Chapter 384

Vivian's eyes widened in astonishment at his declaration. It struck a chord—having Adrian's unwavering support had softened her edges, diminishing that fearless impulsiveness she used to wield like armor.

Noticing her reaction, Adrian abandoned any thought of teasing. His voice turned tender. "Don't overthink it. I've got your back, always. Follow your instincts."

"Mistakes don't scare me anymore. Even if you stumble, I'll be there to catch you."

"Okay," Vivian breathed, clinging to him until her phone vibrated between them. She flashed the screen at him. "It's Margaret."

The moment she answered, Margaret's clipped tone crackled through. "Why aren't you upstairs yet? Save the sweet talk for later."

"I know, Margaret," Vivian replied.

"Third floor. Now." The line went dead before Vivian could respond.

Reluctantly disentangling from Adrian's embrace, she laced their fingers together. "Come on. Margaret's patience has its limits."

As the elevator doors parted on the third floor, two nurses' animated whispers floated from the nurses' station.

"Dr. Harrison's vitality supplements outperform those blue pills. I'm buying three boxes for my husband tonight."

"Smart move! Remember Mrs. Pembroke? Her husband went from two minutes to twenty after one bottle."

"Men are so sensitive about performance. If I hand him these outright, he'll assume I'm complaining."

"Just repackage them in multivitamin bottles. Works every time."

"Genius!"

Vivian's cheeks burned when she caught Adrian's amused smirk. "Didn't realize hospital gossip was your guilty pleasure."

"I'm not—" She huffed, avoiding his gaze. "Just gathering intel. What if you ever need... assistance?"

Adrian's expression darkened with mischief.

He closed the distance, his breath warm against her ear. "Sweetheart, haven't you personally verified my... capabilities?"

His fingers slipped beneath her blouse, tracing electrifying patterns along her spine. She jerked away, scanning for witnesses. "Are you insane?" Cameras dotted the ceiling, and staff bustled nearby.

Her flustered reaction only fueled his playfulness. Adrian reeled her back, his arms forming an inescapable cage. "What does it look like I'm doing?" His voice dropped to a sinful murmur that made her knees weak.

"You're impossible!" Vivian gasped, shoving against his chest.