Chapter 9

I lay still on the floor for a minute, too scared to move. It felt like something had shifted in my chest, and every breath sent a sharp pain through my ribs. I was worried I had made my injuries worse.

“Are you okay?”

Kellan’s voice filled the bathroom, and I froze. I hadn’t even realized he’d come in. My face turned red with embarrassment, thankful that the shirt was still covering it. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him.

He asked again, but all I could do was nod. I was in too much pain to speak.

“Do you need help with the shirt?” he asked gently.

I nodded again, and he knelt beside me, carefully adjusting the shirt down over my face and helping me slip my arms through the sleeves. Then, with ease, he lifted me into his arms and carried me out of the bathroom.

He laid me down softly on the bed, and I shut my eyes tight, trying to manage the pain. I had landed hard on my butt, and it made my already-healing ribs shift again and pressed into my lungs. The sting reached all the way into my chest, making it hard to breathe.

I considered asking for the doctor to check me but deep down, I knew this pain just needed time. It would pass after some minutes and I wouldn't feel it again.

After a few minutes of clenching and unclenching my fists, and taking small, shallow breaths, the pain began to fade and that was how I remembered thatI wasn’t wearing any shorts. And when Kellan helped with my shirt…my boobs!

“Oh my God,” I groaned, hitting my forehead with my palm. “Did he just see me naked again?!”

A soft chuckle made my head snap to the side. Kellan was still in the room and he heard me.

“Just kill me now. How did I forget he was still here?” I muttered, sighing heavily.

“Don’t worry,” he said, raising both hands like he was surrendering. “I didn’t see anything. I was more focused on how much pain you were in. Plus, the shirt had already covered most of your… you know.” He cleared his throat. “I just pulled it down and covered you with the blanket as soon as I laid you on the bed. You don’t have to worry.”

A small smile tugged at his lips, and somehow, that made me feel a little better.

“Thank you,” I said softly, with a smile of my own.

Even if he had seen something, he didn’t say it. He just made me feel better.

“Do you want me to help you put your shorts on?” Kellan asked, a bit awkwardly. “You know, so you don’t catch a cold or something. And I promise I won’t look,” he quickly added.

I thought about it for a second. Honestly, I’d already shown him enough skin to die from embarrassment, but if I didn’t let him help, the doctor, or worse, Lucian, might end up seeing me like this. And I wasn’t taking that chance.

I would rather have Kellan dress me, even if he accidentally got a peek, than have Lucian walk in and see everything. Also, he looked at me and treated me like a human, not some object to control or hurt and that alone made it easier for me to trust him and say yes.

“It is totally fine if you don’t want me to help,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “I can call a nurse to come dress you in the morning.”

“Oh, no, it’s okay,” I said quickly. “You can help me.”

I didn’t want to wait till morning. Anything could happen between now and then.

Kellan nodded and walked into the bathroom. A moment later, he came out holding my shorts. He gently removed the sheet covering me and looked away, keeping his eyes focused only on my legs. He carefully slipped the shorts over my injured leg first, then the other, pulling them up with slow, gentle movements.

Not once did his gaze drift toward the wild mess of hair between my legs, even though it was right there. He was being so careful, so respectful and somehow, that made me even more nervous.

I stared up at the ceiling, trying to keep my breathing steady. Every time his cool fingers brushed my skin, a jolt ran through me. His touch was light, and delicate but it still sent heat rushing to my cheeks.

I silently begged for him to finish quickly so he could leave, and I wouldn’t have to look him in the eye.

Once the shorts were on, he pulled the sheets back up to my chest and tucked them in gently. Then he stepped back and said, “All done.”

“You okay now?” he asked, looking at my face. “I don’t have to call the doctor, right?”

“Yup! I’m good,” I replied, clearing my throat. “You don’t have to.”

“Alright,” he said with a nod. “I have to go now, but I’ll come back tomorrow to check on you. Sleep well.”

He reached out and gently ruffled my hair, making my heart do a little flip.

Jeez, Seraya. Really?

He turned to leave, but my hand shot out and grabbed his wrist before I even realized what I was doing.

He looked back at me. “You good?”

I nodded. “Uh… Seraya. My name is Seraya,” I muttered.

He deserved to know, after what he did for me tonight.

Kellan smiled. “That’s a cool name. I like it.”

Then, in a softer voice, he added, “Goodnight, Seraya,” and stepped out, closing the door quietly behind him.

For a while, I just stared at the door.

Why did hearing him say he liked my name make me feel warm all over?

And why, for the first time since I got to this place, was there a small smile on my lips as I closed my eyes to sleep?