Chapter 319: Instinct
’Melanie’ opened her eyes slowly, wincing at the dull, persistent pain that radiated through her entire body. Every limb ached, and even the simple act of blinking felt like an effort. She had been slapped, shoved, and thrown out of the car after the accident- and it had taken every last ounce of strength, sheer willpower, and desperation to stumble her way to the hospital before collapsing just inside the entrance.
Now, as her vision adjusted to the sterile white of the hospital room, her gaze swept the space cautiously, her heart picking up speed at the unfamiliar surroundings. Then her eyes landed on something-someone- that made it skip altogether.
Adam.
He was sitting there, right next to her bed, his head tilted forward, eyes closed, as if he’d been keeping vigil for hours. His presence caught her off guard and yet warmed her as she realized her situation. It had ben spur of the moment thing. When those people had asked for her name, her intuition had somehow warned her... It was such a stroke of luck.
As she stared at him, she wanted to say something, ask him why he was there, how long he had been sitting like that and where Melanie was, but her throat was far too dry, and the words died before they even reached her lips.
A faint sound escaped her anyway and somehow, Adam seemed to sense it immediately. His eyes opened sharply, focused on her in an instant. Without a word, he reached for the water jug on the side table, poured a glass, and brought it carefully to her lips, guiding the straw so she could drink. His movements were quiet, gentle, but practiced—almost like he’d been waiting for her to wake up.
She sipped slowly, her eyes never leaving his face as she came to a realisation... He thought she was Melanie...
She sipped slowly, her eyes never leaving his face as she felt the butterflies in her stomach at his care. All she’d wanted was to take place Melanie’s place in his life. There were so many nights she had only thought of that... and now that could be true. This was fate. It had to be. That is why when questioned about her name, she had said her name was Melanie. To the kidnappers and to the hospital staff.
When she had drunk enough, she let the straw fall from her lips and she watched as he moved his hand away. To make sure that what she was thinking was, in fact true, she quickly reached out with trembling fingers and wrapped her hand around his wrist.
She hald expected him to throw her hand away, but then, he turned his hand around, and held hers... She was exhilerated.