After hanging up, she saw Raphael staring at her. She pursed her lips. “What are you looking at me for? Do you think I’m cruel?”
“Not at all.” Raphael stood up and looked at Aria. “Are you going to the institute now?”
She had just called the police, so she should be at the scene. But in her current state, even getting out of bed was a struggle, though her wound had healed a bit over the past few days.
“I should go. If it’s too difficult, I’ll just call the professor…”
“I’ll take you. Wait for me a moment.”
Raphael straightened his clothes. He was wearing an off-white sweater, his hair slightly messy from sleep, but he didn’t look disheveled. Instead, he had a youthful energy she hadn’t seen before.
Raphael returned quickly, pushing a wheelchair and carrying a thick blanket he had thoughtfully prepared.
Aria propped herself up, but as she moved her legs, the pull on her abdominal muscles sent a sharp pain through her.
“Excuse me.”
Raphael leaned over Aria, slipped an arm under her knees, and easily lifted her into his arms.
It still hurt, but only for a second.
Aria’s senses were filled with the faint, medicinal scent on Raphael.
He must have kept up with his fitness routine; even through his clothes, Aria could feel the toned muscles in his arms.
After he gently placed her in the wheelchair, Raphael wrapped the thick blanket snugly around her. Then he put a mask, scarf, and hat on her.
Aria felt a bit overwhelmed and amused. “Do I really need to be bundled up this much?”
“It’s cold outside.”
He said it was cold, but he himself had only thrown on a trench coat before coming out.

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