**Chapter 6** *Dramatic Revelations?* Victoria found herself pausing, a soft chuckle escaping her lips as she contemplated her situation. "Of course, I can't compete with Claudia's capacity for empathy," she mused, the words tumbling from her mouth before she fully grasped their implications. Alaric's surprise was palpable, mirroring her own astonishment. Why did I even say that? As regret washed over her, he raised her chin, locking his deep, dark eyes onto hers. His expression shifted, narrowing with an intensity akin to a hawk spotting its prey. "Are you jealous of her?" he asked, his tone probing and sharp. Victoria's brows knitted together, an anxious flutter grasping her heart as she instinctively aimed to shove his hand away. "What nonsense are you talking about?" she shot back, but her attempt was feeble. Her hands lacked the strength to push him away effectively, and as she tried, it felt more like a half-hearted gesture. His amused eyebrow arched at her weakness, and he held her wrist firmly but gently. "Are you this frail?" "You're the weak one!" Victoria retorted, trying to retract her hand with too much force. She stumbled backward onto the couch, the realization dawning on her—she really was too weak. Alaric stood watching her, a complex blend of emotions playing on his face. After a moment's contemplation, he walked toward the restroom, filled a plastic basin with cold water, and returned with a towel, placing them both on the chair beside her. Soaking the towel, he wrung it out with purpose and approached her with it. "What are you doing?" Victoria protested as he drew near. Instinctively, she shifted away, but he clasped her shoulder, his brow knitted in concern. "Stay still; I'm here to cool you down." Though she felt an initial surge of resistance, the chill of the towel pressed against her skin was undeniable, sending a shiver of relief through her. Perhaps this cooling sensation was what she needed after all... With a reluctant surrender, she allowed him to proceed. Alaric wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead, then gently traced down her cheeks. As he worked, a soft smile crept onto his lips. "Victoria, you're truly something else." Her eyelids fluttered in surprise. "What do you mean?" His gaze deepened, glimmering like obsidian. "What are you acting dumb for? This is my first time doing something like this for someone else, so you’d better believe you’re something special." In one swift motion, Alaric moved from her shoulder to her collar, tugging it aside to reveal her pale skin. He slipped the damp towel beneath, and Victoria's heart raced. “What are you doing?” She clutched his hand instinctively. "I'm helping you cool down," he declared matter-of-factly. A surge of anxiety and embarrassment flushed through her as she readjusted her collar. "No, I'm perfectly capable of doing it myself." His frown deepened, disappointment etched across his face. "Why are you upset with me?" His hand lingered above her chest, the towel poised dangerously close. The thought of someone witnessing this moment sent a wave of self-consciousness crashing over her. "I’m not upset! I just can manage," she insisted, her voice sharper than intended. But his gaze remained unsettlingly steady, concern swirling within it. "Are you—" Suddenly, a loud crash resonated from outside the door, interrupting them. Both Alaric and Victoria turned to see Claudia hastily gathering scattered items off the floor. Alaric's hand froze in mid-air before he withdrew it, adopting an expressionless mask. Victoria lay on the couch, suppressing a small smirk at the absurdity of the moment. Claudia hurried through the door, her demeanor composed, smiling gently as though nothing had occurred. "I dropped something," she explained, her voice sweet. "Did I startle you two?" Alaric pressed his lips together, about to respond when Claudia stepped closer, extending her hand toward him. "Let me take care of it." Without protest, he surrendered the damp towel to her. "Dominic filled me in on everything, so allow me to look after Victoria," she added warmly. "I promise I'll care for her well." Casting a last glance at Victoria, who lay on the couch like a discarded doll, he nodded and exited the room, closing the door behind him. Silence enveloped the space, punctuated only by Claudia's soft movements. She rinsed the towel once more, approaching Victoria with a kind smile. "Let me assist you with this. You’re clearly too weak to do it yourself." Victoria couldn't muster any objections, her body still weak. "Shouldn’t we call a nurse? I don’t want to impose." Claudia smiled gently, brushing off her concerns. "It’s absolutely no trouble. I can manage this far better than a nurse, and I'm comfortable with seeing you... well, undressed." With the situation now in motion, Victoria felt she had little choice but to acquiesce. Nodding with a forced smile, she closed her eyes tightly, willing herself to relax as Claudia began unbuttoning her clothes. As her eyes remained shut, she could sense Claudia’s scrutinizing gaze, and the intimate atmosphere shifted with palpable tension. Claudia’s expression soured slightly, a creeping realization dawning upon her. Had Alaric, just moments ago, reached for a towel to help Victoria in a manner that suggested familiarity? The gravity of their connection spilled into Claudia's thoughts: how had the dynamics changed so suddenly? What could have unfolded during her time away that she was yet to grasp? As she unfastened the final button, Claudia’s breath hitched. Underneath, Victoria's figure was strikingly beautiful, soft pink skin glowing against the contours of her physique. It was undeniable; despite being unconscious, she possessed an allure that even Claudia, a woman herself, couldn't help but admire. Biting her lip, Claudia whispered softly, "Thank you for all you’ve done for me over the years." Victoria, still lost in a haze of warmth and emerging coolness, opened her eyes to find Claudia's penetrating gaze on her. “Thank me?” she stammered. Claudia nodded earnestly. "Yes. While it may seem like Al married you out of convenience, I recognize the shielding he's gained from unwanted attention since he took on that role. There would have been countless annoying suitors if not for you." Victoria felt a jolt at the weight of Claudia's words. Was she truly being thanked or merely reminded of the superficiality of her status? Claudia's gratefulness felt laced with a cautionary undertone, nudging her to remember that she wasn’t genuinely Alaric’s wife; their union was a façade. Tightly pursing her lips, Victoria chose silence, letting Claudia continue wiping her down and helping her into fresh clothing. "Feeling any better? Would you like some water? I can get you a glass," Claudia asked tenderly. "Yes, please," Victoria replied, grateful for the offer. Claudia glided over to pour the water, and Victoria downed it in one go, relishing the relief it brought to her parched throat. As she glanced up at Claudia, her thoughts spilled forth. "You don't need to fret about Alaric and me. He values your status as his wife—you saved his life, and that kind of bond is irreplaceable. I won't forget the favor you did for me, either." Victoria's words hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken truths and the complex dynamics of their relationships. The underlying tension lingered, even as they tried to navigate their shared reality.