Chapter 17: A Promise of Protection
He turned slowly, and there, standing just a few feet away, was Ethan.
Unlike the Ethan lying motionless in the hospital bed, this Ethan looked strong, his presence solid and reassuring. His dark eyes held a quiet warmth, and there was a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Adrian’s heart skipped a beat at the sight.
It took him a moment to find his voice, the emotions from their previous encounters still fresh in his mind. He looked down, his hands fidgeting as he asked, almost hesitantly, "Why do you always protect me?"
Ethan didn’t hesitate. His answer was gentle, spoken with a calm certainty. "Because I like protecting you."
Adrian’s breath caught in his throat. The simplicity of the statement, the way it was delivered with such genuine affection, left him speechless. He looked up at Ethan, his silver eyes wide, a mix of surprise and something deeper swirling in their depths.
"You... you like protecting me?" Adrian repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. It was as if the idea had never even occurred to him before—that someone would willingly choose to protect him, not out of obligation, but out of affection.
Ethan’s smile softened, his gaze never wavering. "Yes," he replied, stepping closer. "I’ve always wanted to protect you, Adrian. From the moment I knew you were mine."
Adrian’s heart fluttered at the words, a blush rising to his cheeks.
He had never been anyone’s priority before—he had always been the one left behind, the one who had to fend for himself.
For a moment, he didn’t know what to say. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, questions bubbling to the surface.