Chapter 9: The Jealous Heart
Adrian stood still at the end of the hallway.
His eyes were fixed on Lina.
And the man standing beside her.
The stranger's hand rested lightly on Lina's shoulder, and Lina didn't push him away.
Instead, she looked… comfortable.
Familiar.
Close.
Something twisted inside Adrian's chest.
It was sudden.
Sharp.
Unfamiliar.
He didn't like it.
Not at all.
He didn't even realize when his feet started moving.
Lina was still talking to Ethan.
"I didn't expect you to come," she said softly.
Ethan smiled.
"I was nearby. When I heard the news, I got worried."
Lina's eyes softened.
"Thank you."
Ethan looked at her carefully.
"You look tired."
Lina laughed faintly.
"I didn't sleep much."
"You should take care of yourself," Ethan said gently.
"I'm trying."
Ethan hesitated, then spoke again.
"If things get too hard… you can come stay with me."
Lina froze.
"Ethan…"
Before she could reply—
A cold voice interrupted.
"Who is he?"
Lina turned.
Her eyes widened.
"Adrian…"
Adrian stood behind them.
His expression calm.
But his eyes…
Cold.
Sharp.
Unfamiliar.
Ethan looked at Adrian calmly.
"And you are?"
Adrian stepped closer.
"I'm her husband."
The air instantly became tense.
Ethan looked surprised.
"Oh…"
He turned to Lina.
"You didn't tell me."
Lina nodded awkwardly.
"He just woke up."
Ethan understood.
"The memory loss?"
Lina nodded again.
Adrian's eyes moved between them.
"Answer my question."
Lina quickly replied.
"This is Ethan. My college friend."
Ethan extended his hand.
"Ethan Walker."
Adrian glanced at the hand.
Then shook it briefly.
"Adrian Blake."
The handshake was short.
Cold.
Ethan smiled slightly.
"I've heard a lot about you."
Adrian looked at Lina.
"You talk about me?"
Lina blinked.
"Sometimes…"
Adrian didn't reply.
But his chest felt strange again.
Ethan looked at Lina.
"You should go back. He shouldn't be alone."
Lina nodded.
"Okay."
Ethan smiled gently.
"I'll visit again."
Lina smiled softly.
"Thank you."
Ethan gave her one last look.
Then left.
Adrian watched him go.
His eyes slightly dark.
Lina turned toward Adrian.
"You shouldn't be walking around."
Adrian ignored her.
"Are you close?"
Lina blinked.
"With Ethan?"
Adrian nodded.
"We're just friends."
Adrian stared at her.
"Just friends?"
Lina nodded.
"Yes."
Adrian looked away.
For some reason…
He didn't feel relieved.
Instead, the strange discomfort remained.
They walked back toward the room quietly.
The silence between them felt heavy.
Finally, Lina spoke.
"Are you feeling okay?"
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
But after a moment, he asked again—
"Did you date him?"
Lina stopped walking.
Her eyes widened.
"What?"
"Ethan."
Lina shook her head quickly.
"No."
Adrian looked at her carefully.
"Then why does he care about you so much?"
Lina hesitated.
"He's just… a good friend."
Adrian didn't reply.
But something inside him whispered—
He didn't like it.
Not at all.
—
Back inside the hospital room…
Mrs. Blake noticed their expressions.
"What happened?"
Lina smiled faintly.
"Nothing."
Sophia looked at Adrian.
"You walked out?"
Adrian nodded.
"Just for air."
Sophia's eyes softened.
"You should be careful."
She stepped closer to him.
But Adrian unconsciously stepped slightly away.
Sophia froze.
Lina noticed.
Mrs. Blake also noticed.
Sophia quickly smiled.
"I'll get some water."
She turned away.
But her fingers tightened.
She saw everything.
Adrian followed Lina's movement.
Without realizing.
Sophia's eyes darkened.
—
That night…
Lina stayed again.
Mrs. Blake and Mr. Blake left after dinner.
Sophia also left.
The room became quiet.
Lina arranged Adrian's pillow.
"You should sleep early."
Adrian nodded.
But he didn't close his eyes.
Instead, he watched Lina quietly.
She looked tired.
But she still smiled gently.
Just like always.
After a moment, he spoke.
"Do you still love me?"
Lina froze.
Her hands stopped moving.
She looked at him.
Their eyes met.
"Yes," she answered softly.
Adrian's chest tightened.
"Even though I don't remember you?"
Lina nodded.
"Yes."
Adrian looked confused.
"Why?"
Lina smiled faintly.
"Because my heart remembers… even if you don't."
Adrian stared at her silently.
Her words felt warm.
But also heavy.
He didn't know what to say.
Lina stepped back.
"I'll sleep here again."
She sat in the chair.
Just like yesterday.
Hours passed.
Adrian couldn't sleep.
His mind kept replaying the scene from earlier.
Ethan standing close to Lina.
Talking softly.
Smiling.
His chest tightened again.
Finally—
He spoke quietly.
"Lina."
She looked up.
"Yes?"
"Don't see him too often."
Lina blinked.
"What?"
"Ethan."
Lina looked confused.
"Why?"
Adrian hesitated.
He didn't know how to explain.
"I just… don't like it."
Lina's heart skipped.
"Don't like… what?"
Adrian looked away.
"I don't know."
But Lina understood.
Her heart beat faster.
"Are you… jealous?"
Adrian froze.
Jealous?
Was he?
He didn't know.
But…
He didn't deny it.
"I don't know," he repeated quietly.
Lina's eyes softened.
A small warmth filled her chest.
Even without memories…
His heart was reacting.
Maybe…
There was still hope.
She smiled gently.
"Okay."
Adrian looked at her.
"You agree?"
Lina nodded.
"Yes."
Adrian didn't know why…
But hearing that made him feel lighter.
Slowly…
He closed his eyes.
And for the first time since waking up—
He slept peacefully.
While beside him—
Lina watched quietly.
Her heart filled with fragile hope.
Because Adrian Blake…
Was starting to care.
Even if he didn't remember why.