Chapter 362

"I won't go back to being that person." Vivian's voice was firm as she carefully chose her next words. "If you can't accept that—"

Adrian cut her off with a raised hand, his uninjured one, accompanied by an exhausted smile. "Okay, okay," he murmured. "I say one word and you counter with twenty. When did you become so feisty?"

He leaned back against the hospital pillows, lifting his bandaged arm with exaggerated effort. His lips were painfully dry as he gave her his best pitiful look. "I'm wounded. Saved your life, remember? Can't you show some mercy to your poor, bedridden husband?"

Vivian rolled her eyes but relented, her gaze flickering to his cracked lips. "Drink something," she ordered, pushing the water cup closer. "Your lips look like desert sand."

Adrian made no move to take it, tilting his head back dramatically. "No strength left."

With an exasperated sigh that didn't quite hide her amusement, Vivian picked up the cup and brought it to his lips. He took a small sip, then grimaced. "Too hot."

"Hot?" Vivian frowned. "It's barely warm."

"Don't believe me? Taste it yourself," Adrian challenged, offering the cup.

Vivian narrowed her eyes but humored him, leaning forward. Just as the cup neared her lips, Adrian moved it aside and in one fluid motion, pulled her in by the nape of her neck. His lips captured hers in a kiss that was demanding, urgent, and charged with unspoken emotions.

"Not here," Vivian protested weakly against his mouth, her hands pressing against his chest. "What if the nurse walks in?"

But Adrian only tightened his grip, his good arm sliding around her waist. "Don't move," he whispered hoarsely. "Hurts my arm."

The excuse was ridiculous, but effective. Vivian stopped resisting, her hands softening against him. Slowly, her fingers found their way behind his back, pulling him closer.

Their kiss deepened as the sterile hospital walls seemed to dissolve around them. Outside the door, Ethan paused mid-step, his hand hovering over the doorknob as he caught sight of the scene through the glass panel. A smirk tugged at his lips as he quietly retreated.

Later that evening, after Adrian's final anti-inflammatory injection, he stood to leave. Vivian hesitated. "Maybe you should stay one more night? Just to be safe."

Adrian's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Are you suggesting...we might find some entertainment here?" He let the implication hang in the air between them.

Meanwhile, Ethan, busy packing, missed the subtext entirely. "So what exactly are you planning, Mrs. Blackwood?"

Adrian's smirk widened as he echoed, "Yes, Mrs. Blackwood. What are you planning?"

Vivian shot him a glare that could melt steel. Only then did Ethan notice the charged atmosphere and realized his blunder. He quickly busied himself elsewhere.

When they finally arrived at Seabreeze Villa near midnight, the estate was unnaturally quiet. As they approached, raised voices carried from the front entrance. Vivian rolled down the car window, then turned to Adrian. "Were you expecting visitors?"

Adrian shook his head. "No one was invited."

The car pulled into the driveway, revealing Gwendolyn at the door with a disheveled man Vivian didn't recognize. The tension in the air was palpable.