Chapter 311

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Aria couldn’t find any toiletries in the quest bathroom . After a moment’s thought , the headed to his en suite . As she stepped invade se traked a
-only then did she notice the floor was slick with water , and a faint scent of shower gel lingered in the atr
She was certain of one thing Owen
had just showered .
As soon as Aria saw Owen , the question that had been on her mind slipped out before she could stop herself .
Owen had only wanted to spend some quality time with Aria and get closer he never expected they’d end up at the clinic together .
Now , Aria realized Owen had deliberately showered despite his high fever .
Her opinion of him definitely took a nosedive .
Owen instinctively pressed his lips together . His face , caught in the light , froze for a moment – a flicker of awkwardness crossing it . He said , trying to sound casual , “ I heard showers could help bring down a fever , so I tried it … But I guess it just made things worse .”
Owen glanced at her , wondering to himself if she’d actually buy this excuse .
“ Ah , I see ,” Aria said mildly , her tone deceptively neutral .
Owen breathed an inward sigh of relief . Scooping up a spoonful of steaming soup , he blew on it twice before bringing it to his lips .
Just as Owen was about to swallow his soup , Aria suddenly teased , “ Honestly , I almost thought you were faking it just so I’d have to take care of you . ”
Caught completely off guard , Owen choked on his soup . He broke into a fit of coughing , tears streaming from his eyes .
Seeing this , Aria hurriedly took the bowl from Owen’s hands and quickly pressed a few tissues to his mouth . “ I was just kidding ! Why are you so jumpy ? ”
Owen was seized by a violent coughing fit , his body convulsing with each hacking cough .
Owen wanted to speak , but the coughing wracked his body uncontrollably . He kept the tissue pressed to his mouth , and the IV needle in the back of his hand trembled violently with every spasm .
Aria’s eyes widened in alarm at the sight . Instinctively , she grabbed a handful of tissues and clamped them over his mouth .
Her movements were swift and forceful .
Owen was so startled that his coughing miraculously stopped .
Owen slowly raised his head , his gaze locking with hers once more .
“ You stopped coughing ? ” Aria asked .
His throat still tickled , but Owen suppressed the urge to cough and shook his head . “ I’m fine , ” he said hoarsely .
His face was an unnatural shade of red from coughing . When he spoke , he avoided her gaze , looking distinctly sheepish .
Aria’s gaze deepened thoughtfully as she picked up the glass of warm water from the table and handed it to him . “ Take it easy , ” she said gently .
Owen took the water and sipped it slowly . Finally , his sore throat felt better .
Too sheepish to meet her gaze , Owen didn’t notice that Aria was watching the rhythmic bob of his Adam’s apple .
Aria couldn’t help but notice the veins along his neck , standing out clearly as he swallowed . With each movement , they pulsed ever so slightly , disappearing beneath the collar of his shirt and hinting at the chest hidden underneath .
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Aria instantly snapped out of her daze and quickly averted her gaze , het ears burning with embarrassment :
For a split second , she actually thought , ‘ Wow , Owen looks … kind of irresistible . Am I losing my mind ? ”
After Owen finished the water , Aria took the glass from him , raised the bedside tray table , and set the bowl of soup in front of him . Here , have some to settle your stomach first , ” she said .
It was the chicken noodle soup she’d made herself .
Owen smiled and nodded . “ Alright . ”
With his left hand – the one connected to the IV – resting on the
Owen used his right to slowly savor the soup , relishing this brief , peaceful moment .
Aria had cooked just enough soup for one , Watching Owen finish every last bite , a gentle sense of lightness rose in her heart .
Feeling comfortably full and content , Owen asked , “ Have you eaten yet ? ”
“ Yeah , ” Aria replied .
Owen nodded as he lay back on the clinic bed . Thinking of Hannah’s situation , he said , “ The Gibson family will probably hire a defense attorney for her .
myself . ”
should be able to go back to the firm tomorrow – I’ll take charge of b
After a brief pause , he went on , “ Also , regarding the Gibson family’s previous hiring of paid trolls – since they caused damage to your reputation , we’ll pursue legal action for that as well . ”
Aria studied him . “ With how you are right now , you really should take another day to rest .”
Owen shook his head . “ I should be fine by the day after tomorrow . ”
Owen kinda regretted taking that extra shower – and now he was ‘ forced ‘ to
come
to
the clinic .
Owen knew Aria wouldn’t get proper rest if she stayed there .
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