Wren Wynter stared at Mason Shaw, her face a mask of disbelief. She never would have guessed that Kaden Xavier and Mason Shaw had that kind of history.

"He beat you up? When did that happen?"

"I don’t quite remember." Mason Shaw stroked his chin, as if trying to recall something. "But he seemed genuinely furious that day. He didn’t hold back."

Wren Wynter froze.

"He never told you?" Mason Shaw raised an eyebrow. "It seems Mr. Xavier hasn’t been entirely forthcoming with you, has he?"

Wren Wynter said nothing, but a complex mix of emotions churned within her.

"I have plenty of great single guys in my circle. If you’re interested, Dr. Wynter, I can introduce you."

Wren Wynter snapped out of it and quickly waved her hands in refusal. "No, no, thank you. I’m quite happy on my own right now and not looking to get into anything."

Mason Shaw smiled, not pressing the issue. The car soon arrived at the gates of View Gardens. Wren Wynter got out and waved at him.

"Thanks for the ride back, Dr. Shaw."

"You’re welcome. Get some rest."

Watching Mason Shaw’s car disappear into the night, Wren Wynter turned and walked into View Gardens.

By the time she had washed up and gotten into bed, it was nearly eleven o’clock. The sky outside was overcast, with clouds hanging low and heavy. The air was thick with an unspeakable, muggy heat.

Wren Wynter rolled over and closed her eyes, ready for sleep.

Some time later, she groggily heard a distant rumbling. The sound grew closer and louder until, finally, a deafening crack of thunder exploded outside her window.

Wren Wynter’s eyes shot open, her heart instantly racing.

’Looks like it’s going to be another sleepless night.’

Another clap of thunder crashed, and Wren Wynter shuddered. She reached for the pill bottle on her nightstand—the sleeping pills she kept specifically for moments like this.

She shook out two pills and swallowed them with some water. Closing her eyes, she forced herself to ignore the thunder outside.

The medication wouldn’t kick in that quickly. Wren Wynter curled up under the covers, her entire body trembling slightly as she listened to the incessant thunder outside.

Some time later, a sudden knock echoed from downstairs.

Wren Wynter froze.

’In this downpour, at this hour? Who could it be?’

The knocking came again, more insistent this time.

She threw on a robe and peered through the peephole.

Kaden Xavier was standing outside, soaked to the bone. Rain dripped from his hair, and in the dim porch light, his face looked somewhat pale.

A jolt went through Wren Wynter, and she quickly opened the door.

"What are you doing here?" Her eyes went wide as she stared at him.

Kaden Xavier stood in the doorway. Seeing her safe and sound, he let out a visible sigh of relief. His voice was a little hoarse and tinged with exhaustion. "It’s thundering. I was worried you wouldn’t be able to sleep, so I came to check on you."

Wren Wynter was speechless.

"You..." Wren Wynter opened her mouth, but the words wouldn’t come.

Another clap of thunder sounded, and Wren Wynter instinctively took a half-step back, her face paling. Kaden Xavier saw it, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"You should come in," Wren Wynter said, stepping aside. "It’s pouring out there. You’ll catch a cold."

Kaden Xavier didn’t argue, stepping through the doorway.

Water dripped from his clothes, forming a puddle on the floor. His suit was completely soaked and clung to his frame, making him look both wretched and pitiable.

Wren Wynter went to the bathroom, grabbed a dry towel, and handed it to him. "Dry your hair first. I’ll see if I can find you some dry clothes."

Kaden Xavier took the towel but didn’t immediately use it. Instead, he looked at her. "Are you all right?"

"I’m fine." Wren Wynter averted her gaze. "Just dry yourself off before you catch a cold."

When she came back downstairs with a bathrobe, Kaden Xavier had already dried his hair and was sitting on the sofa.

He looked up as she descended, his gaze landing on the bathrobe in her hands.

"This is all I have. You’ll have to make do for tonight." Wren Wynter handed him the robe. "The bathroom’s over there. You can take a hot shower."

Kaden Xavier took the robe and walked toward the bathroom.

Wren Wynter stood in the living room, listening to the sound of the shower, her thoughts a tangled mess.

’I can’t believe Kaden Xavier still remembered I was afraid of thunder, and that he’d come all the way to View Gardens for it. The guest room is full of boxes... he’ll have to sleep on the sofa tonight.’

Wren Wynter sank onto the sofa, buried her face in her hands, and let out a deep sigh.

After a while, the bathroom door opened.

"Um..." Wren Wynter stood up. "I’ll get you a blanket. You can sleep on the sofa tonight."

"Okay."

Kaden Xavier didn’t ask why he couldn’t use the guest room; he simply agreed.

Wren Wynter went upstairs and brought down a blanket and a pillow. She made up the sofa for him, avoiding his gaze the entire time.

"There. You should get some rest," she said, turning to go back upstairs.

"Wren," Kaden Xavier called after her.

Wren Wynter stopped but didn’t turn around.

"You too. Get some sleep," Kaden Xavier said softly. "If you can’t, you can call me."

Wren Wynter’s heart skipped a beat. Without answering, she hurried upstairs, entered her bedroom, and shut the door.

「The next morning.」

Wren Wynter was woken by the sound of birds chirping outside her window.

The thunderstorm had passed.

She sat up and rubbed her eyes. Suddenly remembering the events of the previous night, she scrambled out of bed and headed downstairs.

The living room was quiet. She hurried down and found Kaden Xavier still on the sofa. His face was pale and covered in a cold sweat, his brow deeply furrowed as if he were in great pain.

She rushed over and touched his forehead, pulling her hand back with a start.

’He’s burning up!’

Kaden Xavier had a fever.

’It must be from getting soaked in the rain last night.’

’Butler Chandler must be out buying groceries at this hour. I haven’t been home in five years, so it’s just him here.’

With Butler Chandler away, it was just her and Kaden Xavier.

Wren Wynter quickly fetched some fever-reducing medicine and helped Kaden Xavier take it, then prepared a warm, ginger-infused drink to help ward off the chill.

’Of all the times for something like this to happen...’

She tried to get Kaden Xavier’s phone to call Assistant Lynch, but he was clutching it tightly, giving her no opportunity to take it. Besides, she didn’t know Assistant Lynch’s number.

’Fine. The medicine will have to do for now.’

Wren Wynter stood up, intending to go upstairs for more blankets, but a hand suddenly shot out and grabbed her wrist, yanking her back with surprising force.

Her eyes flew wide. Losing her balance, she stumbled and fell on top of Kaden Xavier.

Faced with his perfect features, now just inches away, Wren Wynter’s heart began to pound. She pushed against his chest to create some distance, her cheeks flushing as she tried to stand. She wanted to pull away, but his grip on her wrist was ironclad. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Left with no choice, she sat down on the edge of the sofa, waiting for Kaden Xavier to wake up.

Perhaps due to the medicine, Kaden Xavier’s fever began to subside quickly, and the strength in his grip lessened. Seizing the opportunity, Wren Wynter quickly stood up and fled the living room.

Wren Wynter didn’t emerge from her room until Butler Chandler had returned.

"Butler Chandler, Kaden Xavier has a fever. Could you please look after him?"

"Of course, Miss."