20: Fury

Adrian lay unconscious in the hospital bed, his pale face almost blending into the white sheets. The beeping of machines filled the room, a steady but cold reminder of his fragile state. His body was still, barely moving except for the faint rise and fall of his chest. Outside the ward, the old couple who had found him were speaking quietly with the nurses, explaining how they had pulled him from the river, drenched and nearly lifeless.

Not long after, the door to the emergency ward swung open, and Leclair entered, his wheelchair moving with a powerful, almost menacing grace. Augustin was at his side, keeping pace with his husband. 

he moment Leclair saw Adrian lying there, his usually calm demeanor twisted into one of fury. His sharp blue eyes flickered with an icy rage that made the nurses tense.

"Get him into Ethan's ward immediately," Leclair commanded, his voice low and dangerous. He glanced at the doctor, his jaw clenched. "If you can't keep him stable, I'll make sure you never touch another patient again."

The doctor, knowing Leclair's reputation, simply nodded. "Yes, sir. We'll move him right away."

A few moments later, Adrian was transferred to Ethan's private ward. Leclair's fingers tightened on the armrest of his wheelchair as he watched Adrian's still, almost lifeless form being wheeled in. His pale skin and unmoving body made him look as though he was already lost, and it sent a ripple of fear through both brothers.

Augustin broke the silence, glancing at Leclair. "What happened to him? How did this happen?"

Leclair's face was hard as stone. "I don't know yet, but I'm going to find out."

He pulled out his phone and dialed swiftly. "Declan," he growled into the receiver, "I need you to find out who was responsible for an attack on Adrian Hudel today. Get Mathew involved. I want names, addresses, and I want those people handled."

There was a pause on the other end of the line as Declan absorbed the command. "Understood, sir. I'll get on it immediately."

Leclair's grip tightened on his phone. "And Declan?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Make them suffer," Leclair said coldly, his voice filled with a venomous promise. "They dared touch my brother's husband. I want them to understand the cost of such an action."

He hung up the phone, his gaze never leaving Adrian. Augustin stood silently next to him.

He agrees with his husband.

However...

"Leclair," Augustin said softly, his brow furrowed with concern. "Are you sure we shouldn't be—"

"Don't," Leclair cut him off, his tone sharp. "Don't ask me to show mercy. Not for this."

Augustin nodded, stepping back and letting his husband handle the matter.

--

In the ward, Ethan looked at the pale figure that was wheeled in.

It was as if all his life was taken away from him.

Ethan was a fearless and bold person who never took anything to heart, He was cold hearted person.

But now, watching Adrian's pale, lifeless body being hooked up to machines, his soul felt something he hadn't felt in a long time—fear.

"Adrian..." Ethan whispered, his ethereal form flickering slightly, the edges of his body distorting as his emotions swirled in chaos.

He floated closer, his eyes fixated on Adrian's face. His hand reached out instinctively, though he knew it would pass right through. The frustration of being unable to touch, unable to help, gnawed at him. He watched as the doctors checked Adrian's vitals, adjusting the IV, speaking quietly among themselves. None of it mattered. None of it could ease the dread building within him.

Ethan's soul stirred violently, like a storm brewing deep inside him. He felt anger, a primal fury, bubbling up from within. He wanted to kill the people who did this. He wanted to destroy them for daring to harm the one person he cared about. His soul pulsed, radiating energy, and for a moment, it seemed as though the entire room darkened with his rage.

And then, just as suddenly, something strange happened.

Ethan's translucent body began to flicker more rapidly, his form growing fainter. His ghostly presence felt as if it were being pulled somewhere—tugged by an invisible force he couldn't control. His vision blurred, the hospital room becoming distorted and distant. He tried to hold on, tried to stay near Adrian, but it was as though his very essence was slipping away.

"No…" Ethan whispered, panic surging through him as he struggled against the pull. "No, I can't leave him! Not now!"

But it was no use. In the blink of an eye, Ethan's soul vanished, disappearing entirely from the room.

---

Leclair had been watching Adrian closely when something strange passed over the room. It was subtle—just a faint flicker of shadows along the walls. He glanced toward the window, frowning. He could have sworn he felt something, but when he looked, there was nothing there.

"Did you see that?" Leclair asked, his voice sharp.

Augustin, standing by the bed, turned to him, confused. "See what?"

Leclair stared hard at the space by the window, but whatever it was, it was gone now. He shook his head, dismissing it. His focus returned to Adrian.Hours passed, and though Adrian was stable, he hadn't woken. The room was silent except for the hum of machines and the occasional beeping of monitors. Leclair had remained in the room the entire time, refusing to leave Adrian's side.

Augustin took care of Adrian and sometimes also Ethan.

As the day turned to night, there was a soft knock on the door, and Mathew entered quietly, his face tight with concern. He walked up to Leclair, keeping his voice low.

"We've found them," Mathew said.

Leclair's eyes flicked up. "The people who attacked Adrian?"

Mathew nodded. "Yes. It was a small group—paid thugs. But they were hired by someone higher up."

"Who?" Leclair demanded, his eyes narrowing. "Who paid them?"

Mathew hesitated, then spoke carefully. "We're still investigating the exact identity, but from the information we've gathered so far… it seems to be connected to Lady Sachel's orders."

Leclair's face darkened instantly. His hands clenched tightly on the armrests of his wheelchair, his knuckles turning white. "My mother?"

Mathew nodded solemnly. "It seems so. She's been keeping close tabs on Adrian for weeks, and this wasn't the first attempt."

Leclair's anger simmered, barely contained. He leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly as he tried to keep his composure.

Augustin quickly took his hand and patted his hand.

"Please, Dear. Calm down."

Leclair looked at Augustin and nodded with a faint and tired smile. Augustin almost cried...

Leclair patted his face and comforted him.

"Alright, Baby."

After that he looked at Mathew.

He paused, then his voice dropped lower, colder. "Have them dealt with. Make sure none of them ever get close to Adrian again. And if my mother is behind this… I'll handle that myself."

Mathew nodded, knowing better than to argue. "Understood. I'll make the arrangements."

As Mathew left the room, Leclair turned back to Adrian, his expression hardening. He had always known his mother to be ruthless, but this… this was beyond anything he had imagined.