Inside the car, Adrian turned his head to study Riley. She hugged her stuffed bunny close, her face as innocent as ever. A flicker of doubt crossed his narrowed eyes.
"Weren't you scared just now?"
Riley shook her head. "Nope! I'm a hero. I had to go rescue Hubby from being kidnapped—I couldn't be scared."
So that's why…
Something softened in his gaze, a trace of guilt slipping through. "I'm sorry. I won't scare you like that again."
Riley just giggled foolishly, offering no reply.
After a brief pause, Adrian asked, "Where did you go these past two days?"
Riley blinked, her expression utterly sincere. "I don't know. I think I just took a nap… and when I woke up, I was back."
Adrian's eyes locked onto her, searching her face for a long moment.
He found nothing out of place.
With a quiet sigh, he let it go.
If a fool knew the answer, she wouldn't be a fool.
My expectations aren't high.
As long as she had come back, that was enough.
That night, Adrian held her just as firmly as before, leaving her no room to breathe.
As for Riley, she sulked the entire night.
***
Early the next morning.
Adrian headed to the airport.
"Adrian, it's time to go through security," Lucas reminded.
The boarding announcement had already begun.
Lucas looked at Adrian, who had been sitting there since they arrived, and frowned in confusion.
That expression…
Is he waiting for someone?
No way.
He's not waiting for that silly wife of his… right?
The thought made Zachary's eyes widen in shock.
Don't tell me he actually likes that fool now?
Lucas turned his head—only to find Zachary wearing the exact same stunned expression.
Their mouths both dropped open into identical O-shapes before they silently looked away at the same time.
Adrian's gaze remained distant, fixed on the airport entrance.
Even he didn't quite understand what he was waiting for.
When the final boarding call echoed through the terminal, he finally looked away.
"Let's go."
But no matter how you looked at it, there was a faint trace of loneliness in his voice.
Derek pushed his wheelchair forward.
And then—
From behind them, a bright, clear voice rang out.
"Hubby! Wait—I'm here!"
Riley came running in, full speed, clutching a large plush toy in one arm and carrying a box in the other—who knew what was inside.
The moment he saw her, the coldness on Adrian's face melted into a faint smile.
Riley rushed up to him, bending over as she caught her breath. "Hah… hah… sorry I'm late. Traffic was bad."
Everyone around them instinctively rubbed their noses.
Does she even know what traffic means?
Riley didn't care what anyone thought. After catching her breath, she handed him the box.
"What's this?" Adrian asked, eyeing the unevenly wrapped package. It had zero aesthetic appeal, with a few poorly arranged wildflowers stuck on top—clearly picked from the roadside.
Riley blinked. "I made some pastries! You can eat them on the way."
Derek almost wanted to point out that the trip would only take two hours.
But to everyone's shock, Adrian accepted it without hesitation.
He didn't question how she knew how to bake. A faint smile curved his lips, like ice thawing under sunlight.
"Alright."
He just accepted it like that?
Everyone stared, stunned.
Adrian was notoriously picky. That box was, frankly, an eyesore.
No one could understand how his attitude had shifted so completely.
Seeing him take it, Riley beamed. With a quick motion, she tugged open her jacket and reached inside.
Zachary frowned. That's… a bit much to look at.
Lucas leaned forward curiously. What's she trying to do? That expression… don't tell me she's about to pull out a bomb…
Adrian lifted his gaze and shot them both a cold look.
A silent warning burned in his eyes.
Show some respect. Ever heard of "look away"?