Her Rebirth of Retribution

Chapter 223 Are You Truly Not Afraid Just then, it seemed as though Kallum was jolted awake. His gaze toward Calista was fraught with complexity. Almost immediately, he pressed his body close to hers, subtly watching her face for any trace of emotion. A sudden, intense curiosity overtook him-he desperately wanted to know whether Calista was truly devoid of the fear that everyone else harbored against him. "Did he faint?" It was only then that the memory resurfaced among them-those infected with the notorious K Virus typically suffered from a rapid onset of high fever. This knowledge caused a collective, though silent, sigh of relief to pass through the group, as none exhibited any fever symptoms.

Calista, while supporting Kallum's weight, raised her voice to catch the attention of Gunner and the others. In reality, her words were meant for everyone present.

"Don't give up hope," she said, "Quickly, take him back. We still have the antibodies; there's still that slim one percent chance of survival!" Gunner instantly grasped Calista's subtle attempt at disguising Kallum's illness. He nodded with urgency and moved swiftly to assist Calista in escorting Kallum away from the scene. Their departure was marked by a rushed urgency, as if the antibody's administration was a matter of life or death.

Throughout this ordeal, Calista had been the pillar Kallum leaned on. When they found themselves suddenly isolated by their peers, she noticed Kallum's emotional state was precariously unstable. Knowing well that any surge of negative emotions could severely disrupt his recovery, her actions were carefully crafted to provide reassurance.

Once they were safely inside the car, Calista had Kallum rest his head on her lap. Although she was aware that onlookers couldn't see inside, Calista still whispered a cautious, "Don't move just yet." No sooner had Calista issued her instruction than Kallum stilled completely. The car sped off, leaving the rest of their group behind in haste.

The vehicle was partitioned such that only Calista and Kallum's heavy breathing could be heard within the confined space. At that time, both were engulfed in a whirlwind of emotions.

Calista had much on her mind-she wanted to reproach Kallum for his reckless attempts at saving her. Given his unique position, any complications could escalate into significant issues! Yet, she recognized that such thoughts were unjustified-after all, it was she who had continually pulled him into her own perilous situations.

'Don't worry," Calista said calmly, analyzing their situation, "Once we return, you'll rest for a month. To the outside world, we'll announce that you've recovered following the antibody treatment. It's normal to experience a few months of weakness after such a procedure. But after a month, everyone will recognize that you're not infected." As Calista voiced these thoughts, she managed to find a small smile, "Yes," she continued, "as long as you can 'endure' for a month, they'll realize your treatment was successful. Because, so far, no one infected with the K Virus has lasted a month." Kallum, breaking his silence, voiced a concern, "There are many who wish to see my downfall. They won't just sit back this month; they'll keep trying to find ways to attack." Calista's fingers gently combed through his hair.

"I'll always be there to protect you," she declared with a serious tone.

Though her words might sound naive to outsiders-the ones after Kallum were not just ordinary foes-their machinations were far beyond what one might expect a nineteen-year-old to handle.

Nonetheless, Kallum believed her. He tilted his head to meet her gaze, his feelings for her deepening.

"So you're saying you'll always be with me..." His voice carried a subtle undertone as he slightly curled his lips. "Aren't you afraid ofat all? I mean, the reactions of the people today were typical, yet you've never shown any fear. Are you really not afraid of me?" Calista looked down at Kallum, puzzled by his question.

She understood his feelings might have been provoked by the events of the day, but what did that have to do with her? She was the one he had saved twice from the peril of the K Virus, all due to his involvement. What reason did she have to fear or distance herself from him? Moreover, if an average person were to contract the K Virus through someone else's actions, they would likely feel immense resentment toward that individual during their suffering. They might even believe that their only solace lay in dragging that person down with them. Yet, Kallum had never exhibited such bitterness. He had consistently shown kindness toward her, never once blaming her for his condition. So why would he think she would fear him and pull away? Unable to fathom his feelings, Shang Qing impulsively planted a kiss on him. In such a situation, nothing was more comforting than this intimate touch.

She lowered her gaze, meeting Kallum's somewhat scrutinizing eyes. Without hesitation, she deepened the kiss gradually. Their breaths mingled, a silent yearning filled the space between them. The atmosphere thickened with a palpable tension, as if they were on the brink of crossing an unspoken boundary...

Kallum's doubts about her feelings vanished completely. Callie was clearly not afraid of him, not in the didn't just slightest. She didn'tj bi ta placan ve kiss him out of guilt or to placate him—her kisses were imbued with a passion that seemed to contradict her outward calmness, even a simple peck was charged with the warmth and excitement capable of melting hearts.

Suddenly, Kallum acted on impulse, flipping Calista beneath him. In the dim light, his violet eyes seemed to blaze with an eerie glow, his breathing intensified. "Are you truly not afraid of me? You're not scared that I..." His fingers traced a path from her cheek down to her neck, then suggestively

lower. With each touch, his breath grew more labored. The air withinthe car was stifling laden with tension that seemed ready to burst at any moment. "Would you be scared if I said I wanted you?"