned a slight frown, then, with deliberate effort<b>, </b>slowly fluttered his eyes open–the perfect act of someone struggling to regain consciousness.


    At the sight of her, he first feigned a dazed expression, then mustered a weak smile and murmured hoarsely, “You’re here?”


    Being sick really brought <i>out </i>his acting skills.


    Without thinking twice, Aria helped Owen sit up and casually handed him the thermometer. “Take your temperature,” she said.


    “Drink some water. I’ll go make you some soup.” With that, she set the warm water she’d prepared on the nightstand before heading out.


    Owen leaned against the headboard, finished his water, slipped the thermometer under his arm, and closed his eyes, pretending to nap.


    Aria came back in and shook him awake. “Give me the thermometer,” she said.


    His throat tightened, and his Adam’s apple bobbed violently. Keeping his eyes shut, he fumbled for the thermometer before handing it to her.


    Aria checked the thermometer and immediately eximed, “102.6°F! We’re going to the hospital now! Get up<i>.</i><i>” </i>


    Owen coughed weakly, his pale face flushing slightly. “Just… wipe me down with some alcohol,” he murmured hoarsely. “That’ll do.”


    His voice was hoarse, as if shrouded in mist, so veiled that it was almost impossible to catch any hint of probing in it.


    “Get up!” Ariamanded.


    <b>Owen </b><b>swallowed </b>hard and nodded in resignation. <b>“</b>Alright<b>,</b><b>” </b>he said,


    <b>He </b><b>threw </b><b>off </b>the <b>covers</b><b>, </b>pulled on his jacket<b>, </b>and slipped on his shoes.


    <b>Perhaps </b>it was karma for overacting–just as Owen stood up, his vision swam, and he staggered uncontrobly to the side.


    Aria quickly reached out to steady him, guiding his arm over her shoulders. <b>“</b>Lean on me,” she said.


    Her faint<b>, </b>delicate fragrance wafted into his nostrils as his hand lightly grazed the skin of her neck.


    Her skin felt a little cool to the touch, sending a faint shiver through him.


    It was irresistibly tempting to lean in closer.


    Owen couldn’t help but swallow hard, feeling his body heat rise even higher.


    ‘Breathe in, breathe out, Owen told himself, gradually calming down.


    Aria steadied Owen with an arm around his waist and pressed the elevator button.


    A long, tense minute ticked by.


    The elevator doors slid open.


    Aria froze as the elevator doors opened–Ondo and two women stood before her.


    Their gazes met, and silence hung thick in the air.


    <b>AD </b>