Chapter 26: Unfinished Business
The gentle hum of the hospital’s air conditioning was the only sound that filled the quiet room. Ethan had been asleep for two days after first waking up, and though Adrian had been relieved beyond measure, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy. It was like watching a fragile flame flicker, uncertain when the wind might blow it out again.
Adrian sat by Ethan’s bedside, his fingers gently stroking Ethan’s hand, his thoughts swirling in confusion and dread. He couldn’t shake the memory of Anshi’s words from the other night—their venom, their cruelty. It had haunted him ever since.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and the doctor entered, clipboard in hand. Adrian snapped out of his daze, his eyes immediately locking onto the physician as he approached the bed.
"How is he?" Adrian asked, his voice hoarse from lack of sleep.
The doctor checked Ethan’s vitals, nodding slowly as he made notes on the chart. "His condition is stable," the doctor said, his tone calm and measured. "It’s not uncommon for someone who’s been in a coma for a prolonged period to drift in and out of consciousness for a while. His body is adjusting, regaining its strength."
Adrian frowned, the anxiety still gnawing at his chest. "So... he’ll wake up again soon?"
The doctor gave a reassuring smile. "Yes, he will. Right now, it’s just his body’s way of healing itself. I would say give it another day or two at most. When he wakes up again, he should be more alert, and recovery will be faster from there."
Adrian let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. "Thank you, doctor."
The doctor nodded, glancing down at Ethan once more before turning to leave the room. "Take care of yourself too, Mr. Hudel. You’ve been under a lot of stress."
Adrian gave a small smile. "I will."
After the doctor left, Adrian sat back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Ethan’s peaceful face. Despite the doctor’s reassurances, the pit in his stomach remained. He knew Ethan was strong, but something about the past few days had unsettled him deeply.
Just then, the door opened again, and this time it was Mathew who stepped in, his usual confident smile in place. He carried a bag of fresh fruits and waved at Adrian as he walked over to the small table by the window.