Chapter 48: An Unforeseen Nurse
TERESA’S P.O.V.
It was early the next morning, Sunday morning to be exact, the sun barely filtered through the curtains when I heard a soft knock on my door. Groggy and still trying to shake off the remnants of sleep, I struggled to lift myself out of bed. My whole body felt achy, with a dull throb pulsing through my lower back, and nausea churned in my stomach, making even the thought of movement exhausting.
Curiosity got the best of me, and I dragged myself to the door, peering through the peephole. My foggy mind cleared instantly at the sight. Adrian? Standing outside my door at this hour? My heart skipped a beat, the nausea momentarily replaced by confusion and a hint of caution I couldn’t quite suppress. Why would he be here, especially so early? It was 7 am.
With a cautious tug, I cracked open the door. Adrian stood there, hands tucked casually into his pockets, his expression warm and reassuring. The early morning light framed him, making him look like he’d stepped right out of a classic romance novel—impeccably dressed, composed, and, somehow, both familiar and distant. He looked at me with an amused smile, his gaze sweeping over me gently.
"Teresa," he greeted, his voice a soft murmur, "I thought I might steal you away for that tour I promised."
A flush crept up my cheeks, and I instinctively pulled my robe tighter around me, feeling more than a little self-conscious. Here I was, bedraggled and nauseous, and he looked... perfect. "Adrian, I... um... I just woke up," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper.
His eyes softened as he looked closer, and his brows creased with concern. "Are you feeling well?" he asked, his tone deepening, as if coaxing out the truth with his steady warmth. "You look a bit... uncomfortable."
Before I could stop myself, the words spilled out. "It’s just... my back hurts, and I feel so nauseous, I can barely think." I attempted a weak laugh. "Pregnancy is quite the adventure."
Adrian’s eyes narrowed slightly with concern, his easy smile fading as he registered my discomfort. "You’re not well, you clearly need to rest," he murmured, a firmness in his voice that left no room for argument. With that said, I thought he was going to turn around and leave but without asking, he stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him, his presence immediately filling the room with a calm I didn’t know I needed but it was weird.
"Adrian, what are you—"
"Shh." He held up a finger, his gaze steady and gentle. "Just let me help you," he said, his tone so full of kindness that my resistance suddenly began to crumble. It was as though he had pulled me into a bubble of quiet compassion, and all the awkwardness of his sudden closeness mysteriously began fading, replaced by something else—something comforting.