Chapter 6

Chloe POV

When I opened my eyes again, it was already the afternoon of the next day.

Adrian was sitting by the hospital bed.

When he saw me wake up, he leaned forward excitedly and grabbed my hand, his expression full of guilt. "Chloe, you're finally awake. It was all my fault. I didn't answer the phone in time last night, and that's why you almost got hurt."

I looked at him quietly as he acted, but in my mind, the image of him ignoring my desperate call for help last night kept flashing over and over.

"Where is the maid who brought the dessert?" I asked softly.

Adrian's eyes turned cold. "She's already been dealt with. The person investigating will make her tell us who was behind it."

After that, he put on a gentle expression again.

"Chloe, I promise you, I won't let anyone hurt you again."

Listening to his soft words of comfort, I only felt disgusted.

He said a few more soothing things, then glanced at his watch, got up, and said, "A shipment just arrived at the dock. It's a batch of rare red wine brought back from a vineyard in France. I have to go inspect it myself."

As he spoke, he tucked the blanket around me. "I'll come back to keep you company when I'm done."

After saying that, he bent down and kissed my forehead before turning to leave.

The hospital room door slowly closed.

I looked at his back and gave a slight curl of my lips.

These years, his excuses had always been the same.

After leaving the medical center, the car stopped in front of the main house of the estate.

Servants at the entrance were busy carrying wooden crates back and forth.

In the living room, Adrian's mother, Sophia, was sitting on the sofa holding Leo, and Elena was sitting right beside her.

"Look," she said with a smile as she handed Leo to Elena. "This child loves being held by you the most. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were his mother."

Laughter immediately broke out all around them.

Elena's cheeks turned slightly red as she carefully took the child.

And Leo really did quiet down, obediently lying in her arms.

That scene hurt my eyes.

Only when someone noticed me standing at the door did the laughter in the living room stop abruptly.

Sophia's face stiffened for a moment, then she spoke as if nothing had happened.

"Why are you back? Just in time. Since you're fine, go to the wine cellar and bring me my prized red wine."

Sophia lifted her teacup, speaking in a flat tone like she was ordering a servant.

"Elena just came back from overseas. We're having a welcome dinner tonight. Don't keep the guest waiting."

I said nothing and turned to leave.

The underground wine cellar was at the deepest part of the main house, and I walked down the stone steps.

Following the location Sophia had given me, I headed toward the innermost wine rack.

I took down the bottle of red wine and was about to leave.

Then I heard it. High heels clicking on the steps behind me.

Slowly. Closer.

I turned around. Elena was standing not far away, a faint smile on her face.

"Sophia was right. Leo really does like me. That part is just like his father."

My hand tightened around the bottle, but I ignored her and walked straight toward the door.

As I passed by her, Elena suddenly snatched the red wine from my hand and smashed it hard onto the floor.

Bang.

The bottle shattered, and bright red wine instantly flooded the ground.

Then, she let herself fall down right along with it.

"Ah!"

A scream echoed through the wine cellar.

"Chloe, I already apologized to you! Why won't you let me go?"

At almost the same time, the cellar door was pushed open.

Adrian rushed in quickly.

Elena became even more wronged when she saw him.

But the next second, Adrian put away all emotion and walked straight toward me.

"Chloe, are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?"

I looked at him and said nothing.

After checking me over, Adrian finally turned to Elena.

His voice was cold enough to frighten anyone.

"Elena, didn't I tell you not to be alone with Chloe?"

Elena's face went pale. "I just wanted to explain things to her..."

"Get out." Adrian cut her off immediately.

Under his icy stare, Elena could only stand up and leave with red eyes.

Adrian reached out and pulled me into his arms. "Ignore her. The one I love has always been you. Don't overthink it. Trust me. I'll handle everything."

Those familiar words sounded again, and all I felt was laughter, bitter and hollow.

After speaking, he turned around, took another bottle of red wine from the rack, and handed it to me.

"Take this upstairs first. This batch just came in from the Luke family. I need to check the handover documents. See you later."

With that, he turned and left.

His footsteps faded away, and the wine cellar fell quiet again.

I didn't leave right away. A few minutes later, when I passed the private tasting room, familiar voices came from inside.

"I'm so sick of this. Why is it me hiding away?"

Elena cried out in grievance. "I was also a victim of that car accident. Why won't anyone believe me?"

Adrian gently patted her back and soothed her. "Don't cry. I know you've been wronged. I'll investigate the truth and give you justice. After this is over, you won't have to hide anymore."

I stood at the door and listened quietly.

If this was the love Adrian talked about.

Then I would rather never have had it at all.