Chapter 98.
Adrian stood outside the grand Levistis manor, his heart heavy with a mixture of dread and longing. The towering gates loomed before him, as imposing as the weight of the secrets and burdens he carried. The crisp evening air bit at his skin, but he barely noticed; his thoughts were consumed by the man who lay inside, the man he had come to see.
The manor was eerily quiet as Adrian stepped inside. Its halls, which once echoed with life and laughter, now felt cold and lifeless. His footsteps resonated against the marble floors as he made his way to the room he hadn’t visited in months. The room where Ethan lay.
His hands trembled as he pushed open the door to their bedroom. The sight before him made his breath hitch. Ethan lay on the large, ornate bed, his once vibrant and commanding presence reduced to a frail, motionless form. Tubes and IV drips were attached to his arm, and machines quietly hummed around him, monitoring every fragile beat of his heart.
Adrian froze at the threshold, his knees nearly giving out beneath him. Tears welled in his silver eyes as he took in the sight of the man he loved—the man who had always been a pillar of strength and vitality. Seeing Ethan like this was a cruel reminder of how much had changed, how much had been taken from them.
Slowly, Adrian stepped into the room, his movements hesitant as if afraid that even the slightest disturbance could shatter the fragile peace surrounding Ethan. He walked to the edge of the bed and knelt down, his fingers trembling as they reached for Ethan’s hand.
"Why..." Adrian’s voice was barely a whisper, choked with emotion. "Why does everything happen behind my back? Why can’t I be with you when you need me the most?"
His grip on Ethan’s hand tightened as he spoke, his tears spilling freely now. "You’ve always been there for me, Ethan. Always. And yet, when it’s your turn to lean on me, I’m not there. I’m never there."
He lowered his head, his tears falling onto the pristine white sheets. "I hate this. I hate feeling so helpless. I hate that I couldn’t protect you."
Adrian’s shoulders shook as he sobbed, his regret and guilt pouring out in waves. He had always prided himself on his strength, on his ability to face any challenge head-on. But now, standing here before the man he loved, he felt powerless. Useless.
"I should’ve known," he murmured. "I should’ve done more. I should’ve fought harder. If I had... maybe you wouldn’t be lying here like this."
His voice cracked, and he buried his face in Ethan’s hand, his tears soaking into the skin. "I’m sorry, Ethan. I’m so, so sorry."
For a long while, Adrian stayed like that, his emotions overwhelming him. He whispered more regrets, his words a mix of apologies and promises. But eventually, his tears began to slow, and a strange calm settled over him.