At the moment, Chelsey wasn’t around. Hadley had asked her to head back to the hotel and get some rest.

Tamara and her other bodyguards were seated just outside, taking a break in the waiting area. Not wanting to interrupt them, Hadley decided to handle it herself and went looking for a nurse.

It didn’t take long before she returned, guiding the IV stand along the floor. She reached up, removed the IV bag from its hook, and attached it to the stand properly. Once that was done, she turned to Zane and said, “Come on. Let’s get you upright.”

“Mm.”

Zane didn’t resist. He gripped her arm and pushed himself to his feet. There was more strength in his posture now, more stability in his movement. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he looked at Hadley. “I’ve got it. I can manage standing on my own now.”

“Alright then.” Hadley released her grip on him and shifted her attention to the IV stand. “Let me handle this for you.”

“Okay.”

They reached the men’s room, and that was where Hadley paused. “I’ll wait right here. Just call me if you need help.”

“Will do.”

With one hand raised in acknowledgment, Zane used the other to guide the IV stand and stepped into the bathroom. The flush of embarrassment on his face slowly faded as he disappeared behind the door.

Not long after, he returned to find Hadley exactly where he’d left her. Without saying a word, she reached for the IV stand and took over once more. Her gaze settled on him. “How are you feeling? Everything alright?”

“I’m fine,” Zane said with a light laugh. “Just feeling a bit thirsty.”

“Ah, that’s my fault.” Hadley grinned. “I brought water but completely forgot to hand it to you.”

g?lnσν?s?c?m fuels your imagination

Once they were back inside the infusion center, she helped Zane ease onto the chair again.

“Here,” Hadley said as she quickly reached into her bag and pulled out a bottle of water. After unscrewing the cap, she passed it to him. “It’s electrolyte water. Drink up.”

“Thank you.”

Accepting the bottle with his available hand, Zane tilted it upward and took several long gulps. His body was craving hydration, and the dryness in his throat made him drink faster than he should have.

That haste caught up with him as he suddenly began coughing from swallowing too quickly.

“Careful!”

Hadley fished out a few tissues and handed them over, grinning. “Nobody’s stealing it, you know. Pace yourself.”

Zane let out a gentle laugh and leaned into the moment. “You never know. I had to be sure.”

“Is that so?” Hadley raised one brow, amused. “Now you’re cracking jokes? That must mean you’re on the mend.”

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