It was a good thing that Gilmore was there despite his comically easygoing attitude.

With him scolding Adrian and Asher about disregarding Cassidy and her present condition, both of them felt so guilty that they decided to call it off in the meantime. Since she felt like her fever got worse because of that incident, she was really grateful to the doctor. If only she was in a better state, she would have smacked them off herself.

​​

Edward and Charles also did her the favor of dealing with the aftermath and moving the conversation outside of the room. That way, she would be able to rest peacefully. As much as she wanted to know what would happen, she could not handle any more of it. Otherwise, she would burn up so much that she might have to stay in the hospital for more than a week.

And so, Cassidy rested.

It took her until the afternoon of the next day to gain a much more bearable condition.

"Cecile? Cecile? Where are you...?" she moaned as she was stirring awake from her sleep.

"My stomach's rumbling. I'm hungry-"

"Now, that's not good. Here, I prepared something for you."

Instead of Cecile, the one who gets to greet her is Adrian.

Cassidy is taken aback the moment she opens her eyes and finds him sitting on a chair beside her bed. He appears to be reading a book with a pair of eyeglasses on that makes him look like one hot specimen. She blushes upon seeing that and getting attracted right away.

"Cassidy? What's wrong?" Adrian asked after noticing how unsettled she suddenly seemed.

"N-Nothing... I-It just sure is hot in here," Cassidy lied while averting her gaze.

"Really? Should I lower the temp of the AC, then?"

"It's fine. Maybe it's only the fever."

"Can you sit up? I'll feed you. You haven't really eaten much since last night."

"Huh? Y-You will... feed me?"

He assists her in getting a more comfortable and upright position before proceeding to fetch a bowl of what she thinks is soup or porridge. She only watches him in silence the whole time he is preparing her food, unknowingly charmed by how he has rolled up his sleeves and loosened his necktie for a bit. He looks more than ready to nurse her or something.

Nothing seems wrong until Adrian goes back to his seat and provides Cassidy a better look at him. That is when she finds a small bruise at the side of his lip.

"Your face... Is that from last night?" she blurted out, staggering and paling a little.

"Oh, this...?" he replied and realized that he must not have perfectly covered his bruise.

"I'm alright. This is nothing."

"You two really took it too far."

While he lowered his head in shame and guilt, she only heaved a sigh and stared at him in understanding. She is aware that he is a short-tempered one, but he knows better than engaging in something like a fistfight out of all things. It's also rare of him to let his emotions take over to that extent.

"I didn't like how that slimy guy sneaked in and touched you that time. I also hates his guts..." Adrian started once more before looking up to her again with an apologetic expression.

"Forgive me for losing out of control back there, and for showing you such a sight when you are in this state. I promise I'll learn to control myself next time."

For some reason, hearing him apologize like that makes her feel bad as well.

It's not really that unusual of him to be this ashamed and conscience-stricken in front of her, but it still seems a whole new look on him every time he does it. She thinks that there is no use in staying this troubled about everything that concerns her, though. That is especially since she only feels like she is wasting his time and efforts to display his earnestness and sincerity.

That being said, she finally decided to tell him about what she is planning.

"May I ask something...?" Cassidy questioned out of nowhere, surprising him with her gravelly serious tone.

"You keep telling me you care about me, and you do show that to me without fail. Then, will you also care to listen to what I truly want to happen... about us in particular?"

"I do more than care about you, Cassidy. I told you that I'd do anything you want me to, so of course, I'd listen to you..." Adrian answered before reaching out and grabbing her hand - their fingers intertwining together with gentle firmness.

"What is it do you want?"

"I want to be free."

At that second, he froze on his seat.

He doesn't need any further elaboration for that. The message is plain and clear - and so is the probable context. Though he did understand, he still found it difficult to accept. He wanted it to have a different meaning from what he was thinking.

"W-What are you saying?" Adrian breathed out with a look of perplexity and disbelief.

"I want to leave. I just don't think this is going to work. I'm not going to force you to divorce, but I'll still ask for it..." Cassidy continued, gripping the sheet of her bed and casting down her gaze.

"I understood that the one behind everything was that man. I also appreciated everything you did for me - for all of us. But then, I could no longer move forward at this point. Things are bound to get messed up again, and I don't want to get hurt anymore. I just... I just want to go on my own way."

"T-That... That can't be... Y-You're telling me you're..."

He did not want to say it out loud - else, he would break even more than he already was.

From that moment on, he feels like his life is being drained out of him. His entire expression drops and his figure slackens. Despite the thousand words that he wanted to say at that time, he was struck extremely numb - he was speechless and still.

He knew that he did what he could. It was still not everything, and it would never be enough to make up to anything. Still, he tried to show her how willing, genuine and determined he was. He wanted to keep her by his side and swore to make her happy this time around.

Adrian knows well that he doesn't deserve Cassidy, but he also knows that he needs her to live.