"I have no appetite," Kevan replied.

"What about a little water?" She eyed his parched lips.

"Okay."

There was an unopened bottle of mineral water in the room. Larissa twisted the cap off and handed the bottle to him, but Kevan did not take it.

"I don't have the strength to take it." He stared at her unblinkingly.

Defeated, Larissa sat at the head of his bed. "I'll help you sit up then?"

Kevan's eyes lit up. "Sure."

Her arms slung around the back of his neck, holding onto it carefully as she supported his upper body.

Kevan sipped the water she'd brought him, finding an unexpected hint of sweetness lingering on the tip of his tongue.

When she helped him lie down after he was done, Larissa asked, "Do you still want to sleep?"

Kevan was exhausted, and his eyelids were so heavy that he knew he wouldn't be able to open them again once he closed them.

And yet, he didn't want to waste the precious time he got to spend with her alone, especially when he could play the patient card and have her