Adrian’s heart pounded in his chest as he knelt beside Elena, his fingers still lightly brushing against her forehead, almost as if willing her to wake up. Every second that passed felt like an eternity. His mind raced with every possible scenario, every reason she might not be waking up, each one darker and more terrifying than the last. His breath hitched, frustration building like a storm within him.
His hands, which had been trembling earlier, were now steady as they pressed gently to her chest, feeling for the rise and fall of her breathing. The slow, shallow rhythm reassured him, but only just. Her breathing wasn’t normal, wasn’t strong enough to calm his fear.
He leaned down, his lips just above her ear, his voice hoarse as he whispered, “Elena… please… open your eyes. Please.”
There was no response.
He couldn’t take it anymore.
Adrian’s hands moved to her waist, lifting her slightly to sit her up. He pressed his palm against her stomach again, this time a little more forcefully, hoping to expel the water trapped inside. She let out a small cough, a wet sound that made him flinch. His eyes widened in a moment of hope, but when she didn’t immediately wake up, his heart dropped again. Her face remained pale, her body limp.
“Wake up, damn it!” Adrian growled, his voice cracking with frustration. He wasn’t sure if he was talking to her, or to himself. His emotions were so raw, so tangled, it was hard to differentiate between the two. Why isn’t she responding? he thought, his mind spinning in circles. I can’t lose her.
His frustration bubbled over, and in a moment of complete helplessness, Adrian’s anger flared up once more. He pulled her against him, holding her close, his grip tight, but careful, his lips near her ear again as he whispered, “I swear, Elena, if you don’t wake up, I’ll never forgive you.”
There was a soft shift in her body, a slight movement. Adrian froze, his breath catching in his throat. He could feel her body stiffen slightly, the faintest of responses. Her eyelashes fluttered, a small sign that she might be coming to.
His heart surged with hope.
“Come on,” he muttered under his breath, gently squeezing her shoulder, his voice low but full of pleading. “Just open your eyes… please.”
And then, like a miracle, it happened.
Her eyes fluttered open slowly, squinting against the dim light. Adrian’s breath hitched at the sight. Her big, doe eyes, usually full of life and fire, were now clouded with confusion. Her lips parted, her chest rising and falling erratically as if she was struggling to remember where she was.
“Professor ….,..” Her voice was barely a whisper, soft and fragile, like a broken melody.
A rush of relief swept over him, flooding his chest and making his heart race even faster. He wanted to say something, anything to reassure her, but the words stuck in his throat. Instead, he simply pulled her closer, his hands gently holding her as he lowered her back onto the ground, careful not to move too fast.
“Hey, you’re alright. You’re safe,” he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. His fingers brushed her damp hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear as he tried to keep himself steady.
But Elena’s eyes were still distant, her brow furrowing slightly as she tried to make sense of what had happened. Her mouth opened as if to speak, but no words came. She was still too disoriented.
Adrian’s thumb lightly traced her cheek, his eyes softening as he gazed down at her. “Don’t try to talk. Just breathe.”
He wanted to say so much more, to tell her everything that had been going through his mind-the fear, the anger, the guilt-but there was no need for words. He could see the confusion in her eyes, the flicker of vulnerability she couldn’t hide. And that was enough. For now.
Elena blinked again, her breathing slowly beginning to steady, though it was still shallow. Her gaze drifted to his face, locking with his for a long moment. There was no need for any more words. They both knew what had passed between them. The emotions, the connection-they were undeniable.
“I… I’m sorry,” Elena whispered, her voice cracking slightly as she spoke. She winced, as if the words hurt her.
Adrian felt his heart clench at the sound. He didn’t want her to apologize. He didn’t want her to feel like she was at fault for anything. He gently shook his head, leaning closer.
“No,” he said firmly, his voice soft but filled with certainty. “You don’t have to apologize. It’s not your fault, Elena. None of this is your fault.”
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she didn’t speak again. Adrian’s hand cupped her face, his thumb tracing the curve of her cheek as if trying to erase the pain, the worry that had consumed her in the past few days.
“I’m here,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I won’t let them hurt you again.”
The words hung in the air between them, filled with the weight of everything they’d been through and everything still to come. Elena’s eyes softened, her gaze lingering on him for a long moment. She didn’t say anything in return, but the way she looked at him, the way her hand gently grasped his, told him everything he needed to know.
For the first time in days, the air between them felt lighter, as if a burden had been shared. As if they had finally found a moment of peace in all the chaos.
Adrian exhaled slowly, feeling the tension ease from his shoulders. He had a lot of things he needed to deal with things involving Mia, the rumors, the whole university but for now, none of that mattered. What mattered was Elena, and that she was safe. That she was with him.
“You’re not alone,” he said softly, his thumb gently brushing over her hand as he squeezed it.
Elena gave him a small, almost imperceptible nod, her eyes fluttering closed as if she was too exhausted to stay awake. Adrian stayed by her side, watching over her, his hand never leaving hers. There were no more words needed. Not for now.