Chapter 4 The Distance in the Warm Breeze
Andrew seemed unaware that Zoey had gotten into the car, resting his head against the headrest with his eyes closed.
Zoey couldn't help but secretly observe Andrew. Suddenly, two light coughs broke the silence, sounding like an instinctive reaction to a tickle in the throat, yet carrying a hint of deliberate disruption.
Realizing that Andrew might be aware of her every move, Zoey quickly turned her face away, pretending to look at the scenery outside the window.
Hayden was a skilled driver. Despite the winding mountain road, the car sped along smoothly. The only sounds were the low hum of the engine and the wind whistling outside the window.
Zoey had stood on the cold mountain road for too long, and the chill had seeped into her bones through her skirt. Now, enclosed in the car, the warmth only intensified the coldness within her.
A sudden sneeze escaped her lips, the sound echoing clearly in the silent car.
Zoey pressed her lips together in embarrassment, unable to resist glancing quickly at Andrew—his eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if disturbed by the abrupt noise. This subtle reaction made Zoey wish she could open the car door and escape.
But the car was moving too fast. If she opened the door now, her life would be in danger.
Thinking of this, Zoey tightened her coat collar again, trying to keep warm.
At that moment, the sound of the air vents increased, and warm air mixed with a faint scent of perfume enveloped the small space.
The warmth came too quickly, and Zoey's cheeks soon flushed under the hot air. She could feel the temperature rising up her neck; even her earlobes were starting to burn. She moved her face closer to the window, hoping the cool glass would soothe her flushed cheeks.
"Looks like you've been living well these past three years. Your complexion is good, and you seem to have gained some weight."
A deep, slightly mocking voice suddenly sounded in her ear.
Zoey's body stiffened, almost feeling the breath of the person next to her. She turned her head abruptly, unexpectedly meeting Andrew's gaze up close. He had opened his eyes at some point and was leaning slightly towards her, scrutinizing her. The distance between them had suddenly shortened, close enough for her to smell the faint tobacco scent mixed with his cologne.
"The car's heater is too strong."
Zoey didn't understand why Andrew was suddenly commenting on her appearance, so she hurriedly explained the reason for her flushed face.
Andrew raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on her flushed cheeks and trembling eyelashes, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Is that so?"
He elongated the last syllable, leaning in a bit closer.
"With such a beautiful face, you must have many admirers. Fellow doctors, or maybe patients' families?"
"I don't!"
Zoey was kind-hearted but never overly familiar with anyone. Faced with Andrew's sudden questioning, it felt like a knife had been stabbed into her heart. She raised her head to refute, but her abrupt movement almost caused her nose to touch Andrew's.
"Damn cat!"
Hayden's exclamation mixed with the roar of the brakes. Before Zoey could react, she was thrown forward by the inertia. Andrew's half-leaning body lost control completely, crashing into the back of the front passenger seat.
Andrew let out a muffled groan.
Zoey's back slammed into the car door, making her ears tingle.
Outside, the cat that had darted across the road had already disappeared into the bushes, leaving only the car lights casting long shadows of the trees. Hayden leaned forward from the front seat, cautiously asking:
"Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Anderson, are you both okay?"
Zoey stiffened her neck, swallowing her panic.
"I'm… I'm fine…"
"If you can't drive, get lost!"
Andrew was far less patient than Zoey, cursing under his breath.
Hayden clearly sensed the low-pressure atmosphere in the back seat; even his breathing became cautious. The car was filled with the steady hum of the engine and the faint sound of the air vents.
Zoey could feel Andrew's breathing beside her, slower than usual. She wanted to say something to break the tension, but the words stuck in her throat, blocked by the heat. She could only stare at the retreating neon lights outside the window, though her peripheral vision kept drifting towards Andrew.