The car ride was silent, but Elena felt everything.
Adrian sat beside her in the backseat, his presence heavy and controlled.
He didn't look at her, didn't speak…
Yet she felt watched.
Pinned.
Claimed.
She clutched her shaking hands in her lap.
"Stop that," Adrian said suddenly.
She looked at him, confused. "W-What?"
He reached out and gently separated her fingers.
"Don't fidget. It makes you look scared."
"I am scared," she whispered.
Adrian's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
The car stopped at the hospital.
Before Elena could step out, Adrian grabbed her wrist.
"Elena."
She looked back, startled by the rare softness in his voice.
"You don't owe anyone an explanation," he said.
"If anyone questions how you paid the bills—ignore them."
"But they'll think—"
"They can think whatever they want," he cut in coldly.
"I don't care. And neither should you."
He let go and stepped out first.
Elena followed, her stomach tightening as people in the hallway stared.
Some whispered.
Others looked away quickly—no one wanted to meet Adrian Blackwood's eyes.
They reached her sister's room.
Lily lay pale and fragile, an oxygen tube resting under her nose.
Elena rushed to her side.
"Lily… I'm here."
Lily's eyes fluttered open. "E-Elena…? You look… tired."
Elena forced a smile.
"Don't worry about me."
Adrian stayed by the door, arms crossed, watching everything.
He didn't try to look gentle.
He didn't pretend to fit in.
He simply existed there like a dangerous shadow.
Lily noticed him and whispered, "Who's… he?"
Elena panicked.
"H-He's my… boss."
Adrian's eyebrow twitched.
He clearly didn't like the word boss.
Lily smiled weakly.
"Thank you for helping my sister…"
Adrian didn't nod.
He didn't pretend to be kind.
He simply said,
"I take care of what is mine."
Elena's heart dropped.
Why did he say it like that?
Lily blinked. "…Yours?"
Elena quickly cut in.
"He means he gave me time off work, that's all."
Lily nodded slowly.
Elena felt Adrian's eyes burning into her back.
She didn't dare meet his gaze.
A nurse suddenly came in holding a file.
"Miss Rivers, the rest of the payment—"
"I'll handle it," Adrian said.
The nurse jumped.
"O-Of course, sir."
The door closed.
Elena turned sharply to him.
"You didn't have to—"
"Yes, I did."
His voice was steel.
"You signed a contract with me. Your responsibilities became mine."
"That doesn't mean you should pay for everything!"
Adrian took a step closer, eyes darkening.
"Elena…"
His tone shifted — dangerous, soft, commanding.
"When I say I will take care of something…
I expect you to let me."
Her breath trembled.
Lily was asleep now.
The room was quiet.
Adrian moved closer until he stood right behind her, his voice a whisper at her ear.
"Rule number four," he murmured,
"Don't argue with me in public."
Elena swallowed hard.
"I-I wasn't trying to argue—"
"You were," he said simply.
"And it annoyed me."
The heat of his breath sent shivers down her spine.
He reached for her wrist — gently this time — and pulled her toward him.
"We're leaving."
"But Lily—"
"She needs rest. You don't."
His fingers tightened slightly.
"You come with me."
Elena stared at him, heart pounding.
Fear?
Anger?
Something else?
She didn't know.
But she followed him anyway.
Because she had signed the contract…
And Adrian Blackwood always collected what he owned.