Chapter 7

Elara POV

I stayed in the restroom for nearly twenty minutes. Finally, I turned on the faucet, splashed cold water on my face, and felt some of the dull ache in my heart dissipate before pushing the door open.

Just as I exited the restroom, I saw Adrian's tall, slender frame standing outside the door.

He looked up at me. "Why were you in the restroom for almost half an hour?"

My footsteps faltered slightly, and I casually replied, "My stomach was a little upset."

"Is it serious?" He frowned slightly.

"Nothing major." I didn't want to dwell on the topic, so I changed the subject. "Were you waiting for me here? Do you need something?"

Adrian stood with his hands in his pockets. "You've been out of the room for so long, I was a little worried, so I came to check."

I pursed my lips and nodded.

"Let's go, I'll take you home."

I was a little surprised. "We're leaving just like that?"

"Isn't your stomach upset?" he asked flatly. "Do you want to stay here?"

I certainly didn't want to stay.

I thought for a moment and said, "It's rare for you to gather with your classmates. You can stay longer. I'll just take a cab back by myself."

Adrian looked at me with a puzzled expression for a long time but didn't ask anything further.

He suddenly spoke. "Everything they said just now was a joke. You don't need to take it seriously."

I was surprised, startled.

He... was he explaining himself to me?

Seeing that I remained silent, Adrian gestured again. "Let's go, we're heading back."

He turned and walked ahead, his back straight and distant.

I followed behind him, watching his retreating figure. In that moment, a feeling stirred within my heart. Perhaps he actually cared about me.

But that thought didn't last long.

Less than five minutes later, reality told me it was just my imagination.

Adrian pulled his car up to me and lowered the window, signaling me to get in.

Just as I reached for the passenger door, a petite figure darted forward and opened it first.

"Adrian!" Chloe, grinning, slid into the passenger seat and buckled up. "I'm heading back too. Can you drop me off?"

Then she gave me an apologetic smile. "Dr. Jenkins, I'm sorry, but I've had a bit to drink and feel dizzy. I want to sit in the front. Is it okay if you sit in the back?"

I looked at her, then at Adrian in the driver's seat.

Adrian remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

As the car owner, he showed no intention of telling Chloe to sit in the back. If I spoke up, I'd be the one seeming out of line.

So, without a word, I turned and opened the back door.

The car's interior was filled with a faint woodsy scent, Adrian's usual car air freshener.

Chloe chattered non-stop as soon as she got in, making the atmosphere very lively.

"Adrian, I'm so happy you came today!"

"Oh, right, remember that Michelin-starred restaurant we went to last time? I went again by myself, and their new dish was absolutely delicious! Next time, you have to try it with me!"

"My dad asked me yesterday if you had some free time soon. He wants to invite you over for dinner and maybe show you his art collection..."

She spoke of topics exclusively theirs, ones I couldn't enter.

Adrian didn't say much, but he responded to every one of her statements, his tone unusually gentle.

I simply turned my head to gaze at the rapidly receding night view outside the window, pretending I wasn't there.

As the car drove steadily, suddenly, a dark shadow darted out from the roadside bushes.

"Look out!"

Adrian sharply swerved the wheel, trying to avoid it, but the car crashed violently into the roadside barrier.

With a loud bang, the immense impact threw all three of us forward.

In a flash, I saw Adrian instinctively reach out to shield Chloe, pulling her into his arms.

"Ah!" Chloe screamed, curling up in his embrace. "Adrian! I'm so scared..."

"It's okay, don't be afraid," Adrian whispered, patting her back. "We just hit the barrier; the car has stopped. Are you hurt?"

"I don't know. I'm just so scared." Chloe sobbed, her face buried in his chest.

Adrian comforted her for a few more moments. Once Chloe's emotions had stabilized, he finally remembered there was someone in the back seat.

He turned his head, glancing at me in the back, about to ask if I was okay.

But in the next second, his pupils suddenly constricted.

Blood was gushing from my forehead, winding down my cheek and staining my pale face.

I sat there quietly. No screaming, no crying, not even a whimper of pain.

"Elara!"