Adrian's hands balled into fists at his sides as he leaned against the doorframe. The raw pain in her voice cut deeper than any wound he'd ever endured. He had faced countless battles in his life, but none had left him feeling so utterly powerless.
He stepped into the room but kept his distance, his imposing presence a silent shadow in the corner. His sharp gaze softened as it lingered on Joi. Her fragile state, the emptiness in her eyes—this wasn't the Joi he knew.
Adrian had always been a man who took control, who bent the world to his will. But now, control meant nothing. This wasn't a problem he could solve with strategy or force. She didn't need a savior who could fight her battles; she needed someone who could wait, someone who could endure the ache of watching her struggle and offer quiet strength.
Emily glanced over at Adrian, her tear-streaked face filled with an unspoken plea. "She'll come back to us," she said, though her voice trembled with doubt.
Adrian gave a small nod, though the weight in his chest felt unbearable. His jaw tightened as he forced himself to remain steady, his pain hidden behind a mask of resolve.
For the first time in his life, Adrian realized there was no plan, no strategy that could guarantee the outcome he wanted. All he could do was be there, hoping against hope that one day, the light in her eyes would return—and she'd remember who he was.
---
Weeks passed, and Adrian received an urgent tip: Shane was planning a bold move to abduct Joi from the hospital. The information sent a chill through him, but it also ignited a fire. He immediately doubled the hospital's security, stationing his men at every entrance, ready for any threat.
Shane, however, was growing desperate. His plans were unraveling, and Adrian was always one step ahead. But desperation made him reckless. One night, he sent a team of men to storm the hospital, their mission clear—reclaim Joi at any cost.
Adrian, having anticipated the attack, was prepared. His men intercepted Shane's team in the parking lot, the clash erupting into a violent confrontation. The sound of gunfire echoed through the night, muffled by the thick walls of the hospital, but inside, the atmosphere grew tense.
In her room, Joi stirred uneasily, the muffled chaos triggering a deep, primal fear. Her fractured mind couldn't separate past from present. When a distant shout reached her ears, panic overtook her.
She bolted from the bed, her bare feet skidding on the cold tile as she fled down a dimly lit corridor. Her hospital gown flared behind her as her heart thundered in her chest.
"Joi!" Adrian's voice rang out behind her, sharp and commanding. He was already chasing her, his long strides closing the distance quickly.
But Joi didn't stop. Her mind was a storm of confusion and terror, her vision blurred by unshed tears. To her, every shadow was a threat, every sound an echo of Marcus's cruelty.
"Joi, stop!" Adrian shouted again, but she only pushed herself harder, her body trembling with exhaustion.
When Adrian finally caught up to her, she stumbled and collapsed into his arms, her breath hitching in ragged sobs. Her fingers clutched desperately at his shirt as if anchoring herself to reality.
"Please," she whispered, her voice broken and hoarse, "don't let him take me."
Adrian's arms tightened around her protectively, his heart clenching at her vulnerability. He tilted his head down, his lips brushing her temple as he spoke, his voice low and fierce. "I won't let anyone hurt you, Joi. You're safe with me. Always."
She buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt. Adrian held her firmly, his resolve hardening. Shane had crossed a line, and Adrian would ensure that his rival never had the chance to harm Joi ever again.
---
The weeks stretched on, each day feeling like a battle against the shadows lingering in Joi's mind. Her therapy sessions were grueling, dredging up buried fears and fragile memories. Adrian rarely left the hospital, always nearby, even when she couldn't recognize him.
Joi remained distant, her eyes often unfocused as though she were trapped in a reality only she could see. But small moments began to break through the haze—moments that Adrian clung to like lifelines.
One quiet afternoon, as the sunlight filtered through the blinds, Adrian sat beside her bed, silently flipping through a book. His presence was steady, unassuming, a constant in her fractured world.
Joi stirred, her gaze drifting to his hand resting on the edge of the bed. Slowly, almost hesitantly, she reached out, her fingers brushing against his.
Adrian froze, his heart pounding. Her touch was light, tentative, but it was a connection—a bridge to the woman he knew she still was beneath the pain.
"Do I know you?" Joi's voice was soft, fragile, as if the words themselves might shatter her.
Adrian swallowed the lump in his throat, forcing a small, reassuring smile. "You will," he said gently, his voice steady despite the ache in his chest. "In time."
Joi's hand lingered for a moment longer before retreating, her expression still clouded with uncertainty. But Adrian didn't let go of the glimmer of hope her touch had ignited.
The road to recovery stretched endlessly before them, daunting and fraught with challenges. Yet, for the first time since that harrowing night, Adrian felt the faint stirrings of optimism. She might not remember him now, but he would stay by her side until she did—or until she was ready to rebuild her life, memory by memory.
---
Weeks after Joi's hospital stay, Adrian made a pivotal decision. Joi's fragmented memory offered a rare opportunity—she remembered her family. Though hesitant, he decided to reach out to them, hoping it might spark her recovery.
Joi's Samsung Galaxy Fold lay untouched; she didn't remember her password, let alone that the device belonged to her. Adrian sifted through its contacts after unlocking it, but the absence of entries like "Mom" or "Dad" was glaring. Left with no other choice, he approached Joi cautiously, choosing his words carefully.
"Joi," he began, his tone measured, "do you remember where your father lives?"
Her lips trembled as emotions surfaced. "Yes… I think so," she whispered, then hesitated before reciting an address.
Adrian nodded and approached the doctor about discharging her. After deliberation, the doctor approved, with a caveat. "She must return for regular checkups. If reconnecting with her family helps stabilize her emotionally, it's worth pursuing."
Adrian's private jet soared toward Spain, carrying him, Joi, Emily, and Alexander. The journey felt heavy with unspoken tension. Emily, having taken a month's leave to help, sensed the emotional weight this reunion would carry. She was painfully aware of the volatile relationship Joi had with her family and worried how it would affect her recovery.
When the plane landed, Joi clung to Adrian, her grip tightening as they approached her old neighborhood. The familiarity of the streets and homes made her heart race, fear gripping her chest like a vice.
At the doorstep of her father's house, Adrian knocked. The door creaked open to reveal a woman with sharp features and bold, pepper-red lipstick. Her eyes swept over Joi and Adrian with disdain.
"Well, look who decided to crawl back," the woman sneered. "Lora! Your prodigal sister is here!"
Emily stepped forward, her tone cutting. "You must be Mrs. Kate."
"Who are you people, and why are you dragging that good-for-nothing girl back here?" Kate snapped, glaring at Joi with venom.