Chapter 202
Adeline quietly slipped out of the room and spotted a young woman outside the office.
The girl was looking around curiously.
Adeline approached her and asked, "Who are you looking for?"
"I'm looking for Ms. Sophia Turner."
"That's me."
The young woman immediately extended her hand with enthusiasm. "Hello, Ms. Turner! I'm Orla. Mr. Robinson sent me to be your personal assistant. I can do lots of things—cooking, cleaning, and help with your work tasks. I even used to be an editor. Here's my medical report and references from my previous positions."
Orla handed the documents to Adeline.
Adeline hesitated. "You don't need to show me these. I trust you."
The contract had specified that Aaron would provide a professional assistant to help with her work and handle things she couldn't manage herself.
Orla beamed. "Don't worry, Ms. Turner. I'll take excellent care of you!"
Adeline thought Orla looked somewhat familiar, with a kind face.
"I believe you. I guess we're partners now."
"Yes, partners."
Orla's smile was radiant, while Adeline, seated in her wheelchair, offered a quiet, subdued smile.
In the break room, Edward felt parched. He got up to get water and happened to glimpse the two women through the door crack.
Something felt wrong.
Adeline should have a brilliant smile, too.
Edward turned away.
His Adeline should be the most adorable, sunshine-filled girl in the world.
With Orla's arrival, things became easier for Adeline.
At least when facing Edward, she wasn't alone anymore.
Whether it was caring for Edward or washing towels, Orla eagerly volunteered.
Adeline simply watched from the sidelines.
Edward lay with his eyes closed, brow furrowed. When Orla attempted to place a cool towel on his forehead, he opened his eyes.
His gaze was ice-cold, causing Orla to step back in alarm.
"Get out."
The towel dropped to the floor as Orla turned and fled, hiding behind Adeline.
"He's so scary," she whispered.
Adeline hadn't expected such a strong reaction from Edward. He'd been cooperative when she'd offered the towel earlier. Was the fever making him delirious?
She cautiously approached.
"Mr. Thomas?"
This time, Edward didn't resist.
He simply watched her with those deep, penetrating eyes.
Adeline pressed her lips together and said to Orla, "Hand me the towel and wait outside."
Orla hurried out, clearly relieved.
Adeline hesitated, towel in hand.
If Edward told her to get out too, she honestly didn't have the patience to stay.
Edward remained silent, just watching her.
Adeline took a deep breath and carefully placed the towel on his forehead.
He remained quiet.
Looking at him, Adeline felt a spark of irritation. "You're sick and still so demanding. What was wrong with Orla?"
Edward pressed his lips together, saying nothing.
No one was Adeline. No one else would do.
Outside, Orla waited nervously.
"Mr. Thomas has such a terrible temper," she muttered.
Aaron happened to walk by and overheard. "What's going on?"
Orla immediately launched into complaints.
"Mr. Robinson, why does Mr. Thomas dislike me so much?"
Aaron replied calmly, "He doesn't dislike you specifically—he dislikes everyone."
The only person he didn't detest was Adeline, and she was reluctant to be near him.
What a twisted fate.
Orla didn't understand. "Then why doesn't Mr. Thomas get angry when Ms. Turner approaches him?"
Aaron didn't answer. He peered through the doorway and saw Edward lying obediently in bed, allowing Adeline to place the towel on his forehead.
Docile in a way that seemed unlike him.
Aaron turned to Orla. "Have you ever kept a wolf?"
"No, but I've had a dog. My dog was loyal and obedient—only listened to me."
Unfortunately, it had died.
"Some people are born with a wolf's loyalty and stubbornness," Aaron leaned against the wall. "In their entire life, they recognize only one person. Even if that person doesn't want them anymore, even through mountains and rivers, they'll always find their way back."
But a wolf was still a wolf. When abandoned, they could still go mad.
Edward had fallen asleep again.
Adeline sensed something was wrong and placed her hand on his forehead. It felt hot.
This wasn't good.
He needed to go to the hospital.
But as she started to leave, Edward grabbed her hand.
"Adeline..."
Adeline froze.
Did he recognize her?
When she turned back, Edward was still asleep, merely murmuring in his dreams.
"Don't go..."
Adeline stared at him, stunned.
If only he had said these words earlier, how different things might have been.
She slowly withdrew her hand.
The next moment, as if startled awake but still with eyes closed, his hands grasped wildly in the air, looking for all the world like someone abandoned.
Adeline caught his wrist. "Edward, you need to wake up."
He suddenly calmed.
He just held her hand, gripping tightly.
As if letting go meant losing everything.
The door opened.
Aaron stood in the doorway, taking in the scene. "Need any help?"
Adeline instinctively adjusted her mask with her free hand. "He has a fever. He needs to go to the hospital."
"He can't go."
"Why not?"
Aaron's gaze fell on Edward's prone form.
Edward was tall, and when standing, combined with his stern face, he had an intimidating presence.
So much so that many people forgot Edward wasn't invincible—he was someone who could hurt, suffer, and cry.
"Two years ago, something happened. Since then, he can't go to hospitals anymore."
"What do you mean?"
Aaron didn't answer. Instead, he approached to examine Edward. "He's sweating through his clothes. Come with me to get him some fresh ones."
Adeline didn't understand.
"You can go by yourself. Now that you're back, Edward is your responsibility."
"Ms. Turner, don't you want to know why he can't go to the hospital?"
Aaron looked at her.
For a moment, Adeline felt as if he could see right through her.
But quickly, he averted his gaze.
After a moment of silence, Adeline nodded. "Alright, I'll come with you."
They returned to Edward's home.
During her previous visit, Adeline had only seen Edward's study and Lily's room.
This time, Aaron led her to Edward's bedroom.
When the door opened, Adeline almost thought it was nighttime.
The room was pitch black, with curtains blocking all light. Aaron pulled back the heavy drapes, allowing sunlight to finally filter in, though it couldn't dispel the room's coldness.
"This room hasn't seen sunlight in two years."
Aaron had been just as shocked as she was when he first saw this room.
Adeline's throat felt dry. "Why is it like this?"
"Two years ago, the woman he loved disappeared in the mountains. Everyone believed she was dead, and Edward accepted that reality."
Aaron's voice turned hoarse.
He tugged at his tie, as if that might make the thin air more substantial.
"But six months later, I accidentally entered this room..."
That was when he discovered the truth.
Edward hadn't healed at all—he had simply hidden all his abnormality beneath a veneer of normalcy.
He was already gravely ill.
"I eventually convinced him to see a therapist. The diagnosis was trauma-specific phobia."
A severe psychological trauma was produced after experiencing or learning about a life-threatening situation involving a loved one.
Aaron's gaze settled on Adeline.
"What Edward fears isn't hospitals."
It was the color white.
Adeline suddenly realized something—since reuniting with Edward, he had never worn white.