Chapter 248
Adam lunged instantly, wheeling forward to catch her upper body w his arms before she could hit the floor. Raw panic flashed across his face before hardening into determination.
“She’s completely wiped out,” he said, voice steady despite the trem underneath. After checking her pulse and breathing, he looked up sharply. “Thomas, car?”
Thomas immediately stepped forward, taking Irene from Adam’s arms. In that moment, something dark and painful crossed Adam’s face–a flash of pure frustration at his inability to lift her himself, to be the one protecting her. The helplessness tightened his jaw, but he quickly locked those feelings away, a reaction he’d practiced countless times since making his decision about Irene.
Staff began buzzing anxiously as Matthew moved forward. “I should take care of her. I’m a doctor.”
“She’s coming to Emerald Garden,” Adam cut him off, his gaze arctic Lawrence is already on his way.” Thomas held Irene carefully while Adam’s eyes never left her face.
Matthew’s expression tivisted with worry and reluctance. “Let me come with you. She’s my-”
“You need to get Little Bell safely to a hospital,” Adam interrupted. “That’s what Irene would want.” Matthew couldn’t argue with
that.
The tension followed them as Thomas carried Irene through the corridor with Adam rolling close behind. Children and staff parted Like a sea, their faces pinched with worry.
“Is Doctor Lady gonna be okay?” a small voice piped up–Little Bell’s friend, eyes wide with fear.
Adam paused, something softening briefly in his expression. “She’ll be fine. She’s like a superhero who used up all her power saving your friend. Heroes just need to recharge sometimes.”
The children’s shoulders relaxed as Adam nodded to Thomas to continue. They moved through the building and out into the cool evening air where a sleek car waited with doors already open.
At the vehicle, Thomas carefully settled Irene onto the back seat. Adam supervised every movement like a hawk. “Watch her head… that’s it…” Though his face remained calm, his eyes betrayed a storm–the familiar frustration of wanting to do something so simple yet being unable to.
Once she was settled, Adam tucked a blanket around her and gently brushed hair from her face. His expression shifted into something that appeared more often these days when he looked at her–tenderness mingled with determination.
Glancing back toward the welfare institute entrance, he caught Matthew watching them, his face showing that he’d read everything in Adam’s expression–recognition, concern, and something like surrender.
“Take care of her,” Matthew called simply.
Adam gave a single nod, acknowledging both the request and the unspoken concession. After Thomas helped him into the car, the doors closed, and the vehicle glided away toward Emerald Garden.
Inside, Adam held Irene’s limp hand, watching her pale face as familiar emotions resurfaced. The streetlights flashed rhythmically across her features, highlighting the dark shadows beneath her eyes and the slight furrow that remained even in unconsciousness- always carrying the weight of others, even in sleep.
He felt the now–familiar ache of frustration at his limitations, particularly in moments like this when he wanted nothing more than to be the one carrying her to safety. Yet as he watched her breathe the woman who had crashed into his carefully ordered life with three children and endless complications–he was reminded of the decision he’d already made. He would tell her everything once he could stand on his own two feet again, once he could offer her not just his heart but his strength as well.
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Chapter 248
For now, he simply held her hand tighter, a silent promise that even if he couldn’t carry her today, someday he would. And until then, he would catch her wherever she fell.
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