Chapter 11(Tori P.O.V)

I could feel his stare burning into me. I could sense his pain, the weight of everything he had been through. His sister needed a new lung, or she would die.

“I understand,” he said quietly, then left the room.

A strange loneliness settled over me. Why did it feel so heavy just because a stranger had gone? Who was this man, and why was he making me feel… something I shouldn’t feel? I couldn’t risk falling for anyone, especially not here.

I closed my eyes. Footsteps echoed- my heart jumped. I expected Zayn or Dr. Kingston, but it was Adrian. He approached calmly, holding something out.

“Here,” he said.

I opened my eyes and looked at his hand. A can.

“It’s fruit juice,” he explained. “Has all the supplements you need.”

I stared at it, unsure even how to open it. He leaned down and popped it open for me. The scent that reached me made my chest tighten- clean, warm, comforting.

“What’s your name?” I asked instead.

“Adrian.”

“Can I call you Ad?”

He smiled. “Sure.”

I drank, feeling the refreshment flow through me. “Thank you,” I said, actually smiling this time.

“You look beautiful when you smile,” he said, a smirk tugging at his lips.

“Maybe,” I replied, rolling my eyes.

“You’re not much of a talker,” I noted.

“Everything changed when Mom died,” he said softly.

“Oh… I’m sorry,” I murmured, instantly wishing I hadn’t brought it up.

“I have to check on my sister,” he said, moving to switch off the light.

“Don’t!” I yelled. The darkness made my chest tighten; nightmares came whenever I was awake alone.

“I’m scared of the dark,” I admitted when he flinched at my voice.

“I’m sorry I didn’t ask before,” he said softly.

“It’s fine,” I whispered. He smiled gently.

“Bye,” he said, leaving.

“Bye,” I murmured, the room sinking into darkness and silence again. I thought of Adrian. He was reserved, careful… kind. But I had to stay alert.

The door opened. Footsteps. I tensed, thinking it was Adrian- but Zayn’s booming voice filled the room. I closed my eyes and released my grip on the tube, bracing myself.

“How dare Judith!” Zayn roared, his anger piercing. “After everything I did for her, she wanted to kill Tori? She deserves a place in h£ll!”

“You should calm down,” Dr. Kingston said, patting Zayn’s back. “She’s already dead, just like you wanted.”

Zayn moved toward me and held my hands. “I’m sorry, Tori… for all of this. But I need what’s mine. I know you’re mad, and no apology will fix it. I’ve put your life in danger so many times, caused you so much pain. And all you’ve done… is love and trust me as your blood brother.”

“Get your hands off me, you son of a b!tch,” I thought, seething. I didn’t need his apology.

“What do I tell Iris?” Zayn asked, sighing heavily. “She suspects I’m hiding something, and I can’t do anything… she’s pregnant with my baby.”

“I’d send some men to keep an eye on her,” Dr. Kingston suggested, patting Zayn’s shoulder.

“There’s no need,” Zayn said softly. “I care about her.”

So he’s going to be a father soon… I thought, a pang of strange excitement hitting me. I would’ve loved to meet his wife, to feel like an aunt- but I didn’t even know who she was. And honestly… I wasn’t looking forward to seeing the baby.

“Go away, Zayn,” I muttered.

It was as if he heard me. He left, Dr. Kingston following, and I was alone again, back in my glass tube, cut off from reality.

I’d stay awake… waiting for Adrian. He was the one who could pull me out of this h£ll.