REBIRTH : Chasing The Limelight-Chapter 66: A thousand hearts

Adrian walked through the hallway of the hospital. Everything would have been perfectly fine and quiet...if not for the talking machine following behind him.

"You know, moving him here wasn’t cheap. If he recovers, don’t you think we should take a little something back? Just so people won’t start... suspecting unnecessary suspicions." Harris said, hands in his pockets as he walked

Adrian did not respond, so he didn’t stop.

"Boss, visiting people personally? That’s new. Should I start preparing a schedule for this too? Maybe once a week? Or twice rather?"

Still nothing. But Harris isn’t offended. He’s already long used to this.

He leaned forward and lowering his voice. "And also... don’t you think people might start thinking you’re trying to impress the old man because of his granddaughter? You know... like... future family planning?"

Adrian stopped suddenly, turning his head slowly to look at Harris.

Harris immediately stepped back and zipped his lips. "My bad," he said with a small chuckle.

They continued walking.

Six seconds later, Harris stretched a bit and yawned, "I’m so tired... and hungry. I wish Miss Relanie would just show up at the office tomorrow mor—" He stopped mid-sentence when a nurse walked past them.

Harris turned his head, eyebrows lifting as he stared at her back. "...since when did hospital uniforms become... like that?"

He glanced again thoughtfully.

Truth be told, the uniform was tighter than usual. And it’s a bit more stylish too.

Harris sighed. "I thought nurses were supposed to help patients recover, not distract them."

Then he turned forward again. "Or what do you th—" He paused immediately when he saw that Adrian was no longer in front of him. He was already a distance ahead.

"Ah—wait, boss!"

—

When they entered the ward, Mr. Gorden was already awake. Adrian noticed that he looked much better than before.

Beside him sat a little girl with bright red hair, swinging her legs from the chair. Her mother had left earlier, but she had insisted on staying.

The moment the door opened, the girl leaned closer to the old man and whispered—though it sounded more like a fire alarm.

"Grandpa... the scary suit uncle is here."

Harris almost choked, but Adrian walked in as if he heard nothing. He stopped beside the bed.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, though his voice sounded like that of someone unused to asking such things.

"Better." Mr Gorden said with a small nod.

Adrian didn’t sit, but he stared at the old man. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he closed them back.

"What of Elara? How’s she doing?" Mr Gorden asked.

Adrian’s gaze remained calm as he nodded.

After a long pause, the man spoke up again. "You shouldn’t tell her. There’s no need." he said while Adrian scoffed lightly.

"She’ll find out sooner or later."

The old man didn’t say anything or argue.

Behind them, Harris had already crouched down in front of the little girl. "Hello cutie. What’s your name?" he asked with a grin.

The girl stared at him for a long moment, then suddenly—she reached out and flicked his forehead hard.

Harris froze rubbing his forehead, an ugly frown appearing on his face. "You naughty gnome." he yelled.

The girl’s face changed instantly. "I’m not a gnome!. I’m just growing!" she snapped, crossing her arms. Then she turned her head away, clearly offended.

Mr. Gorden sighed softly. "Zia, be quiet."

Zia huffed but she didn’t speak again...

Adrian didn’t stay long. After a few more words, he turned and walked toward the door. Harris also stood up quickly and gave Mr. Gorden a respectful bow.

Then—

"Uncle!"

Zia suddenly jumped down and ran toward Adrian. She stopped in front of him, looking up with bright, curious eyes. "Are you Elara’s man?" she asked.

Adrian froze, not knowing what to say.

Harris rushed forward immediately. "You—this little rascal—what are you saying?" he said, lowering his voice. "You’re still small, don’t talk like that."

"I’m just curious, that’s all... Why are you bullying me? Just because you’re taller?" Zia asked with a pout.

Harris opened his mouth to reprimand the naughty little girl, but Adrian had already walked out. So he could only shoot her one last look. "Troublesome child," he muttered. Then he quickly turned and followed after Adrian.

–

When they reached Starfall, Adrian sat in the back seat of the car silently. His gaze was fixed ahead, but his thoughts were elsewhere. After a short pause, he spoke.

"Drive to the hospital."

Harris let out a deep sigh, too tired to argue. He adjusted his grip on the wheel and changed direction without a word. He was quite sleepy, but he kept his eyes open, knowing better than to complain.

Not long after, the car stopped at the entrance of a large hospital.

Adrian stepped out first and adjusted his jacket. "You can go," he said briefly, while Harris blinked, then a small spark of relief showed on his face. He quickly straightened up.

"Thank you, boss." He said giving a quick bow. Then he left, already thinking about finding a cab without delay.

Inside the hospital, Adrian walked in without interruption. He moved past the front area and stepped into the elevator. No one stopped him.

Soon, he stood in front of a glass door. Through it, he could see inside the room. A man was sitting beside the bed.

Adrian recognized him immediately as Lioren Valoire. The actor who always linger unreasonably around Elara.

Without hesitation, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Lioren looked up immediately and their eyes met. At first, his expression showed surprise, then it quickly returned to normal. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

Adrian let out a small snort. "Move." he said.

Lioren studied him quietly for a moment. Then he stood up slowly, but he did not step aside. "What do you want?" he asked but Adrian did not answer.

Lioren gave a loud scoff. "If it weren’t for you, she wouldn’t have been here in the first place."

Adrian’s gaze hardened as he turned to him. "Watch your words." he said.

"Am I wrong?"Lioren asked instantly, exhaling through his nose, clearly annoyed.

Adrian said nothing while Lioren stepped closer. "You sent someone to bring her to you. After that, she ended up in the pool. And now she’s here."

Adrian’s fingers tightened inside his pocket. "You’re assuming too much." he said calmly.

Lioren narrowed his eyes and took another step closer. "What is she to you?" he asked. Then, after a short pause, he added, "Are you interested in her?"

Adrian’s glare sharpened. "That’s none of your concern." he snorted.

Lioren scoffed again. He turned away and walked back to the bed. Gently, he adjusted Elara’s blanket, making sure it lay neatly around her. Then he straightened up.

"Whatever, stay away from her." he said under his breath. He walked toward the door, then paused beside it. "Don’t stay too long. She needs quiet." he said. He then opened the door and stepped out, leaving the room behind him.

Adrian remained where he stood for a long time. His eyes moved slowly to the figure lying on the bed.

As he stared, his thoughts drifted back, searching for the reason behind that night. All what he had said and done. None of it sat comfortably in his mind.

He had not expected things to lead here. Not like this.

He took a step forward toward the bed, but he stopped midway as a thought crossed his mind. Then he turned away and moved to the drawer beside it instead.

After opening it, all he could see inside were a few small items, mostly medical supplies and simple belongings. But what drew his attention is the phone.

It was very simple and slightly worn. He reached in and picked it up.

’This should be hers,’ he thought.

He pressed the side button and the screen lit up immediately. A dark, simple wallpaper appeared. On it is a single line of text:

Even if a thousand hearts turn away from you, there will always be one that stays.

Adrian stood still and his eyes remained on the words, unmoving. His thumb hovered above the screen, but he did not touch it.

Gradually, the screen dimmed. Then it went dark.

He placed the phone back into the drawer and turned his head toward the bed once more. After a small pause, he turned away, walked to the door, opened it, and stepped out.