Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Iris Bennett's POV

"Based on the test results, Mrs. Stuart's recovery is going well." The Healer placed the examination report in front of Adrian and me.

"We compared the current indicators with the previous ones. She's definitely happier now."

It seemed she preferred living with us rather than staying in the house in the valley.

"That's wonderful." I said sincerely.

Although living together wasn't good news for me, at least her health was improving. That was enough.

Soon, I wouldn't need to stay here pretending to be a loving couple with Adrian anymore. Neither of us would need to torture each other.

"However, this is only temporary. If the patient experiences emotional fluctuations, I'm afraid the situation could revert to what it was before. You'll need to plan carefully for that."

The doctor pushed the lab results from the last emergency in front of us.

"The patient's last incident was entirely due to severe emotional distress. If you can avoid that, she can live a healthy life."

I thought I understood why she couldn't leave Adrian and me.

She didn't want to see those Rogue Wolves, and she didn't want to face the fact that Adrian and I were about to separate. So now this had become another problem Adrian and I had to face.

After the doctor left the room, we fell into an awkward silence again.

Last time Adrian and I left so hastily, we nearly caused a tragedy. This time we absolutely wouldn't do that.

Only, I couldn't discuss this properly with him right now. My stomach started churning again, as if someone was grabbing it and twisting it around inside my belly.

"Adrian, why don't you go have a good talk with Mrs. Stuart? I have some things to take care of." I fled the room as I spoke.

I rushed into the nearest restroom and vomited everything I'd eaten. By the end, there was nothing left to bring up.

If he noticed something wrong, he'd probably send me for tests immediately. Then it would be even harder to leave Adrian.

He would never allow me to take his heir away easily.

"You should rest properly, Iris." My wolf's voice was gentler than usual.

"You've been suffering too much lately."

"But it's almost over, isn't it?" I coughed a few times, supporting myself on the sink and looking at myself in the mirror.

"We'll be able to leave Bloodridge Pack soon."

I looked better than before, but nowhere near my pre-pregnancy state. And perhaps my condition would only get worse.

"Before that, you two still have a lot to discuss, Iris. You shouldn't keep running away."

"Alright, you're right." I fixed my hair and smiled at the mirror.

I couldn't keep dragging this out.

Considering what happened last time, we needed to come up with a more suitable excuse this time. Maybe I could do what Zoe did—go stay with another pack for a few years? By then, I'd have successfully given birth. As long as we didn't do a paternity test, no one could find the biological father.

So as long as we could resolve the issue with Adrian's mother, nothing else mattered.

I took a deep breath and walked out of the restroom with all my strength.

As I pushed open the door, I nearly bumped into someone's chest.

"Sorry... wait, Adrian?" I lowered my voice. Why would he suddenly show up here?

But then I thought of a possibility.

"Are you following me?"

"Don't flatter yourself, Iris. Besides, if you weren't hiding something from me, why would you be so worried about me showing up?" Adrian gripped my arm tightly.

I struggled desperately, but he only gripped tighter.

"Are you hiding something from me?"

"Oh, I thought you went to see Mrs. Stuart." I stopped struggling and looked up at him blankly.

"So you startled me. That's all."

"Who exactly do you want to see? Can't you just tell me?" Adrian raised his left eyebrow, but showed no sign of letting go.

I was too tired to keep arguing with him.

"Whatever you want to talk about, let's discuss it after we've settled things with Mrs. Stuart, okay?" I changed my tone, trying to sound as gentle as possible.

"If you keep suspecting me like this, I won't be able to maintain stable emotions in front of her."

I could probably understand what he wanted to talk about—it was probably about Zoe. If I were him, I'd do the same.

He definitely didn't want me to tell anyone about Zoe hurting me. Her clinic was about to open, and this would certainly affect her business.

Considering their relationship, even if he wouldn't make Zoe his mate, he would definitely help her unconditionally.

But as long as we could peacefully dissolve the mate bond, I could endure all of this.

Adrian had helped me. This would be my repayment to him.

"We can come up with an excuse together, but you have to talk to me properly." Adrian looked at me with a cold expression.

"Of course." I answered quickly.

I still hoped we could go back to being friends. I didn't want to lose him forever.

Adrian's expression softened slightly. He released my arm and stood there staring into my eyes.

"When you came, didn't you explain things to your mother properly? I'm afraid she'll suspect something." I sighed. His gaze made me uncomfortable, as if he could see through all my thoughts.

"You don't need to worry about that. She's the wolf in this world who most wants us to be together." He smiled, but for a moment, his eyes looked like they might cry.

"She knows I came to find you and she's overjoyed. For her, there's probably nothing better than seeing us together."

If only Adrian and I didn't have that contract. We'd still be close friends, and his mother's illness wouldn't have worsened because of us.

But since this had already happened, there was no way to regret it.

"I understand. Let me think it over." As I finished speaking, Adrian turned and walked toward his mother's hospital room.

How strange. He clearly didn't want to say a word to me, so why was he doing this? He was only making things more complicated.

What should I do? Moon Goddess, who could help me?

"Iris?"

A familiar voice sounded behind me. I turned around. A tall figure was standing by the window, waving at me.

"What a coincidence, we meet again."