Secrets Of The Neglected Wife: When Her True Colors Shine

“Luckily, this dried grass hasn’t gotten wet.

It should last us until dawn,” Allison said, reappearing with a bundle of grass in her hands.

Her fingers concealed a tiny, sharp blade.

She stirred the fire with a stick, her face illuminated by the flickering flames and a lock of loose hair falling over her eyes, revealing a dark glint lurking within.

Kellan, leaning against the stone wall, clutched a sharp stone in his hand, but dropped it.

“Your bandaging skills are impressive.

Did you learn them somewhere?” he asked.

"I was a bit of a tomboy as a kid and always got into trouble.

I guess you could say practice made perfect," Allison replied firmly, not meeting his gaze.

Kellan laughed to himself.

His story sounded too rehearsed.

If roughhousing could teach such advanced bandages, who needed doctors?

Still, he replied softly, "You must be quite a prodigy.

"

"And your legs are a marvel of modern medicine, Mr.

Lloyd," Allison replied, with a subtle acidity in her words.

The air grew heavier with tension, further cooling the already tense atmosphere.

Allison's fingers brushed the sharp blade, ready to strike at any moment.

Kellan might be skilled, but his handicap made him an easy target.

Kellan's reputation for ruthlessness had been earned over years of ruthless business dealings.

Although Allison had often dismissed the rumors, she knew his rapid rise within the Lloyd Group was not due to his kindness.

His constant use of a wheelchair seemed to be covering up something else.

Now that she had discovered a part of his secret, he might be driven to act, protecting himself from a threat she didn't even know he posed.

Suddenly breaking the silence, Allison smiled.

“That necklace on your outfit is quite striking.

”

Seeing him, he remembered that fateful night on the cruise ship when they had pointed a gun at him.

Kellan twirled the necklace between his fingers, his voice deep and husky.

“The memory of a woman.

”

He stared at Allison and added pointedly, “Quite an intriguing and dangerous woman.

Certainly piques one’s curiosity to discover her true identity.

” Allison’s combat skills had been top-notch.

Her actions on the cruise ship had been impressively professional, far from the demure Mrs.

Stevens the rumors had portrayed.

Kellan, ever the skeptic, wondered if their meeting had been a coincidence or something more sinister.

"Be careful, Mr.

Lloyd.

Curiosity can be a double-edged sword.

"

Allison threw another log on the fire, her expression serene as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

The flickering flames cast shadows across her face, making her look both captivating and dangerous.

But that necklace is exquisite.

The previous owner must have had exceptional taste.

Kellan couldn't help but laugh.

She really did have a knack for self-praise, even with the unspoken understanding between them.

It took some guts to praise yourself so subtly.

Suddenly, Allison looked up and smiled at him.

"You're quite skilled yourself, Mr.

Lloyd," he commented, his fingers lightly brushing the sword concealed in his hand.

Kellan’s expression hardened.

“Just a little play.

But I appreciate your help, Miss Clarke.

”

He knew full well that Allison was a woman who struck first.

After all, that night he had gone so far as to brandish a gun behind her back to coerce her.

The tension was almost palpable, their gazes locked in a silent duel.

It was as if an invisible fog rose between them, filling the cave with an unspoken threat.

The cave was silent, the air heavy and oppressive.

The crackling of the fire was the only sound, as the embers danced in front of them.

"Oh, I almost forgot.

I didn't get a good look at your wound earlier.

"

Allison slowly stood up and crouched in front of Kellan.

Kellan felt the soft brush of her hair on his cheek, a slight tickle in the heat.

Then, she smiled softly.

"You have a cut here.

It doesn't look like a knife wound.

"

«Rather, a branch scratched you.

As she spoke, her cold fingertips brushed his chest.

The small blade hidden between her ring and pinky fingers was now dangerously close to his heart.

“How about I take a closer look for you, Mr.

Lloyd?” Her voice was warm and sweet, and she was smiling.

But the sharp blade slipped easily through his fingers.