A sour, churning feeling hung in Ariel’s throat, though she couldn’t vomit.

    Her stomach cramped painfully. Even her hands, which were bracing her on the roadside, trembled.

    Jayson was out of the car in an instant. Long legs carried him swiftly as his features tightened with concern. He reached Ariel before Janice, crouched down, and gently patted her back. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”

    Ariel was miserable. Her abdomen was twisting with waves of pain. She didn’t even have the strength to respond to his pats.

    Janice hurried over, worried. “Did you eat something bad?”

    Frowning, Jayson looked at Ariel. “I’ll take you to a hospital.”

    “No need.” Ariel, already recovering, immediately stopped him from lifting her. When she turned toward him, she noticed the unusual tension in his eyes and the furrow in his brow–emotions she rarely saw on

    his face.

    She waved off his hand and told Janice, “It’s just car sickness.”

    In fact, she knew that it was a reaction to her medication.

    These days, she had been on a variety of medications, some with harsh side effects and some causing

    instant nausea. But she had never shown herself like this in front of others before.

    Jayson’s expression darkened slightly as he looked at her pale face. “You’ve never gotten car sickness

    before. Better to see a doctor, just in case.”

    Ariel took Janice’s hand and stood. Her eyes remained cool. “Thanks for your concern, but I know my

    bodyb./bb” /b

    With no intention of talking further with Jayson, she turned to get into the car without giving him a

    chance to speak, let alone going to a hospital with him.

    Jayson nced at the passenger door for a moment, then seemed to relent. He turned to Janice. “Do you

    mind if I drive? The ride will be smoother, and she won’t feel ufortable.”

    Janice instinctively wanted to refuse, but then she realized Ariel might be ufortable because of her

    shaky driving. She gritted her teeth. “Fine, since you offered. But if she gets worse, you’ll get it from me.”

    “Understood.”

    Jayson slid into the driver’s seat, and Janice took the backseat.

    Ariel frowned at him as he got in. “Mr. Larkin, are you getting hooked on being the driver?”

    He started the car and replied calmly, “Do you want to pay the fare, then?b” /b

    Ariel ignored him. Fortunately, she didn’t feel any more difort after that.

    In the backseat, Janice darted her eyes between them constantly. Something felt odd, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

    She decided to stop thinking about it and chattered away with Ariel about all sorts of trivial topics.

    Ariel responded politely, keeping up the conversation.

    Jayson asionally nced at Ariel’s profile as he drove. He knew that Ariel had a natural capacity to care for and love those she cared about.

    He asked Janice for her address, then dropped her off first.

    Janice had been worried about Ariel being alone with him. Ariel, sensing what she was thinking,

    reassured her, “It’s fine. I’ll text you when I’m home.”

    Janice nced back multiple times before finally leaving.

    Once she left, the car was quiet again.

    Ariel looked out the window and said, “I’m not going to the hospital. Don’t detour. I just want to rest.”

    She guessed exactly where Jayson would go after dropping off Janice.

    He nced at her for a long moment. Her firm stance made it clear she wouldn’t cooperate if he tried anything. He gripped the wheel, then turned toward Ariel’s neighborhood.

    They didn’t speak again. Jayson watched to ensure she wasn’t in pain anymore.

    Since it was Ariel’s car, the security guard automatically let them through the gate.

    When they reached the underground garage, Jayson kept one hand on the wheel as he looked at her.”

    We’re here, ma’am.” (1

    Ariel opened the door and stepped out immediately. Jayson unbuckled and followed.

    “Thanks. Be careful on the road,” she said politely, keeping her expression neutral.

    Jayson leaned against the car and stared at her small face under the cool light without a word.

    Ariel’s car key was still in his hand. He didn’t offer it back, so she asked coldly, “Anything else?”

    Afterst night’s series of confrontations, she wasn’t in the mood to give him any warmth.

    Jayson remained silent.