Chapter 20
Trevor had suspected Kylie of faking a wobble just to get into his arms, but her pale complexion and the beads of sweat on her forehead told a different story. She was clearly under the weather.
“I’m not doing great, Kylie murmured, her voice shaky, “Could you take me back to Starlit Villa? I don’t want to worry Noreen, and I’d hate to give her my cold.”
With a nonchalant nod, Trevor shed his suit jacket and wrapped it around her. He then steered her toward the exit, his pace brisk and his hand a comforting presence on her shoulder.
Samuel and Mel had a tough time navigating the crowd, only to find themselves just short of reaching Trevor as he whisked Kylie away.
They made a move to follow, but were halted by the event staff. “Mr. Walters has already left through the VIP route, they were told, a mix of politeness and finality in their tone.
The Lampard duo was left in an awkward standstill, their faces a picture of embarrassment. They were so close, yet
et so far.
Kylie was half–asleep in the car, hearing Trevor’s arrangement about everything, her head tilted against the window, the city’s lights blurring outside.
Trevor, sitting beside her, noticed the quiet tears rolling down her cheek, her expression a mix of sadness and something else he couldn’t place. She seemed so small in that moment, a stark contrast to the confident woman he’d seen earlier.
Trevor’s curiosity was piqued. What had upset her? A lover’s tiff, maybe? The idea that she might have said yes to him out of spite or hurt nagged at him. He didn’t voice his thoughts, though.
Instead, he turned to the driver and urged. “Step on it, would you?” His tone was firm, a clear signal that he wasn’t in the mood for delays.
After a quick check–up at Starlit Villa, the family doctor confirmed Kylie had a common cold and handed her some meds to kick the fever.
As the doc headed out, Trevor, loosening his tie, stepped over to Kylie’s bed. He aimed the thermometer at her forehead- wow, she was burning up.
“Kylie, your medicine is ready.” Trevor said, his voice gentle.
Kylie was out of it, only half–listening. The word “medicine” triggered a flashback
Craig and Melanie had once slipped her something when they were all over each other, and it had been pure hell. The heat, the helplessness, the mental mess–it hit her like a ton of bricks.
“I can’t,” she whispered, her voice rough as sandpaper. Her eyes were shut tight, and tears were silent rivers down her cheeks.
Trevor’s mouth tightened at the sight. He was about to make her take the meds when his grandma called.
“How’s my girl doing? You better be looking after her right, Noreen scolded through the phone. “Kylie’s family now, need to treat her like gold, especially when she’s under the weather.”
and you
Hearing his grandma’s stern voice, Trevor’s expression turned even more serious. “She’s got a fever, but I’m taking care of her.”
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end “A fever? That doesn’t sound good. You better wrap up that call and get back to my girl.”
Trevor hung up the phone, his eyes meeting Kylie’s. She was curled up tight, her face flushed with fever, tears silently trailing down her cheeks. It was a sight that tugged at the heartstrings.
He adjusted his tie, his tone firm. “Kylie, your fever’s spiking. You really need to take some meds for it.”
The word “meds” seemed to hit a nerve. Kylie’s teeth clenched, and she muttered through gritted teeth, “Craig, I hate you!”
The mention of Craig’s name, coupled with the tears on her face, told Trevor all he needed to know about what was going on.
Chapter 20
Her lip was bitten so hard it was on the verge of breaking. Trevor’s brow furrowed, his voice stern. “Kylie, pull yourself together.”
The pain from her lip seemed to snap her out of it, but she was still clearly in distress, her head throbbing, her body weak.
Her eyes met Trevor’s, the fog of her feverish state lifting.
Kylie’s voice trembled as she reached out. Thanks, is that the medicine? Hand it over.”
With a concerned look, Trevor passed her the pills and a glass of water.
After taking the medicine, Kylie murmured her thanks. “Once I’m off this fever, I’ll be as good as new. You should get some rest, Mr. Walters”
Trevor’s voice was a mix of concern and command. “You sure you don’t need help?”
Kylie nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “Positive. It’s just a cold, nothing I can’t handle.”
Seeing Kylie’s determination, Trevor thought back to her earlier vulnerability. Was she trying to prove her strength to him?
With that in mind, and his suspicions about her motives, Trevor gave a brief nod and exited Kylie’s room, leaving her to rest.
Kylie lay back down after Trevor’s departure, but the sandman wasn’t having it. That dream had been so real, like a flashback
past life, and now she was wide awake.
Or maybe it was the meds; either way, she felt weak but not as miserable as before.
Her phone buzzed, and seeing Ethan’s name, she answered, “Hey, Ethan.”
“Kylie, you sound wiped out. Are you sick?” Ethan’s voice carried a hint of worry. He’d seen her through every sniffle and Sneeze since she was little.
Her eyes were a bit red, likely from her illness. She missed her family something fierce. “It’s just a bug, I’ll be fine after some sleep.
“Where are you staying? I’m free, I can come take care of you, Ethan offered, not liking the idea of Kylie alone in some rental.
“I’ve got a roommate who’s looking out for me. You don’t need to worry,” she reassured him, still unsure how to break the news. about her sudden marriage.
Ethan relaxed a bit, “Alright, but if you need anything, just say the word. Oh, and Kylie, what’s this about you and Craig?”
“I ended things with him. Did he reach out to you?” Kylie’s lips were dry from the fever, and the pain from her dream seemed to resurface.
“He just called, wanting to know where you were. I never trusted him. Something about him has been off lately, Ethan said.
Kylie couldn’t believe even her brother had seen through Craig when she’d been so blind. She replied with a touch of irony, “Yeah, guess so.”
“Ethan, check this out. This paper looks just like yours, a voice in the background interrupted.
Kylie’s concern was palpable, “Ethan, is everything okay?”
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