Chapter 39

Christina smoothed a gentle hand over Chloe's hair and offered a reassuring smile. "I can't stay,sweetheart. There are a few things I still need to take care of, and it's just not convenient."

Chloe's eyes sparkled with hope. "Why don't you let Dylan drive you around every day?" she responded, her voice soft and eager.

Chloe felt a natural warmth toward Christina even though they'd only known each other briefly. She already saw Christina and Dylan as the perfect pair, quietly rooting for them to become something more.

Christina's laughter was light, her eyes crinkling kindly. "Dylan's got his hands full these days. I'd feel terrible taking up his time," she commented,squeezing Chloe's hand in gentle affection.

Noticing how Chloe all but glued herself to Christina's side, Dylan finally stepped forward,shaking his head with a rueful smile as he gently pried Chloe off. "Easy there. Don't hang on her like that-she had a rough night, remember?"

At his reminder, Chloe's expression shifted instantly. She backed away, guilt etched across her features. "Sorry, Christina," she mumbled,sounding just like a child who'd been gently scolded.

Christina waved it off with a smile. "It's nothing-just a tiny scratch, honestly," she remarked, her voice warm and steady.

Seeing Chloe's disappointed look, Christina added, "Tell you what. I'll come visit whenever l can,okay?"

Christina planned to check on Chloe's recovery during every visit after she brought over the medicine that would help speed up Chloe's healing. Once Chloe was stronger and her immune system bounced back, she'd finally be ready for her surgery.

Chloe's whole face lit up, her eyes shining with delight. "Really? You have to promise you won't lie to me,okay?"

Christina couldn't help but smile resignedly. "I swear.I won't lie to you."

At that, Chloe finally relaxed and personally walked Christina and Dylan to the door.

During the ride, Dylan contemplated for a bit and then broke the silence. "Chloe can be a little blunt. Don't take her words too seriously-she just likes you a lot. Sometimes she gets ahead of herself because she cares."

Concerned that Christina might be angry, he offered a gentle apology in place of Chloe.

Christina gave a soft laugh, her tone warm and easy. "Don't sweat over it. I think she's sweet-and honestly, I was just joking with her so she wouldn't get down about being sick."

Her lighthearted tone caught Dylan off guard.For a moment, a subtle disappointment flickered in his chest. She really didn't seem bothered by Chloe's words of urging them together at all.

"If King reaches out, I'll let you know right away,"Christina offered.

Dylan answered with a subtle nod, "Thanks, I appreciate it."

She shrugged, radiating unshakeable calm. "It's nothing. It's what we agreed on, after all."

An uneasy flicker of irritation stirred beneath Dylan's composed exterior, though he struggled

to pinpoint its source. Was it her effortless detachment that unsettled him?

He glanced over, the usual chill in his gaze giving way to a flash of something softer-something he couldn't quite name.

Right at that instant, Christina sat in silence, eyes fixed on the scenery slipping past her window-each tree and building blurring into a gentle watercolor of light and motion.

Dylan, however, couuldn't look away from her.Sunlight drifted in, catching the fine strands of her hair and setting them aglow. For a moment,she looked ethereal, as if the daylight itself had chosen her as its muse.

He lingered on the shape of her profile, dazzled,until she turned suddenly.

Their gazes collided, a quiet electricity pulsing in the air between them.

In the glow of her clear, vibrant gaze, Dylan felt like he was staring into a mirror. Flustered, he cleared his throat, his composure slipped right back in, and his tone was guarded as he asked,"Are we going to your place, or..."

Christina snapped out of her thoughts and smiled

to ease the awkwardness. "Just drop me at the hospital. I need to see someone."

"Sure." Dylan's attention shifted to the road ahead,but his heart thudded unevenly in his chest.

Christina faced the window once more, outwardly composed, though her emotions were far from settled. A strange feeling was spreading through her chest. Was she actually developing feelings for Dylan? That was utterly ridiculous. She banished the thought as soon as it arose.

When they finally reached the hospital, Christina quietly thanked him, unfastened her seatbelt, and slipped out of the car.

Unbeknownst to either of them, in a darkened corner of the lot, a figure lingered-quietly raising a phone to capture the parting moment, hidden from view.