Cast Out

Adrian stood beneath the bridge, the cold wind whipping around him as he hugged his knees tightly to his chest. His tears had long since dried, but his heart still ached with the weight of betrayal and rejection. He had cried for hours, the flood of emotions too overwhelming to keep in.

His silver eyes, now dull with exhaustion, stared blankly at the passing cars in the distance, the noise of the city nothing but a distant hum in his mind. How had everything come crashing down so quickly? Just days ago, he had felt the warmth of Ethan's arms around him, the promise of a future they might share. But now… it all seemed like a cruel dream. He had been cast aside, not just by Lady Sachel and Anshi, but by his own father.

With a shuddering breath, Adrian pushed himself to his feet, wiping his tear-streaked face. He couldn't stay under the bridge forever. He needed to move, to find a way forward. He didn't know where to go, but instinct told him to head home—back to the Hudel Manor, where he had spent the last 22 years of his life. Surely his father would come to his senses. Surely Wuner would reconsider, wouldn't he?

The streets blurred as Adrian walked toward the imposing manor, each step feeling heavier than the last. By the time he arrived, the sky was already darkening, casting long shadows over the grand gates. He stood there, staring up at the familiar walls that had once been his shelter, his home. The guards at the entrance looked at him with cold, indifferent expressions.

One of them approached, holding a thin folder in his hand. "Adrian Hudel?"

Adrian nodded weakly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... I need to speak with my father."

The guard shook his head, his face expressionless. "I'm sorry, but you're no longer permitted to enter the estate."

Adrian's heart dropped into his stomach. "What do you mean? This is my home."

The guard handed him the folder without another word. Adrian's trembling hands took the file, and he opened it with dread gnawing at his chest. Inside was a formal document, stamped with the Hudel family crest. His eyes skimmed the words, his breath catching in his throat as he read the contents.

"As of today, Adrian Hudel is no longer recognized as a member of the Hudel family. He is hereby exiled from the family estate and all associated assets."

The paper fell from his hands, fluttering to the ground as Adrian stared in disbelief. His father had truly cut him off. He was no longer a Hudel, no longer the son of Wuner Hudel. He was… no one.

His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, a wave of dizziness threatening to consume him. The world around him spun, and for a brief moment, he felt as if he might faint. But he held on, clenching his fists as he forced himself to stay conscious. He couldn't afford to break down, not here, not now.

The guards looked on with detached indifference as Adrian struggled to stand. He glanced at the manor one last time, his heart heavy with memories. This was the place where he had grown up, where he had laughed, cried, and dreamed of a future that no longer existed. It was his home—no, it had been his home. Now, it was nothing but a cold, unwelcoming fortress.

He turned away, his steps slow and unsteady as he left the estate behind. With each step, he felt the weight of the past slipping further and further away, leaving him hollow and lost. He had nowhere to go, no one to turn to. The world felt vast and uncaring, and for the first time in his life, Adrian truly felt alone.

The small room Adrian rented was a stark contrast to the grand manor he had once called home. It was cramped, with a single bed pushed against the wall, a small table, and a chair. The paint on the walls was peeling, and the air smelled faintly of mildew. But it was quiet, and that was all that mattered to Adrian at the moment.

He sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the wall in front of him. His mind drifted back to the hospital, to the peaceful moments he had spent by Ethan's side. He could almost see Ethan's face in his mind, his strong, calm presence filling the room with warmth. For those few short weeks, Adrian had allowed himself to believe that he could be happy, that maybe—just maybe—he had found a place where he belonged.

But now, that dream was shattered. His life with Ethan, the family he had longed for, it all seemed like a distant fantasy. He was nothing more than a pawn, discarded when he was no longer useful.

Adrian wrapped his arms around himself, curling into a tight ball on the bed. The emptiness in his chest was suffocating, and he couldn't stop the tears from spilling down his cheeks. He had lost everything—his family, his home, and the man he loved. All that remained was the aching loneliness that gnawed at his soul.

Hours passed, but Adrian couldn't sleep. His mind refused to rest, replaying the events of the last few days over and over again. He thought of Ethan lying in that hospital bed, unconscious and unaware of the chaos that had unfolded. He thought of the way Anshi had looked at him, smug and self-satisfied, as if he had already won.

Adrian's chest tightened with a mixture of sorrow and anger. He had been tossed aside, but that didn't mean he was ready to give up. He had fought too hard, endured too much, to simply walk away now.

He wiped his tear-streaked face, his hands trembling as he pushed himself up from the bed. His body was weak, still recovering from the injuries he had sustained, but his mind was made up. He couldn't stay in this dark, suffocating room forever. He needed to act.

Adrian thought back to Mathew. He knew Mathew had been there during the divorce confrontation, recording everything. There was a glimmer of hope in that thought, a chance that Mathew had evidence that could help him.

Taking a deep breath, Adrian picked up his phone and dialed Mathew's number. The line rang twice before Mathew's voice came through, calm but concerned. "Adrian? Are you alright?"

Adrian swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady. "Mathew... I need your help. I... I don't know what to do."

Mathew hesitated for a moment, then replied firmly, "Adrian, don't worry. I've already sent the footage to Leclair. He's furious, and he's going to take action. You're not alone in this."

A wave of relief washed over Adrian at Mathew's words, though it didn't fully dispel the gnawing anxiety in his chest. "Thank you, Mathew."

"You're strong, Adrian," Mathew said softly. "Stronger than you think. Just hold on a little longer. Leclair will handle everything."

Adrian nodded, even though Mathew couldn't see him. "I'll try. I just... I just want Ethan to wake up. I want everything to be okay."

"It will be," Mathew promised. "Trust me."