Falling for the Goddess

Learn a Thing or Two, Adrian

Sara Hart looked at the stark white walls around her, confusion flickering in her eyes. "Where am I?"

"The hospital. You fainted from a fever," Adrian Blake explained briefly.

"How are you feeling now?" he asked, tucking the blanket around her and adjusting the IV drip. Her hand was icy cold, her pale skin making the thin veins on the back of her hand stand out - a reminder of how difficult it had been for the nurse to find a vein.

Sara recalled what happened before she fainted. She murmured softly, "I'm fine. Sorry for the trouble."

Adrian opened his mouth as if to say something, but hesitated. After a pause, his deep voice finally emerged. "The doctor said your wound is infected. I'm sorry."

Wound? Sara blinked, her cheeks suddenly flushing as she realized what he meant. She averted her eyes, feeling awkward and uneasy.

For a while, neither spoke. Then Adrian broke the silence again, his tone steady. "Sara, I don't know why you agreed to marry me, but about last night... I will take responsibility."

"If you're willing, I'll do my best to be a good husband and give you a stable, fulfilling life."

Sara froze, her fingertips trembling slightly.

What was this? Was this an apology? A promise?

Was this the compensation she'd hoped for? On the surface, this seemed to be exactly what she had been longing for - a chance for their relationship to progress. Yet, inexplicably, she didn't feel any happiness.

Maybe she was being too greedy. Or maybe she didn't want a relationship born out of guilt and duty.

What she wanted was his heart. Not his remorse. Not his obligation.

She bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. It felt like an opportunity she shouldn't waste, something she had long wished for, yet her heart ached.

"You don't have to decide now," Adrian said. "Take your time."

He poured her a glass of warm water, inserted a straw, and held it out to her. "Have some water."

Sara's lips were dry and cracked, but she hesitated before taking a sip. "Thank you."

"Not thirsty?" he asked when she pulled away after only a few sips.

She shook her head.

"The IV is almost done. Would you prefer to stay at the hospital or go home?"

"Home," she said after a moment.

"Alright."

His concern felt foreign to Sara, leaving her flustered and unsure of how to respond.

When the final IV bottle was empty, the nurse came in to remove the needle. At that moment, Lucas Graves arrived.

"How are you feeling, sister-in-law?" he asked, flashing her a warm smile.

"I'm fine now, thank you," she said softly.

"That's good to hear. Don't forget to take your medication. If your fever comes back, come in for another IV."

"Got it."

As the nurse removed the needle, a small bead of blood welled up from the puncture site. She quickly pressed a cotton swab to it.

"I'll take care of it," Adrian said, taking the swab from the nurse. He gently pressed it against Sara's hand, his gaze fixed on the faint bruise that had already formed.

"Apply warm compresses to the bruise," Lucas Graves advised from the side.

Adrian nodded.

Standing by the wall with his arms crossed, Lucas Graves watched their interaction with amusement. The dynamic between the two had shifted dramatically.

Once the bleeding stopped, Adrian discarded the cotton swab and helped Sara sit up.

"We'll head home now," he said.

"I'll walk you out," Lucas Graves offered.

"There's no need."

Sara was about to step off the bed when Adrian bent down and effortlessly scooped her into his arms.

Startled, Sara instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. Her wide eyes locked onto his, and she stammered, "You—"

Adrian adjusted her in his arms, holding her securely while grabbing her bag of medication with one hand. "It'll hurt if you walk."

Lucas Graves smirked, holding the door open for them. "After you."

He ended up accompanying them downstairs anyway, even helping them into the car.

Before Adrian could close the door, Lucas Graves leaned in, an amused glint in his eyes. "Third Brother, I sent you something on your phone. Take a look when you have time."

Adrian nodded, his movements smooth and efficient as he got into the driver's seat and started the car. They headed back to the villa.

In the passenger seat, Sara fiddled with her seatbelt, which Adrian had thoughtfully buckled for her. She didn't know how to process her emotions.

Loving someone unconditionally often meant enduring pain in silence. A single act of kindness from them could erase all past hurts, leaving her vulnerable and eager for more.

She knew she wasn't someone who easily forgot wounds, but she couldn't resist Adrian. Even knowing he was like a blazing fire—a path to inevitable heartbreak—she couldn't stop herself from getting closer.

Still, she wasn't ready to forgive so easily. Not yet.

For the rest of the drive, she remained quiet, staring out the window.

"Are you hungry?" Adrian asked, breaking the silence.

It was nearing dinnertime, and Sara's lunch had been meager. She was a little hungry.

"I'm okay," she replied softly.

"We'll be home soon."

When they arrived at the villa, Adrian was already by her side before she could fully get out of the car.

"I can manage," she protested.

"It'll hurt to walk," he said simply, bending down to carry her again. Sara let her head drop, too tired to argue.

Once inside, he set her down on the living room couch and draped a blanket over her lap. She was still in her pajamas, and her feet were bare. Adrian cursed himself for not grabbing her slippers or a coat when they left the hospital.

"Rest here for a bit. I'll make dinner. Is there anything you'd like?"

"I'm not picky," she said.

Adrian disappeared into the kitchen, and Sara soon heard the rhythmic sounds of chopping and cooking. Feeling her phone in her pocket, she realized it was still off. She powered it on and was greeted by a slew of missed calls—from Adrian, Grandma Pei, and Ella Duvall.

Opening her messages, she found several from Ella Duvall:

[Sara, why is your phone off?]

[Adrian just asked for your address. I gave it to him.]

[What's going on between you two? Are you okay?]

Sara sent a brief reply to reassure her friend, then nestled into the couch. The sounds from the kitchen lulled her into a light sleep.

When Adrian returned with dinner, he found her asleep, her face still tinged with fever. He placed the food into a warmer and sat beside her, watching over her silently.

Remembering Lucas Graves's words, he pulled out his phone. Lucas Graves had sent him a file labeled "For Adrian."

Adrian opened it, his expression freezing as he quickly backed out.

Lucas Graves had attached a note:

"Please learn a thing or two. It'll spare your wife some pain next time."