Chapter 180

Kellan watched Allison sip her warm water, then hesitated before offering, "Ms. Clarke, if you're hungry, I can have something prepared for you."

Allison shook her head gently. "I'm not feeling up to eating right now. I'll stick to water and see how I feel later."

Unaccustomed to this level of care, Allison felt enveloped in a comforting warmth—something foreign, yet not unpleasant. Normally, she dealt with pain alone, retreating inward, never expecting anyone's concern. With Colton, even when she fainted from a fever, he hadn't even glanced at her; worse, he'd mocked her, accusing her of faking illness for sympathy.

Her throat felt dry, but she looked up with a small smile. "Actually, I'm feeling much better now. Maybe I'm just a bit weak from sleeping so long. But thank you for looking after me."

Then, as if a thought struck her, she asked, "When did we come back from the sea?"

"Two days ago," Kellan replied smoothly, withholding the detail of his anxious vigil. "You've been asleep for two full days. Your fever finally broke last night. It's good you're awake." His tone became more casual. "The kitchen made some porridge for you. Whenever you're ready, you can try a bit—see if it sits well. I can't promise it's anything special, but it should help."

Allison shifted, feeling awkward under his care. "I'm not picky. That sounds fine." She still couldn't believe two days had passed. Her mind remained fixed on the night aboard the yacht. Usually, her senses were sharp, always on high alert in unfamiliar situations. The fact that she'd slept beside Kellan for two days left her unsettled. Maybe it had been the fever, or maybe… something else. She frowned, her thoughts drifting.

"What happened with the Mafia?"

"Ferdinand took care of it," Kellan said coolly, omitting his brutal method. "The police think it was just a case of thieves turning on each other. No one's looking our way. We're just some innocent survivors."

Allison nodded. Deep down, she knew the police weren't easily misled. The Lloyd family's influence must have been involved, but there was no need to say it aloud; they both understood the game.

"With you handling it, I'm not surprised everything's in order," she said, offering a faint smile. "Thank you so much for taking care of me."

"But a fever is just a minor issue…" Kellan interrupted, meeting her gaze. "Your health is important to me. Even something as small as a fever matters." His deep eyes were captivating. His words caught her off guard. She glanced at his face, noticing the exhaustion etched in his features—the dark circles under his eyes, the weariness in his posture. It almost looked like he had been bedridden for days.

"And I should be the one thanking you," Kellan added, his voice low and steady. He reached behind her, adjusting a pillow. "What you need now is rest."

The earnestness in his tone made her look away, unsure how to respond.

"Alright," she murmured.

"You're still weak, and it's better if you don't push yourself. Why not stay here until you're fully recovered? My private doctor can monitor you, make sure everything's fine. If you go back to Muisvedo now, you won't get the care you need." Kellan's mind briefly wandered to her nearly empty fridge, stocked only with unhealthy snacks. He doubted she'd take proper care of herself.

"That's really not necessary," Allison replied instinctively.

"It's no trouble," Kellan insisted, shaking his head. "Your health comes first. Besides, I…" He paused, then rephrased, avoiding a potentially off-putting confession. "Lorna… she was really worried about you on the plane. You made her feel better just by being there. If you leave now, it might upset her again." His eyes softened. "And I know you care about her too."

Allison hesitated. Kellan had a point. Staying might be the safer, more convenient option.

"Alright," she relented, her voice quiet but resolute. "Thank you, Mr. Lloyd."

But inwardly, Allison knew this wasn't just about rest. She saw an opportunity—a chance to learn more about the Lloyd family. After the incident at the nursing home with Kinslee, they would likely move the elders again. Information was power, and Allison intended to gather as much as possible.