Chapter 262

Chapter 262

Adeline stood before a painting, Waverly by her side, also gazing at the artwork.

"This one is called 'Hope'." Waverly said. "Although it only depicts a woman and a hand, it symbolizes a woman finding hope in despair."

Adeline nodded slightly. "Indeed. It seems you have a deep understanding of art."

Waverly smiled. "Did you come alone today?"

"Yes." Olivia had given Adeline an invitation. Hearing there was an art exhibition, Adeline, who sometimes sought inspiration by appreciating art, had decided to come.

"Why didn't Edward come with you?"

Adeline pursed her lips. "I didn't let him." He had recently, from some unknown source of enlightenment, changed his tactics. He was no longer resorting to forceful tactics or coercion. He had switched to seduction. And unfortunately for her, she was quite susceptible to it. Edward's face had always been her type. She had used this opportunity to get some fresh air.

"Your relationship is truly enviable." Waverly sighed. "If only Randy and I could be like you two."

"Of course you can. Don't overthink it." Adeline comforted her. "Actually, when I saw Randy the other day, I felt he was different from before."

Waverly's gaze dropped. Her mind flashed back to the image of Adeline and Randy embracing in the hallway. She cast a subtle glance at Adeline. "How could you tell?"

"You should ask him yourself." After some thought, Adeline decided not to say more. After all, it was their business. Besides, a wife was best wooed by her own husband; it was more sincere that way. She turned to look at another painting. The light above her head made a soft, almost inaudible sound. Everyone in the exhibition hall was engrossed in the various artworks, and no one noticed.

Waverly looked up, and seeing that Adeline was about to move on, she said, "Adeline, I think I just twisted my ankle. Could you help me?"

"Of course." Adeline said, walking over to support her, positioning herself directly under the chandelier. The chandelier swayed precariously, on the verge of falling.

Edward and Randy were walking towards the exhibition hall. Edward glanced at Randy. "When are you planning to propose to Waverly?"

"A surprise needs preparation. Why are you in more of a hurry than I am?"

"If you're not in a hurry to get married, why should I be?" Edward said, his hands in his pockets as he strolled forward. "But I suppose the one in the biggest hurry right now isn't you, but the child in Waverly's belly."

At the thought of his unborn child, Randy's lips curved into a slight smile. The novelty of becoming a father for the first time was a strange and wonderful feeling.

"Do you love her?" Edward suddenly asked.

Randy replied, "Is love that important? People don't always get together because of love. There are many other things to consider." Like responsibility. He used to think love was important, that what he couldn't have, he wanted all the more. But now he realized that there were many things in life more important than love.

Edward patted his shoulder. "Whether it's love or responsibility, whichever you choose, the ultimate goal is to be happy."

"Of course I'm happy. I'm finally going to experience what it's like to be a father, just like you." Randy laughed, his expression open and bright.

Edward's lips curved. "That's not necessarily true. Our Lily is the cutest person in the world. With your looks, you might not be able to produce such a cute daughter."

As he said this, he stepped into the exhibition hall, his eyes immediately locking onto Adeline in the distance. The chandelier above her head suddenly fell.

Edward's expression changed drastically. "Adeline! Move!"

With a loud crash, the chandelier hit the floor, shattering into a thousand pieces. Two figures were caught underneath.

Edward and Randy ran frantically towards them. The orderly art exhibition descended into chaos. The sound of ambulance sirens filled the streets. Adeline and Waverly, covered in blood and unconscious, were rushed to the hospital.

Edward and Randy stood in the hallway, both covered in blood. Soon, the door to the operating room opened. Adeline was the first to be wheeled out, still unconscious on the gurney.

Edward grabbed the doctor. "How is she?"

"She's fine, just some minor external injuries. She sustained a blow to the head, but it's not serious, a mild concussion. She's still unconscious, but her life is not in danger."

Hearing the doctor's words, Edward let out a huge sigh of relief. He turned to look at Randy, his expression complex, wanting to offer comfort but not knowing how. They had both seen it. At the critical moment, Waverly had pushed Adeline out of the way. Most of the blood on all four of them was Waverly's.

When Adeline woke up, Edward was by her side. "How are you feeling?" He carefully helped her sit up. Adeline leaned against the headboard and gently touched her forehead, feeling a layer of gauze.

"I'm fine, just a little nauseous."

"The doctor said it's normal to feel dizzy and nauseous with a mild concussion." Edward had specifically asked the doctor if there would be any after-effects when she woke up.

Adeline nodded weakly, her memory of the incident fragmented. She slowly pieced together the events before the accident. "Right, how is Waverly?"

Edward reassured her, "Her life is not in danger. She's in the ICU right now."

"And her baby?"

This time, Edward fell silent. A bad feeling rose in Adeline's heart. "Did something happen to her baby?"

"Just rest for now, okay?"

But the more he refused to answer, the more panicked Adeline became. "Don't lie to me. Tell me the truth." Her agitation made her head spin even more.

Edward didn't dare to hide it any longer. "Alright, I'll tell you the truth. Don't get worked up. Waverly's life was saved, but her baby wasn't."

Adeline almost fainted. Edward quickly sat on the edge of the bed, pulling her into his arms and gently comforting her. "Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault. No one could have predicted such an accident."

Adeline covered her face. "How could this happen? If I had known, I wouldn't have gone to the art exhibition. Can you take me to see her?" she pleaded, clutching Edward's sleeve.

Edward couldn't refuse. "Alright, I'll take you."

Waverly was still unconscious, and Randy had been by her side the entire time. Edward and Adeline didn't go in, just stood at the doorway of the ward for a few moments. When Randy came out, he quietly closed the door and looked at Adeline. "Why are you up? The doctor said you need to rest too."

"I'm sorry." Adeline said guiltily. "If only I hadn't gone to the art exhibition."

"How can you blame yourself for that? Accidents happen, and no one can predict them." Randy said, his face haggard after a sleepless night. "Don't blame yourself. Go back and rest." Adeline would have almost preferred for Randy to yell at her. The more he didn't blame her, the more her heart ached, the guilt almost crushing her.

After they left, Randy returned to the ward and sat by the bed, holding Waverly's hand. "Even though the baby is gone, I will still honor our engagement. Please wake up soon. The wedding is already prepared." He buried his face in her palm, not noticing the slight tremor of Waverly's fingertips, the flutter of her eyelashes, as if she were about to wake up. But the next moment, she was still again.

Adeline returned to her room and sat on the edge of the bed, lost in a daze. Edward knew that words of comfort were useless at this moment. He went to the bathroom and brought back a hot towel, the steam rising from it as he gently placed it on Adeline's face. She was startled, the warm steam seeming to dispel all the gloom.

"Just feel it." he said.

She quietly tilted her face up, only removing the towel when it had cooled. "How do you feel?" he asked.

"Much better." Adeline let out a breath, but the worries were only temporarily dispelled. "Waverly..."

Edward held her face in his hands and said seriously, "She saved you. We owe her a debt of gratitude, and I will repay it. But it has nothing to do with you. You don't need to feel guilty or burdened."

"How can it have nothing to do with me?"

"Whether it's a debt of gratitude or a debt of another kind, I will repay it."

Adeline disagreed. "She saved me, and it was because of me that she lost her child..."

Edward leaned down and kissed her, silencing all her arguments. After a moment, he pulled back. "What you owe her, I owe you. Let's just switch it. I'll repay her directly."

Adeline was bewildered by his logic. "What do you owe me?"

Edward took her hand and placed it over his heart. "I once misunderstood you, hurt you, and forced you when you came back. I am unforgivable, so I must slowly repay what I owe you. But I know you won't want it. So, I'll repay her instead."