Chapter 12
The bed was cold when Rian woke. He reached across the sheets instinctively, only to find empty space.
Frowning, he slipped into a robe and padded through the quiet house. The bathroom was empty. So was the kitchen. Just as unease began to crawl through him, a faint sound drifted from the laundry room.
He pushed the door open.
Adrian stood with his back to him, dressed neatly as if he were heading to the office. A laundry basket rested by his feet. In his hand was Rian's shirt—the one he'd worn yesterday. Adrian's gaze lingered on the faint lipstick stain near the collar.
Rian's breath hitched.
"Adrian…" he stepped closer.
Adrian turned at the sound of his voice, smiling like nothing was wrong. "You're awake. I thought I'd get the laundry done before heading out." He casually stuffed the shirt into the machine and pressed the button. The machine whirred to life, filling the silence with its steady hum.
Rian studied him carefully, trying to read his expression, but Adrian's face was calm, too calm.
"I must have… gotten that stain accidentally. From one of the teachers," Rian said, his voice low.
Adrian chuckled lightly, a sound that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah. That happens."
He bent down, gathering more clothes, then straightened and brushed past him with the basket.
"Adrian," Rian called, following.
Adrian stopped, turned, and that smile returned—warm, practiced, disarming. "I know, okay? I trust you. Dr. Rolanda said every relationship is built on trust. And I trust you."
He leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to Rian's forehead before lifting the basket again.
"You're… going to work?" Rian asked, still staring at him.
"Yeah," Adrian replied easily. "I've been a little fickle, haven't I? I need to channel my energy into something productive. The office is as good a place as any."
Rian's eyes narrowed slightly. "And those words too… were they Dr. Rolanda's?"
Adrian's smile widened, serene, unwavering. "No, that one's mine."
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Saturday morning, the house felt too quiet after Adrian left for "work." Rian showered, dressed, and paced the living room until his nerves pushed him to act.
He pulled out his phone and called Vanessa. "I need you to come with me somewhere."
No explanations. Just that.
Minutes later, he picked her up from the hotel, and together they drove across town. Neither spoke much, tension pressing down on the car until they pulled into the hospital parking lot.
Inside, Rian walked up to the reception desk. The young woman behind the counter glanced up with a polite smile.
"I'd like to see Dr. Rolanda," he said.
"Do you have an appointment?" she asked, fingers poised over the keyboard.
"No," Rian replied, steadying his voice. "But please tell her it's me. Rian Johnson."
The receptionist gave a slight nod. "Have a seat, Mr. Johnson."
They waited. Vanessa leaned close, whispering, "What exactly are we doing here?"
"Checking something," Rian murmured. His hands twisted against each other, restless.
After several minutes, another nurse approached. "Mr. Johnson? I'm sorry, but Dr. Rolanda isn't in today. She's not on duty this weekend."
The words fell like ice water down Rian's spine.
Not here? Not on duty?