Chapter 008

I stammered, trying to find the words. "I thought… maybe if I kissed you…"

He cut me off, his tone mocking. “Maybe I’d wake up?” He shook his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, and I felt my face flush with embarrassment.

The doctors came and went, each one checking his vitals, while Adrian grew more impatient with each visit. Finally, as another doctor adjusted his IV, Adrian snapped, “Is this the last of it? Or are there more pointless treatments?”

Trying to calm him, I stepped forward. “They’re only making sure you’re okay.”

He fixed me with a cold stare. “Do you honestly believe that?”

I hesitated. "Are… are you feeling any discomfort in your legs?" I asked, shifting the conversation.

His expression stayed flat. “You don’t need to pretend to be nice to me.”

“Why not?”

“Because,” he replied sharply, “nice people get steamrolled.”

I stared at him, shocked by his bitterness. “That’s not true.”

“Oh, really?” He arched a brow. “When has being nice ever benefited you?”

I