Chapter 81

Summer’s POV

“S-Steven, I-I thought you were on a business trip?”

As our gazes intertwined, a fleeting moment of connection was abruptly shattered as he averted his eyes. In that split second, I could discern a profound anguish that seemed to emanate from the depths of his mesmerizing black eyes. However, as his pupils returned to meet mine once more, the pain that had momentarily consumed him vanished, replaced by the familiar bitter detachment that characterized his usual demeanor.

Without moving, he assisted me in drinking the water. We shared a moment of eye contact before he shifted his gaze to the doctor, who promptly understood Steven’s unspoken message. The doctor rushed out the door and secured it.

After a prolonged period of silence, the air hung heavy with nervousness as I summoned the courage to break down the solitude once more. My voice, barely a whisper, escaped my parched throat, its feeble sound struggling to reach his ears. “Why are y