Chapter 27 A Mother's New Care

The air in the elevator was thick with unspoken tension, almost suffocating. Finally, a sharp "ding" cut through the silence as the doors slid open. Lila Cross bolted out like she was escaping a crime scene. "Achoo—" Stepping out of the hotel, Lila sneezed violently. Night had fallen without her noticing. The cold wind sent shivers down her spine. Dressed in a cartoon bunny pajama set, she looked utterly ridiculous standing at the hotel entrance—every passerby gave her a second glance. Lila pulled the fabric tighter around her and forced herself forward toward the parking lot. After just a few steps, someone yanked the bunny-ear hood from behind. Before she could turn, darkness enveloped her. A man's suit jacket—cool, crisp, and carrying his sharp, minty scent—landed over her head. "Put it on." She tugged it off and stared at the tall, broad-shouldered back of the man. "I'm fine." Adrian Quinn didn't slow down. "If you catch a cold, they'll blame me." Lila pressed her lips together and