THE KISS AFTERMATH

(Alexia's POV)

I want to disappear.

Right now.

Sofia's smug face is the last thing I need after what just happened.

I kissed Brandon.

And I liked it.

And now?

Now, Sofia is grinning like a cat who just caught two mice making out in the pantry.

"Oh my God, I knew this would happen," she says, clapping her hands together.

"Nothing happened," I snap, flinging myself away from Brandon like he's a live grenade.

Brandon just leans back on the bed, eyes half-lidded, completely unbothered.

Like he didn't just have his tongue down my throat.

Like he didn't just pull me into him like he couldn't breathe without me.

Sofia doesn't let up.

"Sure, sweetheart," she says, mockingly sweet. "You were just… checking his temperature with your mouth?"

Brandon smirks.

That smug asshole.

"Exactly," he mutters lazily. "She was checking for fever. Very… thoroughly."

Sofia gasps dramatically. "You absolute DOG, Brandon!"

I groan, pressing my hands to my face. "Can we stop talking about this?"

"Oh, absolutely not," Sofia says, practically vibrating with excitement. "This is the most exciting thing to happen in this house since forever."

I turn to Brandon, expecting him to say something.

But instead, he closes his eyes like he's bored.

"Sofia," he mutters, voice low and scratchy. "Get the doctor."

My stomach twists.

He sounds… different.

Colder.

Detached.

Like he doesn't care about what just happened.

The warmth in my chest vanishes.

Sofia blinks. "Wait, are you actually dying?"

"Sofia," Brandon grits out, losing patience.

She throws her hands up. "Fine, fine. I'll get the doctor. But we're not done talking about this, Alexia."

I ignore her as she rushes off.

Because now, I have a bigger problem.

Brandon is shutting me out.

I don't know why, but it stings.

Dr. Reynolds arrives within thirty minutes, carrying his medical bag and an air of exhaustion.

He's been Brandon's family doctor for years, so this isn't new to him.

"Let's see what we're dealing with," he mutters, adjusting his glasses as he checks Brandon's pulse.

Brandon stays silent, staring at the ceiling.

I watch as Dr. Reynolds moves efficiently, checking his temperature, pressing against his stomach.

"Severe dehydration," the doctor mutters. "You must've eaten something really bad."

I clear my throat. "About that…"

Dr. Reynolds lifts a brow. "Alexia. What did you do?"

I cross my arms. "Why does everyone assume I did something?"

Sofia snorts.

"Because you did," Brandon mutters.

I glare at him. "Excuse me? I wouldn't have had to cook if someone hadn't ordered the staff to take a damn vacation!"

"You still tried to kill me," he says flatly.

Dr. Reynolds pauses. "Wait… did you poison your husband?"

Sofia bursts into laughter.

"No, no, Doc, it wasn't poison. Just an entire bottle of chili. A little love tap, you know?"

Dr. Reynolds sighs. "Christ, I'm too old for this drama."

He sets up an IV drip, and Brandon doesn't even flinch.

I hate how indifferent he looks.

Like… nothing happened.

Like we didn't kiss.

Like he wasn't just pulling me against him like I was the only thing keeping him alive.

The warmth in my chest is gone.

Fine. Two can play this game.

After Dr. Reynolds leaves, the silence in the room is suffocating.

Brandon leans back against the pillows, eyes closed, completely detached.

I stand awkwardly, unsure of what to do.

Should I say something?

Should I acknowledge the kiss?

But before I can open my mouth, he beats me to it.

"You should leave."

His voice is low. Dismissive.

Like I'm just another person.

A stranger.

I swallow hard.

"Brandon—"

"Don't," he mutters.

I flinch.

Something sharp and painful grips my chest.

So that's how he's going to play it.

Like it meant nothing.

Like I mean nothing.

"Fine," I say coolly, turning to leave.

But before I step out, Sofia blocks the doorway.

With a shit-eating grin.

"Soooo," she sings, leaning against the doorframe. "How does it feel?"

I blink. "How does what feel?"

"Kissing your husband," she teases.

I glare at her. "You do realize he's sick, right?"

"Oh, come on," she huffs. "That was a full-on, 'I want to rip your clothes off' kiss. You can't just pretend it didn't happen!"

"Oh, really?" I snap. "Tell that to him."

I gesture toward Brandon.

He doesn't react.

Doesn't even look at me.

Just stares blankly at the ceiling, like I don't exist.

Sofia notices.

Her smile falters slightly.

"Oh."

Exactly.

"Yeah," I mutter, forcing a laugh. "Guess it didn't mean anything after all."

And before she can say anything else, I push past her and walk away.

Brandon wants to pretend it never happened?

Wants to act like he didn't just kiss me like I belonged to him?

Fine.

Let's see how long he can keep up the act.

Because whether he admits it or not…

That kiss changed everything.

And he knows it.