Chapter 95
Sweet Subterfuge
He seemed to be calling out for someone, and that name was exactly the same as her nickname.
Larissaâs heart rate accelerated.
She clutched her chest and straightened her body. âDonât overthink. Do not overthink-â
There were so many people in this world that shared the same name as her. Who knew which one of those people he was calling out for?
As if he were trapped in a nightmare, Kevanâs brows knitted even tighter, his expression becoming increasingly panicked.
âLari, donât go!â He almost shouted this with all of his remaining strength, his voice pitiful and desperate.
Larissa had never seen him look so fragile before. Suddenly, she felt a little sad for him as well, her heart wringing with pain.
Kevanâs arms emerged from below the covers and flailed about the bed. His fingers clenched and unclenched, as if he were trying to search for something around him.
Instinctively, Larissa reached out.
As soon as Kevanâs hands touched hers, he caught her arm and squeezed it, the mere force of it so strong that she thought he was about to break her fingers.
Larissa sucked in a breath, stifling the cry of pain that threatened to rise within her.
Kevan, however, had quietened. His brows relaxed gradually and his breathing changed from his initial shallow pants to long, drawnâout breaths.
Larissa sat against the headboard and wiped away the sweat on his face with a tissue.
Her emotions were all over the place, a mixture of fear and unease from the unknown dream he was having. but there was also that unmistakable satisfaction that filled her chest as he gradually became pacified.
The doorbell rang.
It must have been the doctor called in by the front desk.
Larissa attempted to remove her hands from his grip, but every time she shifted in the slightest, Kevanâs grip tightened.
âDonât go-â he murmured.
She tried a few more times, and she even forcefully tried to pull her arms away, but Kevan only fought harder.
The doorbell continued ringingâagain and again, its frequency more and more impatient.
Larissa was aggravated, but she could think of no way to handle the situation.
Suddenly, an idea flashed past her mind. She leaned closer and whispered in his ear, âIâm not leaving,â
âLiar-â Even if he was sleeping, he could still answer her.
Kevan scrunched his nose, his appearance downcast.
Larissaâs heart melted into a puddle.
She even found herself resenting the Lari heâd been calling for all this while.
Based on his actions, she must have hurt him very deeply.
âIâm not lying.â Larissaâs voice softened. âReally, Iâll just go get the door. Iâll be right back.â
Kevan lay unmoving, not saying a word.
âKevan-â she called out gently, the tone of her voice lifting at the end, like a girl coquettishly seeking his attention. âBe good, will you?â At some point, she even felt like she was coaxing a stubborn child to do as he was told.
Kevan pursed his lips before letting her go slowly.
Larissa was afraid that he would change his mind, so she sprinted out of the room immediately.
At the door, a doctor in a white coat stood.
During the long wait, heâd exhausted all of his patience, so when he was finally standing faceâtoâface with Larissa, his attitude was brittle.
âWhereâs the patient?â His voice was tense as he walked into the room without waiting for her to speak.
Larissa led him into Kevanâs bedroom.
âIâm so sorry, doctor. Heâd been causing such a fuss just now and I wasnât able to come and open the door for you.â She smiled apologetically as she spoke.
The doctor retrieved a thermometer from his first aid kit and instructed Larissa, âPlace this below his armpit.â
After Kevan had showered, heâd changed into a set of pajamas that were buttoned all the way up to his collar.
Larissa grumbled to herself, âHe doesnât even button up his shirt that tightly when heâs at workâwhy try to be so formal in his sleep?â
He really was a weirdo.
To take his temperature, she would have to unbutton his pajamas.
And yet, the minute Larissaâs fingers touched the first button, they were ferociously grabbed by Kevan.
He opened his eyes suddenly, frigidness filling their depths.
âGo away!â he bellowed.