Chapter 180
Alexander watched as Isabella sipped the warm water, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest of his wheelchair before he spoke. “Ms. Sinclair, if you’re hungry, I can have the chef prepare something light for you.”
Isabella shook her head, her fingers tightening slightly around the cup. “I don’t think I can stomach anything right now. Just water for now, thank you.”
The attention was unfamiliar, wrapping around her like an unexpected embrace—something she wasn’t used to, yet couldn’t bring herself to push away. Normally, she endured pain in silence, retreating into herself, never expecting anyone’s concern.
When she had been married to Ethan, even if she collapsed from exhaustion, he wouldn’t spare her a second glance. Worse, he’d accuse her of exaggerating for attention.
Her throat tightened as she forced a small smile. “I’m feeling better now, though. Maybe it was just exhaustion from the trip.” She hesitated before adding, “Thank you for looking after me.”
Then, as if remembering something, she frowned. “How long have we been back from the sea?”
“Two days,” Alexander replied smoothly, though he didn’t mention how he had barely left her side, watching over her as her fever raged. “You were unconscious the entire time. The fever finally broke last night.” His tone shifted, lighter now. “The kitchen made some congee for you. It’s plain, but it should help settle your stomach.”
Isabella shifted slightly, the weight of his gaze making her skin prickle. “I’m not picky. That sounds fine.”
Her mind reeled. Two days? She prided herself on her sharp instincts, always alert in unfamiliar situations. Yet she had slept beside Alexander for two full days without stirring. Had the fever really been that severe, or… had she let her guard down around him?
She exhaled slowly. “What happened with the Mafia?”
“Dominic handled it,” Alexander said coolly, omitting the gruesome details of how the thugs had met their end. “The police believe it was an internal dispute. No one’s looking our way. We’re just innocent bystanders.”
Isabella nodded. She wasn’t naive—she knew the police weren’t easily fooled. The Kingsley family’s influence had clearly been at play. But there was no need to voice it; they both understood the game.
“With you handling things, I’m not surprised everything was resolved so smoothly,” she murmured, offering him a faint smile. “Thank you for taking care of me. Though a fever really isn’t anything serious—”
Alexander cut her off, his voice firm. “Your health matters to me. Even something small.”
His words caught her off guard. She glanced up, noticing the exhaustion etched into his features—the shadows beneath his eyes, the tension in his shoulders. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.
“And I should be thanking you,” he added, his voice quieter now. He adjusted the pillow behind her, his fingers brushing lightly against her back. “What you need now is rest.”
The sincerity in his tone made her look away, unsure how to respond. “Alright,” she murmured.
“You’re still weak,” he continued. “Stay here until you’ve fully recovered. My private physician can monitor you. If you go back to Muisvedo now, you won’t get the care you need.”
His mind flickered to her nearly empty fridge, stocked with nothing but instant meals. He doubted she’d take proper care of herself.
“That’s really not necessary,” Isabella said automatically.
“It’s no trouble,” Alexander insisted. “Your health comes first.” He paused, then added, “Amelia… she was worried about you on the yacht. Seeing you helped calm her. If you leave now, it might upset her again.” His expression softened slightly. “And I know you care about her too.”
Isabella hesitated. He wasn’t wrong. With everything that had happened, staying was the safer option.
“Alright,” she relented, her voice quiet but firm. “Thank you, Mr. Kingsley.”
But inwardly, she knew this wasn’t just about rest. This was an opportunity—a chance to learn more about the Kingsley family. After the incident at the nursing home with Cassandra, they would likely move her again.
Information was power. And Isabella intended to gather as much of it as she could.
