When Adrian left, the room felt empty.
Too quiet.
Too still.
Lucy stood there for a while, staring at the door.
Waiting.
Without even realizing it.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
He didn't come back.
Slowly… she exhaled.
A small relief settled in her chest.
"Good," she whispered to herself.
"I needed space…"
She stepped out of the room.
This time, no one stopped her.
The mansion felt different without him.
Lighter.
Easier to breathe in.
Lucy walked down the hallway slowly, her fingers brushing lightly against the wall as she moved.
She didn't rush.
She didn't think too much.
She just… moved.
She found herself in the sitting area.
A book was lying on the table.
She picked it up.
At first, she couldn't focus.
Her mind kept drifting.
But after a while…
The words started making sense.
She sat down.
Turned a page.
Then another.
For the first time that day—
Her chest didn't feel so tight.
A staff passed by.
Lucy looked up and gave a small smile.
"Good afternoon," the lady said politely.
Lucy nodded. "Good afternoon."
The woman hesitated for a second, surprised.
Lucy never really interacted like this before.
"Do you need anything, ma'am?" she asked.
Lucy shook her head.
"No… but do you?"
The staff blinked.
Then smiled slightly.
Lucy stood up after a while and followed her to the kitchen.
"I can help," Lucy said.
The workers looked at each other, confused.
"Ma'am… you don't have to—"
"I know," Lucy replied softly. "I just want to."
And for a moment—
She forgot everything.
She helped where she could.
Passed things around.
Even laughed a little when one of them joked about her cutting vegetables too slowly.
It felt normal.
Simple.
And she liked it.
For the first time since morning—
She smiled without forcing it.
Then—
Everything changed.
The front doors opened loudly.
Heavy footsteps.
Fast.
Urgent.
Men rushed in.
Guards.
Voices overlapping.
Lucy froze.
"What's going on?" one of the staff whispered.
Then she saw him.
Adrian.
Covered in blood.
The glass in Lucy's hand slipped.
It shattered on the floor.
Her heart dropped.
"Adrian…"
Tears filled her eyes instantly.
Without thinking—
She ran.
"Move!" she said, pushing past the guards.
She reached him.
Her eyes scanned his body.
Then she saw it.
A deep wound in his chest.
Her breath hitched.
"Adrian…" her voice broke.
Without caring about the blood, she held him.
Her hands trembling.
At that moment—
Nothing else mattered.
Not the fight.
Not her anger.
Not last night.
Only him.
Something inside her shifted completely.
"I'm here," she whispered, almost like she was convincing herself.
Adrian looked at her.
Even in that state—
He noticed.
"I thought you were mad at me," he said slowly.
"And needed me to stay away from you?"
Lucy's head snapped up.
Her eyes filled with anger.
"Shut up, you idiot!" she yelled.
Everyone froze.
Lucy turned sharply to the others.
"So why are you all standing there?!" she shouted.
"Call the doctor!"
The house moved instantly.
Some ran for first aid.
Others grabbed their phones.
Voices filled the space again.
"Careful," a guard said as they helped Adrian.
Lucy stayed close.
Not letting go.
"Take him upstairs," she ordered.
They listened.
They led him to his room.
Once they got there—
The guards stepped out immediately.
The door closed.
Silence.
Lucy stood in front of him, her hands shaking.
Then slowly—
She moved closer.
Her fingers reached his shirt.
Carefully.
Gently.
She started taking it off.
Slowly, trying not to hurt him more.
Adrian didn't stop her.
Didn't say a word.
He just watched her.
Tears rolled down her cheeks again.
She didn't even try to stop them this time.
Adrian lifted his hand and touched her face lightly.
"Why are you crying?" he asked quietly.
"You wanted me to stay away from you."
Lucy looked at him immediately.
Anger flashing through her tears.
"So you left this house in good shape," she said, her voice shaking,
"and came back looking like this?"
She stepped closer.
Her eyes locked on his.
"Who on earth will be happy watching her man leave the house fine…"
"…and come back covered in blood and wounds, Mr Adrian?"
Silence.
Adrian froze.
For the first time—
He looked surprised.
"…Did you just say I'm your man?" he asked slowly.
A faint smirk tried to form despite the pain.
"Mrs Adrian?"
Lucy glared at him.
Even with tears still falling.
"Adrian," she said sharply,
"don't make me more mad than this."
For a second—
Neither of them looked away.
The tension between them changed.
Softer.
Deeper.
Then—
A knock.
The door opened.
"The doctor is here," someone said.
Lucy stepped back slightly, wiping her tears quickly.
But she didn't leave.
She stayed right there.
Close to him.
Like she wasn't going anywhere anymore.