Chapter 1728

Karina’s heart raced, and she quickly blurted, “Dr. Wilfred, you don’t need to trouble yourself. I can handle the room situation.”
Wilfred waved her off with a casual motion. “You’ve had a long day. Get some rest. I’ll take care of it.”
Stepping into the room, Karina’s gaze fell on the two twin beds. Her emotions swirled in a complicated mix-gratitude for Wilfred’s kindness and crushing guilt over what she was about to do.
She sat down at the edge of one bed, hands twisting nervously in her lap, her thoughts spiraling into a tangled mess.
Not long after, Wilfred returned, a hint of exasperation on his otherwise calm face. “No luck. Every nearby hotel is fully booked. We’ll have to make do for tonight. Don’t overthink it. It’s just a special situation.” Karina nodded weakly, her voice barely audible. “Alright, Dr. Wilfred.”
While Wilfred disappeared into the bathroom to shower, Karina’s gaze drifted toward the water kettle on the table. Instinctively, her hand slipped into her pocket, feeling the small, cold packet of powder.
Her heart pounded violently, beads of sweat forming along her hairline. This was the perfect opportunity.
Her fingers clenched around the packet, knuckles turning white from the pressure. Trembling, she slowly rose to her feet and walked toward the table, feigning nonchalance.
She picked up the kettle, her hands shaking so hard she nearly spilled it. With painstaking care, she tore open the packet and poured the powder into one of the cups. The soft hiss of water masked the sound as she stirred it quickly, watching the powder dissolve. Just as she set the cup back down, Wilfred emerged from the bathroom.
He was dressed in nothing but a loose bathrobe, his damp hair falling in careless strands across his forehead. Droplets of water slid along the sharp angles of his face, tracing the path down to his collarbone before disappearing beneath the fabric of his robe. Karina’s breath hitched. She instinctively looked away, her face flushing crimson. Yet, despite herself, her gaze flickered back, stealing a glance before she hurriedly dropped her eyes again.
Wilfred, seemingly unaware of her awkwardness, rubbed his towel through his hair as he approached. His deep, mellow voice broke the silence. “What were you thinking about just now?” Karina stumbled over her words, her voice trembling slightly. “N-nothing, Dr. Wilfred. You should have some water.”
Her hands twisted nervously in her lap, betraying her unease.
Wilfred reached for the very cup she had tampered with.
Karina’s breath caught in her throat, her gaze locked on the water cup in Wilfred’s hand. It felt as though something was lodged in her chest. She wanted to say something, to stop him, but the words wouldn’t Come.
As Wilfred raised the cup to his lips, Karina’s heart nearly stopped. Her mind went completely blank, and all she could do was watch, paralyzed.
But Wilfred only took a small sip before pausing, his brows furrowing. “This water tastes… odd.”
Karina’s stomach dropped, and her face turned pale as a sheet. Forcing a weak smile, she stammered, “Maybe it’s the local water. It’s probably just a bit different from what we’re used to.”
Wilfred glanced at her, his sharp gaze lingering for a moment, as though trying to read her. But he said nothing more, setting the cup back on the table.
The silence that followed was
vel?
deafening. The air in the room seemed to thicken, and Karina’s thundering heartbeat echoed in her ears. She didn’t dare look up, terrified that her expression would betray her.
Wilfred slowly stepped closer to Karina, the subtle scent of his body wash mingling with his own natural scent, wrapping around her like an invisible cloud.
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