Chapter 4: The Wife He Didn't Want
Lina Carter stood outside the hospital window, her hands trembling slightly as she watched the rain fall outside. The gray sky reflected her mood perfectly—heavy, silent, and suffocating.
Inside the room, Sophia Grant was still with Adrian.
Lina hadn't gone back in.
She was afraid.
Afraid of seeing Adrian's cold eyes again.
Afraid of watching Sophia sitting beside him like she belonged there.
Afraid of realizing that her husband… was slowly slipping away.
Her fingers tightened.
No.
She couldn't give up.
Not yet.
Taking a deep breath, Lina wiped her tears and walked toward the room.
She gently pushed the door open.
Inside, Sophia was sitting close to Adrian, talking softly. They looked comfortable—like lovers reunited after years apart.
Lina's heart twisted painfully.
Sophia noticed her first.
"Oh… you're back."
Her tone was casual, almost dismissive.
Adrian turned his head.
Their eyes met again.
But this time…
There was no confusion.
No curiosity.
Only distance.
Lina forced herself to smile.
"Adrian…"
She walked closer slowly.
"I brought you some soup."
She placed the container on the table.
"You haven't eaten much…"
Adrian glanced at the soup briefly.
Then looked back at her.
"Thank you."
His tone was polite.
Too polite.
Like he was speaking to a stranger.
Lina's chest tightened.
Sophia crossed her arms.
"You don't have to trouble yourself," she said calmly.
"I can take care of him."
Lina looked at her.
"I'm his wife."
Sophia smiled faintly.
"He doesn't remember that."
The words stung.
But Lina remained silent.
She picked up the spoon.
"Adrian… try a little."
She held the spoon near his lips.
Adrian hesitated.
Something about this felt… uncomfortable.
Not because he disliked her.
But because…
It felt too intimate.
"I can eat myself," he said quietly.
Lina froze.
Slowly, she lowered the spoon.
"Oh… okay."
She stepped back slightly.
Sophia watched the scene with a faint smile.
"Adrian doesn't like being fussed over," Sophia said gently.
"I know him better."
Lina clenched her fingers.
She wanted to argue.
She wanted to tell Sophia—
That Adrian loved when she cooked for him.
That he always finished everything she made.
That he used to hold her hand while she fed him.
But…
He didn't remember.
And those memories…
Were now meaningless.
Lina stepped aside quietly.
Adrian picked up the spoon and ate slowly.
Sophia leaned closer.
"Does it taste okay?"
Adrian nodded.
"It's good."
Lina's heart warmed slightly.
At least… he still liked her cooking.
But Sophia's next words crushed her hope.
"Of course it is," Sophia said.
"She's always trying hard to please you."
Adrian paused.
"What do you mean?"
Sophia hesitated, as if unsure whether to speak.
"It's nothing…"
Adrian frowned slightly.
"Say it."
Sophia sighed softly.
"You married her… but she was always insecure."
Lina stiffened.
"She worried you'd go back to me."
Adrian looked surprised.
"Is that true?"
Lina shook her head immediately.
"No—"
But Sophia spoke first.
"It's understandable though," Sophia continued calmly.
"Our relationship lasted for years."
Adrian stayed silent.
Sophia looked at Lina gently.
"I'm not trying to hurt you."
Her tone sounded sincere.
But her eyes…
Held something else.
Lina felt anger rising inside her.
"Adrian," she spoke softly.
"Don't believe everything…"
Adrian looked at her.
His gaze calm.
"I'll decide myself."
The distance in his tone hurt more than anything.
Lina lowered her gaze.
"Okay…"
The room fell silent.
Moments passed.
Then the doctor entered.
"Mr. Blake, we need to run some tests."
Adrian nodded.
The nurse helped him prepare.
Sophia stood up.
"I'll go with you."
Lina quickly spoke.
"I'll come too."
Sophia glanced at her.
Adrian spoke before Sophia could respond.
"You don't need to."
Lina froze.
"I…"
"I'll be fine."
His tone wasn't harsh.
But it was firm.
Lina felt her heart sink.
"Okay…"
She stepped back.
Sophia smiled slightly.
"Rest well."
Then she followed Adrian out.
Lina stood alone in the room.
The silence felt suffocating.
She slowly sat down on the chair.
Her hands trembled slightly.
Everything felt unreal.
Just yesterday…
He held her hand.
Promised dinner.
Gave her a bracelet.
And today…
He didn't even want her beside him.
Tears slowly fell.
But she quickly wiped them away.
She couldn't cry forever.
She had to stay strong.
For him.
For their marriage.
For their love.
—
Hours later…
Adrian returned to the room.
Sophia walked beside him again.
Lina stood immediately.
"How was the test?"
Adrian sat down.
"Fine."
The doctor followed behind.
"Mr. Blake will need a few days of observation."
Lina nodded.
"I'll stay."
Sophia spoke casually.
"I'll stay too."
Lina looked at her.
"That's not necessary."
Sophia shrugged.
"I want to."
Adrian looked at them both.
Then he spoke calmly.
"Sophia can stay."
Lina felt her heart drop.
"And… you should go home."
Lina froze.
"What?"
"You look tired."
"I'm fine."
"You should rest."
Lina shook her head.
"I want to stay."
Adrian hesitated.
Something about her stubbornness made him uneasy.
But he spoke firmly.
"You don't have to force yourself."
Lina's voice trembled.
"I'm not forcing myself…"
She looked at him.
"I'm your wife."
Adrian stayed silent.
Then he spoke quietly.
"I don't feel comfortable."
The words hit like a knife.
Lina's face turned pale.
"I see…"
She forced a small smile.
"I understand."
She picked up her bag slowly.
"I'll come tomorrow."
She turned to leave.
But before she reached the door—
Adrian suddenly spoke.
"Wait."
Lina turned quickly.
Hope flickered in her eyes.
"Yes?"
Adrian looked at her wrist.
"The bracelet…"
Lina looked down.
It was still there.
"Yes?"
Adrian frowned slightly.
"I gave you that?"
Lina's heart stopped.
"Yes… yesterday."
Adrian stayed silent.
He didn't remember.
But…
Seeing the bracelet on her wrist made his chest tighten strangely.
"I see…"
He looked away.
"You should keep it."
Lina nodded slowly.
"I will."
Then she left.
The door closed quietly.
Sophia watched Adrian carefully.
"You seem bothered."
Adrian shook his head.
"No."
But he couldn't ignore the strange feeling inside him.
The moment Lina walked out…
The room suddenly felt emptier.
And for the first time—
Adrian Blake felt something unfamiliar.
A faint…
Unexplainable loss.