After hanging up abruptly, Adrian dropped his phone angrily on the table, his jaw clenched.
"What is wrong?" Amelia asked, feigning innocence, even though her eyes gleamed with mischief.
She already overheard a bit of the conversation.
"Elena was in an accident and now in the hospital." Adrian replied to her flatly.
"Oh, is that so?" Amelia asked, trying to sound shocked but was failing woefully.
"So, is she dead already?" She blurted out, her voice laced with malice.
"Not yet, but maybe soon." Adrian replied in a cold tone.
That got Amelia smirking.
Then she leaned back, folding her arms.
"I really hope so. That would finally get rid of the obstacle between us." She stated.
"I agree." Adrian said, his lips curling into a faint, humorless smile.
~~~~~~~~~
The following day;
Elena lay in the hospital bed, her head resting against the pillow.
Thomas, the driver, stood by the window, arms crossed, while Lana sat in the chair beside Elena, offering the sick woman a warm smile.
"Are you feeling better now, ma'am?" Lana asked gently.
Elena nodded faintly.
"I suppose… but…" Her voice trailed off, and she glanced toward the door, her thoughts far away.
"But?" Lana prompted softly.
Elena cleared her throat before speaking up.
"Are… Are you sure my husband is okay?"
Lana's smile faltered slightly.
"Ma'am, you have asked me the same question for the umpteenth time in the few hours you woke up." Lana said and sighed but continued nevertheless.
"I have told you. Thomas spoke with him yesterday. He sounded fine. Just busy."
Elena turned her gaze to Thomas.
"Is that true, Thomas? Did you hear his voice? You know his voice, right? Of course, you do." Elena muttered the last part more to herself, with a nod.
Thomas shifted uncomfortably, recalling Adrian's irritated tone during their conversation.
"Yes, Mrs. Morrison. He sounded… busy." He paused, choosing his words carefully.
"But everything seemed fine." He added.
"Seemed fine?" Elena asked with a frown.
Thomas opened his mouth to elaborate but thought better of it.
"Yes, just busy." He maintained.
Elena sat up slightly, her eyes searching their faces.
"I don't understand… why hasn't he come then?"
Before either of them could answer, the door swung open. Adrian stepped inside, looking expressionless.
"Adrian!" Elena's face lit up with relief and joy.
Adrian walked closer slowly, his eyes scanning her body before settling on her eyes.
"You are okay." He said flatly, his expression cold.
Elena nodded eagerly.
"Yes… And I'm so glad you..."
"Are you sure you had an accident?" Adrian interrupted, his tone sharp.
"What?" Elena blinked in confusion.
"I asked if you really had an accident… or was it just a stunt to make me come home faster?" He retorted angrily.
Elena's mouth fell open in shock.
"What? Adrian… no! How could you think that?" She protested.
Lana and Thomas exchanged stunned glances, both speechless.
Adrian remained unflinching, his gaze fixed on Elena.
"I was worried and was ..." Elena managed to say, her voice trembling. "
"Worried enough to pull something like this?" Adrian cut her off.
"She thought you…" Lana started, stepping forward, but Elena raised a hand to stop her.
"Please, can you both give us a moment?" Elena requested.
Lana hesitated, glancing at Adrian, who gave no indication of objection. Thomas gave a small nod, and the two quietly left the room.
Once they were alone, Elena turned back to Adrian.
"Adrian… why would you think so low of me?" Her voice was soft, almost pleading.
He didn't respond immediately, pacing the room slowly.
"If you were in my shoes, what would you think?" He finally asked.
"What do you mean?" Elena looked at him, confused.
"I had to rush back... Cutting short everything I was doing. I rushed here because I thought my wife was seriously hurt. And then I walk in… and see you looking perfectly fine." Adrian said, sounding exasperated.
Elena's eyes widened. "Adrian, I—"
"Do you know how that looks?" He continued, his voice rising slightly.
"I didn't mean—"
"You didn't mean? You didn't think?" Adrian interrupted, narrowing his eyes.
Elena swallowed hard, her hands clutching the edge of the blanket.
"I was wrong. I'm sorry if I worried you. But it wasn't a stunt… I was in an accident." She said softly.
Adrian's eyes remained cold.
"I was worried because of the plane crash. I couldn't reach you. So, I thought something had happened to you." She explained.
"Then you drove out in the middle of the night?" Adrian raised a disbelieving eyebrow.
"Yes. I was scared." Elena nodded.
Adrian sighed in exasperation.
"I'm not a child, Elena. You should know I can take care of myself." He snapped.
Elena's heart sank. His words stung.
"I know, and I am sorry," She whispered apologetically.
"You should be!" Adrian shot back.
Elena swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his gaze.
"Those eyes used to hold warmth and love... What has changed?" She wondered inwardly.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Adrian finally shook his head, stepping back toward the door.
"You should rest." He said curtly.
"Adrian…" She called softly.
"Yes?" He paused, his hand resting on the door handle.
"I love you." She declared firmly. And for a split second, Adrian just stood still.
Afterwards, he nodded and made to open the door.
"You didn't say it back?" Elena commented.
The question stopped Adrian for a moment, and he seemed to be weighing his response.
"Does it matter?" He asked when he finally turned back.
Elena felt the air leave her lungs.
"Of course, it matters… you are my husband." She rushed out, her eyes widening in confusion.
He gave a faint, bitter smile.
"I used to be." He replied reluctantly.
"What? What does that mean?" Elena asked in a shaky voice.
"You will figure it out, soon." He said, finally opening the door and stepping out.
"Adrian!" Elena called out in panic but he didn't look back.
Elena sat frozen for a moment, her mind racing.
"What is happening?" She whispered to herself sullenly, her hands trembling.
Suddenly, the machine monitoring her heart rate started to beep
erratically.
Her chest tightened, breath coming in short gasps.
"H... Help..." She whispered weakly as the room started to spin.
The heart monitor's beeping slowed...