Ella sucked in a breath, every nerve suddenly awake as his fingers filled her. She could feel a familiar warmth spreading inside her.

"Adrian," she warned softly, though it came out weaker than she intended.

"You don’t like it?" he murmured.

Ella wanted to laugh bitterly. As if she could deny what her body was already telling him.

Her pulse betrayed her, racing so loudly she was sure he could hear it.

Even the room felt warmer now, a sweet scent lingering in the air that was charged with something that had nothing to do with the hospital and everything to do with the man beside her.

"You’re impossible," she whispered.

"And yet," he shifted his position, fingers still buried inside her as he inclined his body behind her. His lips hovered below her ear as he whispered, "you keep provoking me."

Her fingers curled into the sheets as his touch shifted.

His fingers curled as if he had all the time in the world and intended to make her feel every second of it.

"You asked if I was jealous," he continued softly. "This is me answering."

Her breath hitched. "This isn’t an answer," she said, unable to come to terms with the fact that this stone-faced man would pull something like this, acting so cheeky, cocky and shameless.

But no words seemed to deter Adrian in the moment as the movement of his fingers intensified, switching back and forth relentlessly.

Ella moaned trying to tilt her neck but Adrian held the back of her head, supporting her as he eyed the cast around her neck for a brief moment.

"Ah... Yes, there... Adrian..."

Just as Ella reached the peak due to his intense movements, she was hit with a sudden wave of emptiness.

When she looked up, Adrian had retracted his fingers. She clenched in desperation and need.

But the man seemed to have no intention of finishing what he started. Looking straight into her eyes, he lifted his and licked each finger clean.

Ella bit down on her bottom lips in indignation.

Adrian did not seem to notice the wronged look on her face. His gaze was deeply focused on the wounds on her.

Ella sighed inwardly. Thinking about it, Adrian must have been worried sick about her earlier.

"Jenny..."

"Is dead," Adrian said before Ella could finish her words.

Ella’s eyes widened slightly. She opened her mouth to say something but no words came out of her mouth.

"Stay and recover properly."

As Adrian got up, Ella hurriedly grabbed his hand, "Where are you going?"

Adrian turned around and bent down. Grabbing her face, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead, "I will be back soon."

After Adrian left, Ella stayed awake for quite some time. Her thoughts drifted but after a while, the medicine showed effects and her eyes gradually closed.

The next morning, Ella was awakened by some rustling noises.

When she opened her eyes, she was greeted by the nurse who was recording her condition.

"How do you feel now... Mrs. King?"

Ella’s eyes widened briefly but then she composed herself. Adrian probably did not bother hiding her identity this time.

"Much better... Just a little sore..."

The nurse smiled in acknowledgement before she continued her work.

At this moment, there were soft knocks on the door.

As Ella turned, Ruby’s face greeted her vision first, followed by Kade who walked in.

"Ella... you..." Ruby’s eyes reddened.

Ella touched her neck gently, "I am fine, am I not...?"

"We thought you died at that madwoman’s hands..." Kade shrugged.

Ruby glared at Kade who coughed lightly.

"I am fine... I just..." Ella looked around the hospital room, "Don’t like it here."

"Once the discharge procedures are done, you can come with me," As she spoke, Ruby glanced at Kade meaningfully.

"Fine, I will see what can be done..."

Before he could move, the nurse spoke up, "There is no need to be worried about it. Mr. Ji has handled all the procedures."

Ella paused for a moment. Adrian must have asked Ji Yan to get it done.

She wondered where he left in such a hurry...

After the nurse left, Kade clicked his tongue, "I can’t believe I am seeing in such a condition. No wonder brother kept you locked before, the moment you step out, you get yourself caught in trouble—"

Ella narrowed her eyes.

In this life, those events had passed quite soon.

Adrian never reached the point of extreme paranoia the way he did in their previous life and because of that only, any hope was left in their relationship.

Or, Ella wouldn’t know what would have happened to them. Perhaps a lifetime of misery, she would never have stayed trapped willingly and he would never have let her be free.

She did not dare to think about it.

"Why don’t you come with me?"

The gentle voice stirred Ella out of her thoughts and she looked at Ruby.

After giving it a thought, Ella nodded.

Adrian was probably not in the mansion. With everything going on, she would overthink if she went there alone.

Following Ella’s approval, Ruby helped her dress up inside the room while Kade waited outside.

Fifteen minutes later.

The trio stepped out of the hospital.

Ella was supported by Kade and Ruby.

But just as they reached the hospital exit, two men blocked their path, "You can’t go," one of them declared.

Ruby narrowed her eyes as she met their gazes head-on.

But the two men were tall and bulky and just by the sight of it, Ruby knew she was not a match for them.

Ruby turned to Kade, "Call your brother. Don’t you see the situation?" She whispered, only to realize that Kade was looking ahead in a daze.

"Did he command this?" Ella asked.

At this moment, Ruby realized that both Kade and Ella recognized the men.

Both the men bowed slightly to Ella, their faces straight and frigid as they made the declaration.