Ryan drove through the quiet night roads, his hands tight on the steering wheel.

Aria lay weakly in the passenger seat, her breathing uneven. Every now and then she shifted slightly, her face flushed, her body still reacting to the drug in her system.

Ryan glanced at her for a moment before looking back at the road.

“Just hold on…” he murmured under his breath.

The drive felt longer than usual.

Finally, the gates of his mansion opened and the car rolled inside. Ryan stopped the car quickly and stepped out.

He opened the passenger door and carefully lifted Aria into his arms.

She felt light.

Too light.

Her head rested weakly against his chest as he carried her inside the quiet house. The servants had already gone to their quarters, leaving the mansion silent.

Ryan walked straight upstairs and pushed open the door to his room.

He placed Aria gently on the bed.

For a moment he just stood there, staring at her.

Her cheeks were still red, her breathing uneven.

He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.

“What am I supposed to do with you…” he muttered quietly.

The doctor’s words echoed in his mind.

Ryan clenched his jaw.

He needed to calm her body first.

He quickly went to the bathroom and filled the large bathtub with cool water. Once it was ready, he returned to the bed.

Aria stirred weakly when he lifted her again.

Her fingers clutched his shirt slightly as if she needed his support.

Ryan carefully removed her clothes and wrapped a towel around her before carrying her to the bathroom.

He gently placed her into the bathtub filled with water.

The cool water touched her skin and she gasped softly, her body trembling slightly.

Ryan knelt beside the tub, watching her carefully to make sure she didn’t slip.

For a moment, everything was quiet.

Then suddenly—

Aria lifted her head.

Her eyes were half-open, unfocused.

Before Ryan could react, her hands reached out and grabbed his collar.

She pulled him closer and pressed her lips against his.

Ryan froze.

Completely caught off guard.

For a second he didn’t move.

But then something inside him broke.

He had been holding himself back all night.

And he loved her.

Ryan’s hand moved to the side of the tub as he leaned closer, returning the kiss.

It started slow.

Careful.

But Aria clung to him like she needed him to breathe.

Their lips met again and again, the quiet bathroom filled only with the sound of their breathing and the soft movement of water in the tub.

Ryan finally pulled back slightly, resting his forehead against hers.

His voice came out low.

“Aria…”

But she only looked at him with those hazy eyes, still weak, still leaning toward him like he was the only thing keeping her steady.

And Ryan knew this night was far from over.

He carried her to the bed and laid her down gently.

He stayed beside her, watching her carefully as the effects of the drug continued to weaken.

He knew she wasn't in a condition to make decisions for herself.

So despite everything he felt, Ryan forced himself to step back.

He covered her with a blanket and remained nearby until her breathing became calmer.

Eventually, exhaustion overcame her, and Aria fell into a deep sleep.

Ryan quietly left the room, still troubled by everything that had happened that night.

He had one thing on his mind.

Who had drugged her?

And why?

He would find the answer.