CHAPTER FOUR
Elena didn't feel well.
It started as a headache in the morning. Nothing serious. Just pressure behind her eyes. But by noon, her body felt heavy. Her hands were cold, her skin hot. Still, she didn't say anything.
She didn't want to look weak.
Aiden had left early. Meetings, calls, more things that didn't include her.So she made tea. She sat by the window with a book she couldn't focus on. The words swam on the page. Her head throbbed. Her stomach turned.
She told herself it would pass.
But it didn't.
By the time the sun began to set, her legs felt shaky. She stood too fast—and the world tilted.
The next thing she knew, she was on the floor.
---
The door opened sometime later.
Aiden walked in, already pulling off his jacket, phone still pressed to his ear. "Yes, I'll look at the numbers in the morning," he said. "Tell them not to move until I—"He stopped.
The phone dropped from his ear.
"Elena?"
She was on the ground near the couch, curled up, one arm over her eyes like the light was too much.
He was beside her in seconds.
"Elena."he called again and she still didn't respond.
He touched her shoulder. She flinched.
Her skin was burning and she looked pale
"Damn it." He swore loudly.
He stood and grabbed his phone again. "Get the doctor. Now," he snapped, then hung up before they could respond.
He came back to her, crouched down, lifted her gently. She was half-conscious, too weak to speak.
He carried her to the bedroom.
Laid her on the bed.
Pulled the blankets up. Sat on the edge, looking at her face—pale, lips dry, cheeks flushed with fever.
For a moment, he just stared.
She looked small. Nothing like the quiet girl who had stood tall in front of cameras. Nothing like Isabella.
She looked… human. And pretty even in sickness.
Vulnerable.
The doctor arrived fast. Diagnosed and found she has low fever. Dehydration and Probably stress.
"She needs rest, fluids, food," the doctor said. "No major concern. Just watch her closely tonight."
Aiden nodded once.
When the doctor left, the room was quiet again.
He stayed.
He didn't know why and he really didn't want to find out why
He could've gone to his office. Or made a call. Or pretended he didn't care.But instead, he sat in the chair by her bed.
He watched her breathe.
---
An hour passed.
Then two.
Around midnight, she stirred.Her eyes blinked open slowly.She looked confused.
"Aiden?" her voice was barely a whisper.
He leaned forward. "You fainted." He answered in a whisper seeing the confusion on her face.
"I… didn't mean to."
"I figured."
She tried to sit up. He stopped her with a hand on her arm—gentle, firm.
"Don't." he said authoritatively and she just couldn't say no to that tone.She let out a breath. "I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?"
"I'm not supposed to cause trouble."
"You didn't." He said fast and reassuring
She looked at him, surprised.
He sighed, looked away.
"You're not a burden," he said, like the words hurt to say.
She blinked again. "You stayed."
"I had work here," he said quickly,looking away from her too fast,like it hurt to look at her.
She almost smiled. Almost."Thank you," she whispered.
He didn't answer.
He stood, picked up a glass of water from the nightstand, and held it out.She took it with both hands, sipping slowly.
He watched her. Quiet.
When she was done, she handed it back.
"I'll be fine tomorrow."She said to break the silence
"Don't rush it," he said, more gently than he meant to.
She looked at him again.
This time, really looked.There was no anger in his face.No coldness.Just something quiet.Something unsure.
They stared at each other for a long second.Then she looked away.
He was intense. She thought
"Goodnight, Aiden."
He hesitated."Goodnight, Elena."
He walked to the door but paused halfway. Looked back once more and then he turned off the light and left the door slightly open.
She lay there in the dark, staring at the ceiling.
Something had shifted,she didn't know what.
But he stayed and that meant something.
Maybe not love.
But not hate either.
And that was enough for tonight.