Adam had said it himself—things between him and Celine were over. Carly was ecstatic. She threw herself into Adam’s arms, hugging him tightly. “Adam, I know Celine is good at seducing men. I don’t blame you for liking her a little. But I know you’d never leave me. I’m the one you love most.”
It was true; he felt something for Celine. But the one he loved most, the one he would always love, was Carly—his girl, the girl from the cave.
Adam wrapped his arms around Carly, holding her close. Hayden’s face lit up with satisfaction. As long as Carly was happy, he was happy too. Lucy was also pleased, but her eyes darkened with malice at the thought of Celine. She couldn’t believe that Celine, that country girl, had managed to stir even a flicker of interest in Adam. “That little tramp!” she muttered.
Meanwhile, Celine had just arrived at the hospital. Nathan was already packed and ready for discharge.
“Mr. Lynch, I’m so sorry. Something came up, and I got here late,” Celine said apologetically.
Nathan gave her a faint smile. “It’s fine. Let’s go.”
“Okay, I’ll grab the luggage,” Celine offered.
She walked over to pick up the bags, which were heavier than expected. Exhausted and sore, she lost her balance and stumbled.
“Celine, be careful!”
Nathan reached out quickly, steadying her with his arm around her waist. The sudden movement sent them both tumbling onto the hospital bed, Nathan landing on top of her.
At that exact moment, Adam, a tall, commanding figure, appeared in the doorway. Carly and Nathan were in the same hospital, and with Nathan’s discharge that day, Adam had decided to visit. But as he stepped through the door, the scene before him stopped him cold: Nathan pinned Celine on the hospital bed, their bodies tangled in an intimate position.
Adam froze, his body stiffening. He still clearly remembered Celine’s rejection the previous night. And now, here she was, entangled with Nathan on a hospital bed. A bitter, mocking smile curved Adam’s lips. Without a word, he turned and stormed off, radiating cold fury.
Nathan looked down at Celine, concern etched across his face. “Celine, are you okay?”
Still shaken, Celine quickly shook her head. “I’m fine.”
Nathan immediately released her, and they both sat up. “Let the driver take care of the luggage,” he suggested.
Celine nodded, still catching her breath. But before she could respond, a voice drifted in from outside: “Mr. Alvarez.”
Celine’s heart skipped a beat. Adam? Adam is here, in this hospital? Without thinking, she shot to her feet and bolted from the room. In the hallway, she spotted Adam’s tall figure retreating in the distance.
“Adam!” she called, her voice urgent.
Adam didn’t stop, didn’t even glance back. “Adam!” she called again, quickening her pace. Just then, a nurse pushing a cart rolled into her path. “Excuse me! Please move aside!” the nurse called.
Celine had no time to react and collided with the cart.
“Celine!” Nathan rushed forward, catching her before she fell. “Celine, you’re hurt!” Her slender arm had slammed against the cart, scraping the skin and causing bleeding.
By the time Celine looked up again, Adam was gone. His tall figure had disappeared around the corner. Her gaze dropped to the blood dripping from her arm.
Later, back at the women’s dormitory, Celine lay on her bed, holding her phone. She opened WhatsApp and typed a message to her best friend, Robin: “Robin, I have a friend. She slept with her husband for the first time, but afterward, he’s been avoiding her and won’t talk to her. Why do you think he’s acting like that?”
When it came to relationships, Celine was utterly inexperienced. Adam was the first man she had ever been with, and she had no idea how to navigate this.