The bathroom glass door wasn't transparent to begin with, and now the mist made it impossible for Kieran to see inside.
He only heard Lila make a faint hissing sound.
"I slipped and twisted my ankle," Lila replied softly, her voice trembling, indicating that the injury was no small matter.
"Don't move."
As soon as the words fell, Lila felt like Kieran had left.
She wanted to get dressed, but her ankle hurt so much that it felt like a sharp pain was running up her leg.
She regretted not bringing a bathrobe with her earlier.
"Uncle Kieran?" she called out.
No one responded. Lila had no choice but to lean against the wall and slowly sit beside the bathtub.
Before she could put on her clothes, the bathroom door handle turned, and with a "click", the door opened.
Lila was startled. "Uncle Kieran, I..."
She hadn't put on any clothes yet.
Kieran caught a glimpse of her through the mist and quickly wrapped her in a bathrobe. He then bent down and picked her up.
He walked out of the bathroom and glanced down at her. Her face was flushed. It was either from the heat of the bath or the awkwardness.
He gently placed her on the bed, then covered her with a blanket, exposing only her head.
Just the thought of her being naked underneath made Kieran's breath falter.
He quickly said, "I'll go find some medicine for the sprain."
Lila watched him leave quickly, unsure whether to feel relieved or regretful for having kept Kieran around that day.
After a moment, she began changing into her sleepwear. Otherwise, things would be even more awkward later.
Kieran chuckled. "You're really dedicated."
"So, will it?" Lila pressed on. She didn't want her injury to delay the entire film production.
"It won't. It'll be fine by tomorrow."
Kieran's words were like a calming pill, soothing her worries. Lila instantly felt much lighter.
"Lean back, so it won't be too tiring."
Kieran gently moved her toward the top of the bed, holding her carefully.
Lila reclined against the headboard, her gaze dropping to watch him carefully massaging her ankle.
At that moment, she felt that it might not be so bad if the rest of her life could be spent this way.
The thought had just crossed her mind when she stopped short, feeling startled by it.
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The readers' comments on the novel: too late for a second chance novel (Lila and Dorian)