7. For Himself

Adrian sat on the edge of the hospital bed, his thoughts consumed by the call from his teacher.

He couldn't bear the idea of missing out on something he had worked so hard for.

Maybe there was still a way he could participate, even with everything going on. But how? He was stuck here, miles away from the university, bound by the obligations of a life he hadn't chosen.

Feeling desperate, Adrian pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts until he found the name he was looking for. He hesitated for a moment before pressing the call button. After a few rings, a familiar voice answered.

"Adrian? Is that really you?" The voice on the other end was filled with surprise and concern.

"Hey, Riley," Adrian replied, trying to keep his tone light despite the turmoil inside him. "Yeah, it's me."

"Where have you been, man?" Riley exclaimed. "You just vanished! No one at the university knew where you went. I've been worried sick."

Adrian bit his lip, feeling a pang of guilt. He hadn't told anyone about his sudden departure or the reason behind it. "I'm sorry, Riley. Things got… complicated. I had to come back home unexpectedly."

"Complicated? Adrian, you disappeared without a word! What's going on?"

Adrian sighed, knowing he couldn't avoid the conversation any longer. "It's a long story, Riley. A lot has happened, and I'm not even sure where to start. But right now, I need your help."

There was a brief pause on the other end as Riley processed Adrian's words. "Of course, Adrian. Whatever you need. Just tell me what's going on."

Adrian took a deep breath, trying to organize his thoughts. "I got a call from Professor Lowell earlier today. He told me that if I don't return to the university soon, I'll lose my spot in the International Painting Competition. I've been looking forward to it for so long, Riley, and now it's slipping away from me."

"Damn," Riley muttered. "I heard about the competition. Everyone's been talking about it. But what's keeping you from coming back? Why can't you just return and compete?"

Adrian hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "It's complicated," he repeated. "I'm dealing with some family stuff, and I can't leave right now. But I don't want to give up on this, Riley. There has to be a way."

Riley was silent for a moment, then his voice softened. "Adrian, I wish I could help, but it sounds like you're in a tough spot. I know how much this competition means to you, and I'll do whatever I can to support you."

"Thanks, Riley," Adrian said, feeling a small sense of relief. "That means a lot. But there's something else. Professor Lowell mentioned that someone at the university tried to buy a spot in the competition after failing the test. Do you know anything about that?"

Riley let out a low whistle. "Yeah, I heard about that. Some rich kid tried to bribe his way in after flunking the qualifiers. The professors shut it down, but the kid's been making a fuss ever since. Why do you ask?"

"I was hoping you might know if there's any way I could… I don't know, negotiate or work something out?" Adrian asked, his voice tinged with desperation. "I'm grasping at straws here, Riley. I just don't want to lose this opportunity."

Riley sighed. "I get it, Adrian. But you know how strict the university is about these things. They're not going to bend the rules, especially not for something as high-profile as this competition. I'll try to see if there's anything I can do, but I can't promise anything."

"I appreciate it, Riley," Adrian said, his heart sinking a little. "When do you think you'll hear back?"

"I'll ask around and let you know as soon as I find out anything," Riley replied. "But Adrian, you need to focus on what's best for you right now. If you can't come back, then maybe it's not meant to be this time."

Adrian swallowed hard, not wanting to accept that possibility. "I know, but it's just… hard. This competition was the one thing keeping me connected to my old life. It's like everything I've worked for is slipping away."

"I understand," Riley said gently. "Just take care of yourself, okay? And keep me updated. I'm here for you, no matter what."

"Thanks, Riley. I will," Adrian said, though his voice was strained. "I'll talk to you soon."

As the call ended, Adrian sat there for a moment, staring blankly at the phone in his hand. His heart was heavy with the weight of the situation.

With a heavy sigh, Adrian pocketed his phone and grabbed his wallet. He needed to talk to his father, to see if there was any way he could return to the university and salvage his dream. It was a long shot, but he had to try.

The walk to his family's estate was familiar, yet it felt different this time.

He knew his father would be difficult to convince, but he had to try.

When Adrian finally reached the grand gates of the Hudel estate, he hesitated for a moment before pressing the intercom button. The gate creaked open, and he made his way up the long driveway, the imposing mansion looming in the distance.

Inside, the house was as cold and unwelcoming as he remembered. The servants barely acknowledged him as he walked through the hallways, making his way to his father's study. When he reached the door, he took a deep breath and knocked.

"Come in," came the curt reply from inside.

Adrian pushed the door open and stepped into the room. His father, Wuner Hudel, sat behind his massive oak desk, his sharp eyes narrowing as he looked up from his paperwork.

"Adrian," Wuner said, his tone icy. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the hospital, taking care of your Husband?"

Adrian clenched his fists, trying to keep his voice steady. "Father, I need to talk to you about something important."

Wuner's expression remained cold. "Make it quick. I have no time for trivial matters."

Adrian took a deep breath, forcing himself to meet his father's gaze. "I want to return to the university to participate in the International Painting Competition. It's something I've worked for all year, and I don't want to lose my spot."

Wuner's eyes flashed with anger. "You want to leave your duties and responsibilities here for some frivolous art competition? Have you lost your mind, Adrian? You are part of this family, and you have obligations to fulfill."

"But Father," Adrian protested, his voice pleading. "This competition means everything to me. It's my passion, my future. I've done everything you've asked of me—I've married Ethan, I've taken care of him, but this is something I need for myself."

Wuner's expression hardened further, his voice growing colder. "You are no longer a child, Adrian. Your childish dreams of becoming an artist mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. You are a Hudel, and your duty is to this family, not to some foolish competition."

Adrian felt a surge of frustration and hurt. "Is it so wrong to want something for myself? I've given up so much already—"

"Enough!" Wuner's voice boomed through the room, cutting Adrian off. "You have disgraced this family enough with your selfishness. You will not return to that university, and you will not participate in that competition. Do you understand?"

Adrian's heart sank as his father's words hit him like a punch to the gut. He had known this would be difficult, but the outright rejection still hurt deeply.

"Yes, Father," Adrian said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. He turned to leave, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Adrian," Wuner called out, stopping him in his tracks. "You have a duty to your husband and this family. Do not forget that."

Adrian didn't respond. He simply nodded and left the study, the weight of his father's words heavy on his heart.

As he stepped outside, the sky had turned dark, and a light drizzle had begun to fall.

The rain quickly intensified, soaking through his clothes, but he barely noticed. He couldn't even bring himself to care as he searched for a taxi to take him back to the hospital, but none appeared.

Resigned, Adrian began the long walk back, the rain pouring down in sheets, chilling him to the bone.

By the time he reached the hospital, he was drenched and shivering.

Once inside Ethan's ward, Adrian went straight to the bathroom, his movements mechanical. He peeled off his soaked clothes and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the cold rain. But no amount of warmth could chase away the chill that had settled in his heart.

Meanwhile, Ethan's soul watched him, hovering nearby as always. As he observed the wet, disheartened boy, a strange pang of hurt coursed through him. He didn't understand these feelings—why did it matter to him that Adrian was sad, that he was suffering?

When Adrian finally emerged from the bathroom, clean and dressed in fresh clothes, he went to Ethan's bedside as he always did. He sat down, his hands trembling slightly as he reached out to touch Ethan's hand.

"I'm back," Adrian whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "It's been a rough day, Ethan. My father… he wouldn't let me go back to the university. He doesn't understand how important this competition is to me. It feels like I'm losing everything, and there's nothing I can do about it."

Adrian paused, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You know, sometimes it feels like you're the only one who gets me, even though you're not really here. I don't know why I keep talking to you like this, but it helps. It makes me feel less alone."

Ethan's soul continued to watch, the strange ache in his heart growing stronger with every word Adrian spoke. He didn't understand these feelings—why did he care so much about this boy? But as Adrian sat there, pouring out his heart to him, Ethan felt an overwhelming desire to protect him, to ease his pain.

But he was powerless... why?