41. Promises

The ringing of his cell phone in his pocket disrupted Adrian's reverie. Annoyed, he answered it, only to hear an unexpected flat voice on the other end.

'Meet me in the hospital cafeteria,' said the voice. If Adrian had known who was calling, he wouldn't have answered in the first place.

Adrian quickly hung up and shoved the phone back into his pocket. He got up to enter Shaga's hospital room, where the person he loved most lay helpless, eyes closed due to the anesthesia that made Adrian feel the pain too.

It wanted to feel like Adrian alone replaced the pain Shaga was experiencing, the sharp needle piercing Shaga's hand became Adrian's concern, and had a strong desire to let go.

Adrian deeply regretted missing the opportunity to prevent Shaga from ending up like this. Even in their own home, he had lost control.