"Grandpa, it's because I'll be working with Mia's company and we have a lot to plan, so staying with her made sense. Besides, Damien and I just met again two days ago…" Elena tried to explain.
Albert's voice grew firm. "You've already been apart for over a year, and even now, I don't see any real affection between you two."
"Grandpa, please don't worry," Elena said quickly. "We just need some time to get used to each other again."
But Albert wasn't satisfied. "So the marriage a year and a half ago was a mistake, and now you're both forcing yourselves to continue?" he asked sharply. "If that's the case, there's no reason to stay married. You can get a divorce." He reached for his phone. "My friend's son is a lawyer. I'll call him."
Elena's eyes widened in alarm. If he made that call, her lie would fall apart, and the shock could hurt him. "Grandpa, wait," she said gently, taking the phone from his hand.
"You're misunderstanding us," she said quickly. "We're not planning to divorce. We really do like each other. It's just that we're not used to showing affection in front of people." She glanced at Adrian. "My husband isn't the romantic kind. Look at him—he's completely expressionless. He can't even fake a warm smile."
Adrian shot her a sharp look, his raised brow clearly saying, Are you serious right now?
Elena ignored him and went on smoothly. "But don't worry, Grandpa. I'll teach him how to be a little more romantic. He'll come around eventually."
Albert looked at Adrian's calm, almost distant face, then back at Elena. "So next time I see you both, I won't have any reason to complain?" he asked.
"Of course not, Grandpa," she replied sweetly. "By then, everything will be just fine."
Albert's eyes brightened. "Does that mean I'll have great-grandchildren soon?"
Elena forced a smile. "Of course, Grandpa. Once we get to know each other a little better."
Adrian clenched his fists, trying to keep his cool. Pretending to be her husband was bad enough, but now she was dragging him into talking about children.
Albert nodded, satisfied. "Then you two should start living together again. If there's any problem finding a home, I can buy one for you."
"No, Grandpa. We can manage on our own. We're working on it and soon will have our own home," Elena assured him quickly before turning to Adrian with a forced smile. "Isn't that right, darling?"
Adrian almost glared at her but managed to control himself, nodding in agreement.
"Alright. Take your time setting up your new home. Once I feel better, I'll personally visit you," Albert said, his tone determined.
"Huh?" Elena blinked, momentarily stunned by the statement.
Albert noticed her puzzled expression and his voice took on a slightly hurt tone. "Do you want your grandpa to stay in the hospital forever until he dies?"
"N-No, Grandpa! I didn't mean...," she stammered.
"You don't want me to come to your home and stay with you?" he asked, his voice soft with disappointment.
"No, Grandpa," she quickly reassured him. "I was just worried about you leaving the hospital in your weak condition." Elena tried to cover up her initial shock. She had almost panicked, thinking about Albert visiting her when she had no real husband to show, and her lie was exposed.
"Before, I didn't have much will to live," Albert confessed. "But now, just to see you having your own family, I believe I can hold on a few years longer."
"I hope you have a long life, Grandpa. I don't want to lose you," Elena said, her expression turning emotional. She felt the weight of lying to the most important man in her life, but at this moment, it seemed like the right thing to do.
'Once Grandpa's health is stable and out of any danger, I'll explain everything and apologize to him.
"Why don't you get something for the two of you to drink?" Albert suggested, his tone calm but firm. "In the meantime, I'll have a word with my grandson-in-law."
Elena immediately understood that Albert wanted to speak with Adrian alone, but she couldn't risk leaving them alone.
She tried to come up with an excuse."Grandpa Damien has an important meeting to attend..."
"Are you worried that in your absence, I'll act like an annoying elder and trouble your husband?" Albert asked, raising an eyebrow
She smiled awkwardly. "Of course not, Grandpa."
"Then get something for him," Albert insisted.
Though reluctant, Elena stood up and turned to face Adrian, her gaze clearly warning him not to mess anything up.
Adrian, however, ignored her warning look, as if silently telling her to mind her own business.
Once she left, Albert gestured to the chair. "Have a seat."
Adrian took the seat where Elena had been sitting, waiting patiently to hear what the old man had to say.
"I don't know how much you know about Elena, but know that since she was young, she has suffered a lot," Albert began, his voice tinged with sadness. "She is a good child but always caught up in wrong situations and I feel bad I could do nothing to help her. Even when she's hurting, she won't show it. But don't be deceived by her tough, unyielding front. The more she's hurt, the tougher she acts. This is how life had turned my Elena into. Sometimes I worry that she would stop feeling hurt anymore and turn into a person without any emotions."
Adrian found Albert's words to be true based on his own observations of Elena. Where others might show vulnerability, she put on a strong front, refusing to accept defeat—even if it meant playing the role of the villain. He took this conversation as a chance to understand her more.
Albert continued, "Be by her side, even if she says she's alright. If you put your trust in her, I give you my word she would never wrong you. What I hope is that she's finally found her happiness in you, and that her life from now on will be peaceful, filled with the love and care she deserves."
Adrian didn't know what to say to it, and simply offered a light nod to rid the sick old man of his worry.
"I don't know exactly what you two are planning or how things really are between you," Albert said again, his voice calm but serious. "But if you intend to stay with Elena, then I ask you to take care of her as a good husband should. Will you?"
After a short silence, Adrian responded, "I will," though in his mind, he kept the "as a husband" part aside. He was determined to take Elena back to her real family, and that meant taking care of her—even if it was as her brother.
A relieved smile appeared on Albert's face. He could feel he could trust this young man, confident that he won't let Elena down, unaware what was going on in Adrian's