Chapter 237 I thought I heard you

Chapter 237: Chapter 237 I thought I heard you

A moment later, Alessio returned with a glass of water.

He placed it on the table in front of her and crouched slightly so that his eyes were level with hers.

"Headache?"

Daisy looked at him in surprise.

He pointed toward her forehead.

"You’ve been rubbing it since you walked into me."

She hesitated, then nodded.

Alessio’s expression changed immediately. "How bad?"

She raised one hand and moved it from side to side, trying to indicate that it wasn’t unbearable but was certainly uncomfortable.

He didn’t look satisfied with that explanation.

"Did you take anything?"

She shook her head.

"Do you have medicine in your room?"

Another shake.

Alessio exhaled through his nose. "And you were planning to suffer in silence?"

Daisy looked down.

She hadn’t wanted to disturb anyone.

His expression softened, although a trace of disapproval remained in his eyes.

"You know you can ask me for help, don’t you?"

Daisy looked up at him.

For a moment, she didn’t know what to do with that question.

He wasn’t teasing her now.

He was looking at her with a seriousness that made her heart feel unexpectedly warm.

Alessio reached out, then paused before touching her forehead.

"May I?"

Daisy blinked.

He was asking permission.

She nodded.

His fingers brushed lightly against her hairline as he checked whether she had bumped her head badly during their collision. His touch was careful, almost surprisingly gentle for a man whose hands were more accustomed to giving orders than offering comfort.

Daisy held her breath without meaning to.

Alessio noticed. His gaze flickered toward her eyes.

"Does that hurt?"

She shook her head.

"Great." He withdrew his hand but his attention remained on her face.

"I’ll get you something for the headache. We should also make sure you eat something before taking it."

He stood and offered her his hand.

Daisy stared at it for a second, then she placed her smaller hand in his.

His fingers closed around hers, warm and reassuring.

He helped her rise from the sofa.

Alessio looked down at their joined hands.

Then at her. A faint smile returned to his lips.

"Come on, Daisy. Let’s find you some food and then medicine before you decide to walk into another wall."

Daisy’s mouth fell open and she gave his arm an indignant slap. He laughed.

He had apparently decided that teasing her was an excellent way to begin his morning.

"Come on," Alessio said, still smiling. "Let’s get you something to eat."

He led her toward the dining room, where Rafael and Mateo were already seated at the table. Eva joined them a few minutes later, her hair tied up casually as she greeted everyone.

Daisy took the seat beside Alessio and breakfast proceeded with the usual conversation between the brothers. Rafael was telling Mateo about something that had happened the previous evening, while Mateo looked as though he regretted getting out of bed early enough to hear it.

Alessio, however, kept glancing at Daisy.

Not obviously enough for everyone to notice but often enough that she eventually caught him doing it.

She raised her eyebrows at him.

He looked away and reached for his coffee.

Daisy narrowed her eyes.

What are you looking at?

Alessio took a sip, pretending not to understand her expression.

The corner of his mouth twitched.

She was about to kick him beneath the table when he casually called for one of the maids.

"Could you bring some medicine for a headache? Daisy isn’t feeling well."

Daisy turned toward him in surprise.

The maid nodded and went to fetch it.

Alessio turned back to his breakfast.

Daisy watched him for a moment before lowering her eyes to her plate. A small smile appeared on her face.

After breakfast, everyone gradually left the dining room. Mateo disappeared upstairs, muttering something about wanting another hour of sleep, while Eva and Rafael lingered near the staircase, discussing their plans for the day.

Daisy had taken her medicine and was feeling a little better. She intended to return to her room and rest before beginning her work for the day.

She had almost reached the staircase when Alessio called her.

"Daisy. Wait a moment."

She turned around.

He was standing near the dining room entrance, one hand tucked into his trouser pocket. His expression had changed. The playful amusement he’d worn throughout breakfast had been replaced by something more hesitant.

Daisy tilted her head.

What is it?

Alessio hesitated.

He had been thinking about this since waking up. The memory of that voice had followed him through the entire morning and every time he tried to dismiss it, he remembered the one-hour call in his phone.

He needed to know what had happened.

"Do you remember that I called you yesterday?"

Daisy nodded.

Of course she remembered.

She had been worried about him all evening. When he finally called, she had answered immediately, relieved that he was at least alive and well enough to contact her.

Alessio swallowed.

"...Did you speak to me?"

Daisy stared at him.

For a moment, she genuinely thought she had misunderstood.

Then her expression changed.

Her eyes widened in disbelief and her brows drew together. She looked at him as though he had just asked her whether she had suddenly grown wings.

Speak?

Me?

How exactly am I supposed to speak?

The hurt in her expression was so immediate and genuine that Alessio’s stomach sank.

He knew Daisy genuinely couldn’t speak. He had known it from the beginning of their friendship. He had watched her communicate through messages, gestures, and little expressions that sometimes said far more than words ever could.

Yet he had woken up convinced that he had heard her voice.

For the first time, he seriously considered that Rafael might have been right.

Perhaps the whiskey had played tricks on him.

Perhaps he’d been so exhausted and emotionally drained that his mind had created something he desperately wanted to hear.

Alessio rubbed the back of his neck.

"I know. I’m sorry. I just..." He stopped, struggling to explain himself without making things worse. "I thought I heard you."