chapter286

Mila felt the heat rise to her cheeks as she tried to maintain a composed expression. "He was ill," she explained, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest. "His clothes were soaked through with sweat. I was simply making him comfortable."

Phoebe’s eyes twinkled with a mischievous glint. "Oh? Is that all?"

"Yes, obviously," Mila countered, though her heartbeat betrayed her. "Besides, we were married for six months. It isn't as if his presence is a novelty to me."

Phoebe’s expression shifted to one of genuine curiosity. "Mila, you lived with him for half a year after losing your memory. Did you two... ever truly bridge that gap? You know, in the way a husband and wife do?" She gestured suggestively, a playful smirk on her face.

Mila’s blush deepened into a crimson hue. "What is on your mind? No, we haven't. Our relationship was built on a different kind of foundation."

Phoebe looked toward the bed, where Nathan lay perfectly still, in disbelief. "Really? A man like that... and he never made a move? Is he truly that disciplined, or is there something else at play?"

Nathan, who was merely feigning sleep, felt a surge of internal turmoil at the remark. Despite his outward stillness, his mind was far from quiet. Mila, unaware of his wakefulness, stood her ground. She knew that Nathan’s restraint wasn't a lack of desire, but a profound respect for her boundaries.

"Enough with the nonsense," Mila said, gently ushering Phoebe toward the door. "I need to look after him. You focus on finding the cause of Grandpa’s sudden illness. That is the priority."

"All right, be careful," Phoebe whispered. "Don't let anyone discover he’s here."

Once the door was locked, Mila leaned against it and took a long, stabilizing breath. When she finally turned back to the room, she was startled to find Nathan sitting up, his hand pressed against his forehead. The dim light highlighted the faint scars on his shoulders—reminders of the many battles he had fought.

Mila walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. "Nate? You're awake. How are you feeling?"

Nathan shook his head slowly, the atmosphere in the room suddenly feeling heavy and charged. Mila reached for the blanket, trying to wrap it around his shoulders to ward off the chill. "Keep yourself covered. You can't afford to catch a cold on top of everything else."

As she leaned in to tuck the fabric around him, their eyes met. The world outside, with its driving rain and dangerous secrets, seemed to vanish. In Nathan’s gaze, Mila saw a simmering passion; in hers, he found a tenderness that reached past his defenses.

"Yesterday, your fever was quite high," Mila explained softly, her ears burning. "I helped you change and made sure you were dry. I didn't... I wasn't being improper."

Nathan offered a faint, tired smile and a low hum of acknowledgement.

"When the rain lets up, I'll arrange for some clothes," Mila continued, trying to regain her professional footing. "But you can't stay here indefinitely. You need to move to a safer location once you're strong enough."

Nathan’s voice was hoarse as he looked at her. "Do you think moving back into this house is enough to protect your grandparents? Have you considered the danger you're in if your true identity is uncovered by the wrong people?"

"I have," Mila said firmly.

"Then why take the risk?"

Mila leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper that was meant only for him. "Nate, they are my family. I can't stand by while they are targeted." She moved even closer, her breath warm against his ear. "And there’s more. I believe my parents might still be alive. The woman posing as Sally Hoffis moved in just a month after my accident. She’s been using video calls with my parents and Oliver to keep my grandparents in the dark. This goes deeper than we ever imagined