The nurse left after making sure everything was tinder control.

From outside the door, Leo’s voice echoed, “Mr. Alvarez, your hand injury can’t wait any longer. You need to get it treated immediately, or it may get worse.”

celine looked up and saw Adam’s tall, imposing figure standing by the door. He had been there all along.

Leo turned toward bCeline /bband /bpleaded, “Mrs. Alvarez, Mr. Alvarez’s hand has been bleeding this whole time. Please say something.”

Her gaze shifted to the blood pooling on the floor. Judging by the severity of his wound, his hand would likely need numerous stitches. She stood up and walked to

the door.

When Adam saw her approaching, he shifted his broad frame slightly, and a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes.

Leo eximed, “Mrs. Alvarez, I know you still care about Mr. Alvarez. Mr. Alvarez, let’s get your hand-”

Before he could finish, Celine reached out and firmly shut the door in their faces.

The two men were left staring at the closed door, the force of it brushing against their faces. Leo bwas /btongue–btied/b.

The light in Adam’s eyes dimmed instantly. Through the small window, he watched as Celine returned to Nathan’s bedside, held his hand, and rested her head there she closed her eyes, slowly falling asleep.

Adam’s thin lips curled into a self–mocking smile.

A week passed, and Adam knew Nathan had bwoken /bup. He had recovered well during this time,

b?and /bspa treatments

In the CEO’s office, Adam was reviewing documents when his phone rang. It was a call from Mary. Ever since celine had taken her out fortte bat /bduring theirst outing, she had been grounded.

“Hello, Grandma.”

“Adam, what have you and Celine been up totely? bWhy /bhaven’t either of you visited me? Bring her back for dinner btonight/b. I miss you both,” said bMary/b, her loving voice radiating from the phone.

Adam’s left hand was still wrapped in white gauze. He had received 23 stitchesb, /bband /bthe wound had yet to heal. Holding his phone in his right hand, he remained silent.

He knew that for bthe /b

or the past week, Celine had stayed at the hospital to btake /bcare of Nathan without leaving his side.

“Adam, did you hear me? I asked byou /bto bring Celine back for dinner.”

His handsome face remained emotionless bas /bhe answered, “Okay.”

That evening, Adam returned to Alvarez Residence. Mary greeted him with excitement, but her joy quickly faded.

“Adam, why bare /byou alone? bWhere’s /bCeline?”

He had driven back by himself.

Seeing the disappointment on her face, he replied, “Grandma, she’s busy with school. If you miss her, just give her a call band /bask her toe home for diner.” Mary immediately picked up thendline phone in the living room. “Then I’ll call her right now,”

Adam sat down on the sofa and casually picked up a business newspaper to read.

The call quickly connected, and Celine’s clear, pleasant bvoice /bcame through. “Hello, Grandma ”

“Celine, have you been busytely? Why haven’t youe to see me? I’ve asked the chef to prepare a bspread /btonight. Come back and

Mary smiled and answered, ” luve dinner with me.”

At that moment, ba /bmaid approached and ced ba /bcup of tea beside Adam. “Mr. Alvarez, please have some tea

He didn’t respond. It was as if he hadn’t heard bit/b.

Tinged with apology, Celine’s voice came through again “Grandma, I’m sorry. A friend of mine is in the hospital, and I need to bstay /bwith him tonight, I can’te backfordinner.”