"Clang—"
Adrian Carter peeked his head out and looked at Chloe Frost standing at the door. "Miss Frost."
Chloe gave a small nod, then looked at Riley Palmer lying on the bed. She gently pulled the blanket a little higher.
Turning back to Adrian, she crossed her arms. "What happened?"
Chloe knew Riley's illness very well. Usually it only relapsed for a day.It shouldn't have reached the point where she was still unconscious the next day. And of course, she also knew that treating only the symptoms never solved the root.
But the faint scar that appeared on Riley Palmer's wrist when she was twelve was deeply engraved in Chloe Frost's mind, the cramped bathroom, the floor covered in blood, those lifeless eyes, her classmate who was barely breathing.
Chloe looked at the scar on Riley's wrist now and carefully brushed her fingers over it.
Adrian watched her movements and spoke slowly. "During hypnosis, she saw something painful. Her emotions exploded."
"Is her depression getting worse?"
Adrian didn't answer directly. He simply nodded.
Silence fell over the room as they all exchanged heavy looks.
Yudy Palmer also slowly calmed himself, then stood up. "Let her rest for now."
Chloe gently placed Riley's arm back under the blanket. She glanced at Adrian. "Take good care of her."
Adrian stood by the bed, looking at Riley, then glanced at the cup from earlier, moving it farther away with caution.
He sat down at the edge of the bed, gazing at Riley's soft face. Leaning down, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I'm sorry… I was late."
"Bzzz—"
Adrian looked at Riley's phone on the table. An unknown number.
He frowned slightly and opened the message.
[Riley, let's meet.]
Adrian memorized the number and sent it to Yulius Linn.
[Check who this is.]
[Okay, Mr. Carter.]
"Adrian… Adrian…" Riley murmured restlessly on the bed, twisting slightly. "I don't want to…"
Adrian put down the phone and reached for her, gently patting her arm. "I'm here. I'm here."
Riley moved, inching her body closer to him.
Her brows knitted tightly as she slowly opened her eyes, seeing Adrian sitting beside her.
Adrian watched her wake, smiling softly. "You're awake?"
He walked toward the light switch, his gaze never leaving hers.
"Mm." Riley seemed calmer now. She slowly pushed herself up, scanning the room.
Adrian gently held her wrist, took the bandage from the table, and wrapped it carefully around her wound.
"Are you hungry?" he asked quietly. "Want to eat something?"
Riley shook her head. "I'm not hungry."
The room fell silent again. Adrian lifted the blanket off her and straightened it neatly.
He picked up the stuffed toys that had fallen onto the ground and placed them back near the bed.
Riley took them from him one by one. "Little bear goes here, little kitten here, and little puppy next to her."
The toys were lined up neatly above her pillow.
"Riley's awake?" Yudy Palmer knocked lightly, looking at his sister.
Riley smiled sweetly. "Chris, you're back."
Yudy froze for a moment, glanced at Adrian, then smiled. "Yeah. I'm back."
Riley swayed her body happily, still smiling.
Adrian watched her small changes with amusement and helped her slowly get out of bed.
He grabbed the slippers from under the bed and slipped them onto her feet.
Riley deliberately wiggled her foot.
Adrian had no choice but to use a little force, holding her cold ankle. "Be good."
Riley's cheeks flushed as she looked down at Adrian concentrating.
Suddenly, Adrian pulled her hard, making Riley fall straight into his arms.
"Ah!" Riley gasped in surprise.
Adrian tightened his hold on her ankle, a faint smile curling at his lips. "Give me a kiss."
He leaned in closer to her lips, his gaze locked onto hers.
Riley tried to lean back, but Adrian's large hand grabbed the back of her head firmly. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Adrian…" Riley breathed shakily, staring at him with wide eyes.
Adrian nudged her head forward slightly. "Riley… will you?"
Riley looked into his eyes, panting softly, then pressed a quick kiss on his cheek before glancing away.
Adrian froze for a moment, then looked at the expression on her face. He noticed the door behind them had somehow closed and locked at some point. His gaze darkened with possessiveness.
"Riley… you brought this on yourself." Adrian pushed her down beneath him, brushing her cold nape before biting gently onto her shoulder. "Riley…"
Outside the room, Yudy tried the door.
It was locked.
He looked helplessly toward Chloe in the kitchen, forced a dry smile. "Chloe… are you hungry?"
"Not really." Chloe finished packing away the untouched dishes. Clearly, Adrian and Riley wouldn't be eating anymore tonight.
"Beep beep—"
Both Chloe and Yudy turned toward the door.
May Miller walked in with several bags, the smell of barbecue wafting in.
"Chloe, I'm back!"
She paused when she saw Yudy standing stiffly in the corner. She checked her watch. "Yudy, you're here too."
She lifted the bags. "Want some?"
Chloe looked at Yudy as well, a bit hopeful.
Yudy checked the time. 10 p.m…
He recalled the contract termination he'd signed earlier that afternoon. His expression dimmed slightly before he let out a long sigh. "Sure."
He stepped forward and took the bags from May. "I'll help you carry them."
May shot Chloe a surprised look, pointing at Yudy, who was behaving strangely.
Chloe didn't answer. She just patted May's shoulder and guided her to the table.
May sat down and watched Yudy unpack the barbecue seasoning. Her eyes widened little by little.
Her earlier concern for him slowly turned into pure excitement at the sight of food.
Chloe sat beside her with a plate, grabbing a few skewers and placing them aside—saving them for Adrian and Riley.
May followed along, adding several pieces of Riley's favorite pork tenderloin.
Yudy watched the two of them fuss over Riley and smiled from the heart. "Thank you."
He picked up the beer May bought and poured himself a glass. "A toast to you both."
He raised the cup. "Thank you… for taking care of Riley all these years."
Then he downed the entire glass.
Chloe smiled and nudged May with her elbow, raising her cup. "You're welcome. And thank you too, Yudy, for looking after us all this time."
The three of them chatted through the night, watching the dark lights outside while eating warm, fragrant barbecue.
After a long while, Adrian finally opened the door.
The smell of alcohol hit him instantly.
He frowned and stepped into the living room, seeing the three of them slumped over, drunk.
Chloe lifted her head at the sound, wobbling slightly as she handed him the plate she had prepared earlier. "Saved these for you two."
Adrian smiled faintly. "Thank you."
He went to the kitchen and took out some milk, warmed it in the microwave, and brought everything back to the room.
Riley sat with her waist bent slightly, leaning against the bed. Her eyes lit up when she saw the plate of barbecue, though she still couldn't sit up properly, her waist ached.
"Did May bring this?" Riley tried to sit, and Adrian helped her, adding a pillow behind her lower back.
"Mm." He tucked the blanket around her stomach. Seeing her appetite open up told him her mood had improved.
Adrian opened a drawer, took out her medication, and held one pill up to her. "Medicine."
Riley obediently leaned forward, took the pill, and swallowed it with the water he handed her.
Adrian smiled, then finished the leftovers while watching her drink her milk.
He laid her back down gently. "Sleepy?"
She had slept the entire day, so she was wide-awake now, her big eyes sparkling.
Adrian gently rubbed her head. "Wait for me."
He stepped out, cleaning up the plates and blanket with cold running water numbing his fingers.
When he finished and returned, he saw Riley sitting up, watching him. A soft warmth rose in his chest.
He slipped under the blanket beside her, leaning against the headboard as he opened his laptop to deal with work.
Several urgent emails glowed with exclamation marks. He raised a brow and clicked casually.
Leonard Sterling's call came through immediately.
"Adrian, how's your wife?" Leonard sounded impatient.
The voices of friends chattering loudly in the background, clearly Caleb Montgomery.
"She's fine now," Adrian said, glancing at Riley curled against his chest.
"Adrian! Adrian! Where's Riley?! I want to talk to her!" Caleb's voice exploded through the receiver after snatching the phone.
Adrian placed the phone by Riley's ear, smiling as she hugged his waist tightly. "Caleb's looking for you."