"A safe house," Lily replied deliberately, keeping Alexander in suspense. Only a few people knew she studied medicine with Dominic. She had no intention of hiding this from Alexander, but didn't feel the need to mention it now.

"A safe house?" Alexander looked at her intently, then smiled. "Are you hiding something from me?"

"What's wrong? If you can have a safe house, why can't I?" She raised her head, surveying the secret underground room. Aside from the dim light, everything seemed pleasant; it wasn't even stuffy.

"There's a ventilation system that circulates outside air," Alexander explained, as if reading her mind. "That's why it's not stuffy, despite being underground. We can't do much about the lighting, though. A little darkness is a small price to pay for safety."

"True," Lily nodded. "By the way, I saw news reports about chest tightness and loss of taste among those infected. Do you have those symptoms?"

Alexander shook his head. "My sense of smell was impaired at first, but after sniffing the sachet you gave me, I feel much better. I use it whenever I feel discomfort. It really helps."

"Sachet?" She was slightly surprised.

"Yeah!" He nodded, producing a crumpled sachet from his pocket.

It was the one Lily had filled with medicinal herbs before his departure—herbs to soothe nerves and protect the lungs. Knowing the heat and humidity in Burnwken, she'd given it to him to aid his sleep. She hadn't expected it to help with the plague symptoms.

"It's getting late. You should go back. It gets dark quickly out here," Alexander said, checking the time.

"I'm not going back!" Lily exclaimed, setting the sachet down.

Alexander was speechless. Before he could respond, she continued, "I brought herbs from my car. This place is big enough for both of us. Don't send me away. I want to stay here, and we can go back together!"

"But you have so much to attend to," he replied helplessly.

"I have things to handle in Kingsland—our house, the studio—but nothing's more important than your health! I'll stay here until you recover. Then we'll pick up our son and go home together!"

"Lily..."

As soon as he spoke, she interrupted, "Alexander, listen! You have subordinates to manage company affairs, so I don't need to worry. My studio work is minimal; I've turned everything down. Besides..."

She paused. "I can no longer be involved with the laboratory. You must get better. I need you. Our son needs you. Your whole family needs you!" She clearly had a plan, and she'd come to persuade him. And persuade him she did.

Although in Burnwken, he knew some of what was happening at home. Moreover, his recovery would contribute to combating this plague.

"Okay," he finally nodded.

Lily visibly relaxed. 'The priority is helping him recover,' she thought. 'What virus strain caused this plague? Is it truly connected to the laboratory?'