The next day.
The sunlight had already reached the rooftop.
Riley Palmer gently swayed her body, staring blankly at the boy beside her who was bathed in sunlight.
Adrian Carter was handling a work project; Riley's condition still didn't allow her to finish the remaining tasks herself.
Riley had once chatted with Adrian about this, Adrian had a great memory. He remembered every little detail she mentioned.
Adrian sensed the warm gaze from beside him and looked at her.
"Riley, you're awake?" Adrian smiled gently, his eyes full of affection as he looked at her.
Riley's once-dazed pupils had returned to normal, just a bit quieter than usual.
"Mm." Riley softly placed her head into his palm.
Seeing her adorable expression, Adrian couldn't focus on anything else. He put down his laptop, watching the girl continue to seek something from him.
"What's wrong?" Adrian asked softly.
Riley slowly opened her eyes to look at him. "Hug."
Adrian's lips curved up slightly. He lay down and pulled her into his arms.
Today, Riley was especially different, she seemed clingier than usual.
"Riley, shall we go eat something?" Adrian asked while gently patting her.
"Mm, okay." Riley nodded slowly.
Riley put on a comfortable hoodie, wrapping herself completely, not an inch of skin was exposed.
Adrian, unlike his usual attire, wore a simple and relaxed T-shirt, making him look a few years younger, almost like a college student.
"Riley, are you ready?" Adrian lightly tapped the bathroom door, looking at the blurry silhouette inside.
Riley unlocked it and said softly, "Come in."
Adrian gently opened the door. Seeing Riley tying her hair, he reached out to hold it for her, picked up her little hair tie, and carefully tied it.
"Buzz—"
Adrian looked at the document sent from Pinnoc. His brows furrowed deeper as he read the report.
Pinnoc thoughtfully added a few comments:
[Mr. Carter, Mrs. Carter's condition is still a bit unstable.]
[Don't stimulated her for now.]
[Slow down the pace, don't let her emotions rise too much.]
[Also, don't let her take too much of that bottle of medication to avoid dependency.]
Riley saw Adrian's tightly furrowed brows and turned to look at him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Adrian forced a smile and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Come on, let's eat."
They arrived at a restaurant downstairs; it was crowded.
The aroma of steaming food filled the place. Riley's eyes lit up as she saw the soup dumpling in the steamer and swallowed unconsciously.
Adrian leaned down with a smile and whispered in her ear, "You want some?"
"Mm-hm." Riley pointed toward the xiaolongbao.
"Boss, one basket of soup dumpling," Adrian said as he scanned the QR code. "Anything else?" he asked Riley again.
"Vegetable buns, shumai," Riley listed a few more items, and her gaze finally landed on the bright red braised chicken feet. "And chicken feet."
Adrian gently patted her head. "Alright."
"Boss, pack those too."
The owner smiled at the affectionate scene. "You're really lucky, young lady, having such a doting boyfriend."
Adrian pinched Riley's cheek and laughed. "Not at all, she's the blessing in my life."
The owner smiled sweetly as she watched the two walk away.
She turned to her husband, who was busy preparing rice noodle rolls, and said unhappily, "Look at how sweet they are. Unlike you. Such an old fossil."
Her husband looked confused at first, then lowered his head and chuckled. "Alright, alright, my fault, my dear wife."
Nearby customers chuckled at the couple's usual bickering.
Riley and Adrian walked side by side. The bustling street around them made her seem especially spirited, nothing like her disheveled state yesterday.
Adrian gently swung Riley's hand. "Let's rest today, okay?"
Riley hesitated, thinking of the pile of work waiting for her. "But… my work…"
Adrian handed her his phone. "It's done." He showed her the results of his work from last night until this morning.
Last night, Riley slept restlessly. She trembled, jerked, and tossed repeatedly.
Adrian was very worried and barely slept. In the end, he got up to work quietly while gently patting her and recording her sleep patterns.
Riley straightened up, overwhelmed. "Adrian… thank you."
Adrian paused mid-step, then gently comforted her. "Riley, you don't have to thank me. This is what I should do as your husband."
Riley lowered her head but didn't respond.
Mutual Benefit Park.
A public park under the Carter Conglomerate, located downtown.
The area was surrounded by luxurious mansions.
Adrian brought Riley to a table and opened the breakfast they bought.
"Eat." Adrian handed her a pair of chopsticks and watched with satisfaction as she began stuffing food into her mouth.
"Adrian, let's go see your father," Riley said suddenly after glancing at the nearby mansions. The gentle face of the old man appeared in her mind.
Adrian froze for a moment. Breaking his usual habit of following her wishes, he refused immediately. "Tomorrow. Today I want to take you somewhere."
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Riley looked up at him. Today, he seemed different.
"Riley, Pinnoc has a junior brother. He specializes in psychology…"
"Okay." Riley answered before Adrian finished.
Adrian looked at her in surprise. "Riley, I—"
Riley held his tightened fist. "I know… Adrian, I know."
Her eyes grew misty, tears welling up.
"My illness… I can't control it anymore…"
"I'm sorry, Adrian. I thought I could give you a healthy wife, but I can't."
Her tears finally fell, and she began losing control.
Adrian took out the medication he had originally brought as a precaution and sat beside her.
"Riley, don't cry."
"You're sick, so we treat it. It's not a big deal."
"It's nothing serious."
"You're just sick, Riley. Once you're better, everything will be fine."
Adrian gently pulled the girl into his arms and comforted her.
Riley's body began shaking uncontrollably. She buried her head tightly against Adrian's neck.
"Adrian… I'm sorry…"
Adrian didn't say more. He took out a pill and placed it gently in her mouth. "Take your medicine first."
After all.
Riley slowly calmed down, Adrian carefully pulled the hood of her hoodie up to cover her still-unstable state.
Riley followed behind Adrian, watching him slow his steps for her. Her heart felt warm.
"Get in." Adrian pulled her close and helped her into the car.
He got in the driver's seat and gently pressed her eyelids down. "Sleep for a bit. The ride will be long."
"Mm." Riley pulled her hood lower to block the sunlight.
Adrian's driving was smooth; they barely felt any bumps along the way.
The car arrived in front of the medical facility.
Adrian parked by the gate, glanced at the locked entrance, and took out his phone.
[We're here.]
He put his phone away and shaded the sleeping Riley from the sunlight.
"Knock, knock—"
Outside, Pinnoc panted slightly as he looked in. "Mr. Carter, you're here."
Adrian gave a soft "Mm," his voice gentle, afraid to wake the girl beside him.
"Come in." Pinnoc stepped back to let them drive inside.
It was lunchtime, but the facility was still nearly empty.
Adrian held the hand of the newly awakened Riley as they walked down the main path. The white buildings around them created a suffocating and uncomfortable atmosphere.
Riley followed closely, nervous about the unfamiliar environment. Ahead, a group of people in lab coats hurried through the corridor.
"Mr. Carter, Mrs. Carter, stay close to me," Pinnoc warned carefully.
The hallway was lined with interns who had just arrived.
Their gazes swept repeatedly over Adrian and Riley.
The two of them stood out in the crowd, tall and striking.
The noise gradually faded when an elderly man arrived.
Adrian looked at the old man with a trace of respect in his eyes. "Uncle Kenneth."
Riley's eyes brightened. Seeing the elderly man, she followed Adrian and greeted, "Uncle Kenneth."
Although his face was wrinkled, the old man's features showed that he must have been handsome in his youth.
People often said nephews resembled their uncles and in the case of Adrian and Uncle Kenneth, it was clearly true.
"This is the wife you personally chose?" Uncle Kenneth stroked his beard and looked at Riley's timid expression with a smile. "A good girl."
Riley lowered her head slightly and held Adrian's arm tightly, inching behind him.
Adrian lowered his head with a smile and gently patted her hand. "It's alright."
Then he turned to Uncle Kenneth with a polite smile. "Uncle, please forgive her. Riley… hasn't been well these days."
Uncle Kenneth nodded. "You're going to see Harry, right?" he asked, glancing at Pinnoc.
Pinnoc bowed slightly. "Yes, Professor Florian."
"Go ahead then." Kenneth Florian waved a hand and glanced at Riley. "Let's have a meal together another day."
Adrian smiled. "Of course. Another day."
Kenneth patted Adrian's shoulder lightly. "Go on."
The group bowed politely before leaving the corridor.
"Knock, knock—"
"Come in."
Pinnoc opened the door and saw the floor covered with documents. He stepped in but then hesitated, slowly retracting his foot.
"Harry, they're here," Pinnoc called to Harry Duly, who was wearing headphones inside.
Harry, holding a pile of files, glanced at the door and immediately stood up. "You're here, Brother."
He walked toward them while picking up the mess on the floor.
"This must be Mr. Carter?" Harry said, looking at the smiling man at the door with an armful of papers.
Adrian nodded slightly. "Hello, just call me Adrian."
Behind him, Riley cautiously peeked out as Harry's gaze shifted toward her.
"This is my wife, Riley Palmer," Adrian said, stepping aside so Riley was fully visible to Harry.
Harry smiled. "Hello."
"Come in," he said, opening a path and placing the documents randomly on the small coffee table.
Riley followed behind Adrian, feeling Harry's stare on her. The intense gaze made her skin crawl.
Seeing her nervousness, Pinnoc quickly teased, "Harry, tone it down. You're scaring her."
Harry finally looked away and turned to Adrian. "Mr. Carter, has Ms. Palmer been in this condition for long?"
Adrian recalled the information Yulius Linn sent that morning.