Eva paused for a moment, her mind racing after Adrian's pointed observation—that he deemed her pretentious. A wry smile curled at the corners of her lips, but internally, she bristled. “I am certainly not as understanding as your Vivian.” The words tumbled from her lips before she could grapple with them. Adrian's expression shifted, a mix of surprise and intrigue mingling in his eyes. Eva felt a rush of panic—what had she just revealed? Before she could retract her statement, Adrian’s hand found her chin, tilting her face upwards unexpectedly. She was disarmed by his intense gaze, the depth of his dark eyes piercing through her defenses. “Are you jealous of her?” he asked, his tone steady yet probing. At this, a twitch of annoyance crossed Eva's brow. “What nonsense are you talking about?” She tried to swat his hand away, feeling a flutter of guilt gnawing at her, but in her flustered state, lost her balance, toppling back onto the sofa. Weakness engulfed her; she couldn't muster the energy to rise. Adrian's expression shifted from curiosity to something complex, as he assessed her in silence. “Stay put,” he instructed quietly, then strode to the bathroom. When he returned, he brought with him a plastic basin filled with water and a towel, which he placed carefully on the chair beside her. He soaked the towel in cold water, wrung it out skillfully, and approached her with purpose. “What are you doing?” Panic surged within Eva, and instinctively, she recoiled. “Don’t move,” he said firmly, gripping her shoulder, concern etching across his handsome features. “I’m trying to cool you down.” Eva's mind raced as she wished to protest, yet the moment the chilly cloth made contact with her feverish skin, it rendered her defiance useless. The refreshing sensation spread through her, calming the heat that had clouded her thoughts. Perhaps it was just physical—nothing more. With this rationale, she relented, allowing him to continue. Adrian began wiping her brow, then her cheeks, his touch surprisingly gentle. A hint of mischief flickered across his lips as he murmured, “Eva, you’ve been giving me headaches since we were kids.” Her eyelid twitched at his unexpected comment. “What did you say?” His rich, dark eyes narrowed, sparkling with bemusement. “Why pretend innocence? This is the first time I’ve cared for someone like this, and you, per usual, remain obstinately uncooperative, which vexes me deeply.” As his fingers drifted, he opened her collar to reveal a patch of pale skin, the damp towel boldly moving inward. A wave of heat rushed to Eva's cheeks, and she instinctively pressed down on his hand. “What on earth are you doing?” “I’m wiping inside,” he replied, feigning innocence. “I can do it myself!” she exclaimed, her voice catching, the anxiety bubbling within her propelling her to pull her collar back into place. Adrian's frown deepened, his hand refusing to retreat. “Why resist? Are you—” A sudden loud crash interrupted their moment, both of them turning towards the door. Vivian burst in, flustered as she scrambled to gather the scattered items she had dropped. Adrian's hand halted mid-motion, and his expression hardened into stoic neutrality. Eva couldn't suppress a sly smile as she watched Vivian meticulously assemble her belongings, the tension in the room palpable. Vivian finally stood, her demeanor bright yet unaware of the charged air that clung to them. “Oh dear, my apologies! I didn’t mean to intrude. I hope I didn’t startle you?” Adrian’s lips pursed into a line, an unspoken thought hanging on the tip of his tongue. But before he could voice it, Vivian stepped forward, her hand outstretched. “Let me take care of this.” Resigned, Adrian surrendered the damp towel to her. “You can handle it, Vivian. I trust you’ll look after Eva,” he conceded, casting one last glance at Eva, who lay motionless, before slipping out of the room. The door clicked shut behind him, and an eerie silence enveloped the space. Vivian then took the towel, rinsed it again, and approached Eva with a soft smile. “Shall I help you wipe down?” “No, I’d rather you call a nurse. I don’t want to be a burden,” Eva replied, feeling a twinge of discomfort as the boundaries blurred. Vivian chuckled lightly, “It’s no trouble at all. Can a nurse be as attentive as I? Besides, I assure you, I don’t mind seeing... everything.” Left with little choice, Eva acquiesced, albeit reluctantly. As Vivian began unbuttoning her clothing, Eva squeezed her eyes shut, hoping to deflect the awkwardness that filled the air. Vivian, however, couldn’t suppress her scrutiny, her thoughts lingering on the earlier incident. Had Adrian truly been so bold? Their interaction had been unmistakably intimate. A sense of unease pricked at her heart—what had transpired between them while she was away? With a hint of necessity, she leaned in closer, her voice dropping. “Actually, I owe you my thanks.” Eva opened her eyes, meeting Vivian’s gaze curiously. “Thank me?” “Yes,” Vivian affirmed, her smile faltering slightly. “Although it seemed like your fake marriage was merely a safety net for you, I know it shielded Adrian from unwanted attention. I’m sincerely grateful. I’d find it rather troublesome to return only to discover him surrounded by admirers.” Eva stiffened at the underlying implications woven within Vivian's gratitude, understanding the unspoken warnings nestled within her words. The fake marriage—that reminder lingered heavily between them. Silently, Eva pressed her lips together, resisting the urge to retort. Vivian continued to gently wipe her down before carefully buttoning her clothes back up and assisting her into a sitting position. She then poured a glass of water, offering it with a gentle smile. “Have some water.” Gratefully, Eva drank, the cool liquid soothing her parched throat. Looking up, she felt a surge of determination to express the reassurance she intended to convey. “You don’t have to worry about Adrian having feelings for me. His heart will always belong to you. After all, you’ve been his savior, the one person he’ll never forget. And I remember your kindness too. I won’t forget that.”