[I hate you, Shane.]
[I know.]
[I hate...]
[Yes, yes. I know everything.]
He knew. Of course I did.
But since Adaline disappeared, Shane's life seemed to turn into an endless breath of hot sand. Every moment, every breath brought only one realization: she was gone.
This suffocation haunted him like a constant cramp in his chest.
The last meeting, the one that could no longer be returned, did not leave my memory. Sometimes he had difficulty controlling his impulses. Yes, he is alive...But the only person he truly loved is gone. She left without telling him how he could be happy now.
[I hate you. You who left me.]
[You showed me how cruel and empty this world is without you.]
[So I can't let go. Even if you cry.]
[Even if you hate me.]
He pulled the sleeping, curled up Adaline towards him and hugged her tightly, as if he was afraid that she would disappear again.
Only when her warm skin touched his, when her hot breath touched his neck, did Shane feel for the first time: he was breathing.
[You're alive.]
[You are here. You are Adaline.]
With these thoughts he fell asleep for the first time in a long time.
---He fired some of the servants in the mansion.
[It was not difficult: those who served under the previous duke had long since moved to the estate, leaving only new workers. The choice was left to Lloyd.]
Shane had always been annoyed that Adaline had chosen this boy, but no matter how he felt, Lloyd's usefulness could not be denied.
In just two days, he checked the background and character of all the servants, revealing who was prone to betrayal, who took bribes, and who was too weak.
He silently placed the list on Shane's desk and left to carry out Adalyn's next assignment.
[Of course he hates him.] - Shane thought.
[Like me then...]
[Yes, he really then threatened a child half his size. That scene evoked nothing but self-pity.]
He knew it was stupid, uncontrollable jealousy.
[But seeing Lloyd hovering around Adaline made him feel uncontrollable rage. Even now.]
"Lloyd...water..."
Adaline’s dull, hoarse voice, almost in oblivion, called someone else’s name.
Her hand gropingly reached forward, but soon froze in the air; she probably remembered that she had sent her assistant away.
Unable to bear it, Shane took her hand.
[If she had the strength, she would have pulled it away. But now her palm only tensed for a second, and then went limp.]
[That didn't mean she forgives him.]
[And it didn’t mean that he accepted.]
But even this touch brought Shane a strange joy. He touched her hot forehead with his palm.
Adaline took a dry, shallow breath.
“The temperature is not going down.” - she muttered with annoyance. Her cheeks were flushed, her forehead was damp.
“You're overtired. No wonder she fell ill. Too much has happened lately."
"Are you laughing at me?" - she grinned hoarsely.
“Who do you think is to blame for everything?”
"I." - he answered without hesitation.
“That’s why I will answer.”
“Then be kind enough to take responsibility somewhere away. Seeing you raises my temperature.”
He didn't blink an eye.
"You need to take your medicine."
"Disappear."
“You can’t do it on an empty stomach. Shall I make some broth for you?”
“He’ll throw up right away.”
Adaline tried to speak with dignity, but her eyes blurred from time to time. The strength was clearly fading.
“Perhaps you can still tell me what you want?”
"For what? You're not listening anyway. Even when I ask you to leave."
"You know me well."
“If you would at least shut up...”
She wanted to reproach him, but suddenly she shrank, closed her mouth, and turned pale. She began to feel sick.
Shane pulled a chair up to the bed. Adaline moved away.
“Don't come closer. You'll get sick."
“I’ve never had a cold in my life.”
"Terrible man..."
“You see. So now I’m more useful than your Lloyd.”
"You..."
[On what basis is he even sure that he can take care of someone?] - Adaline thought with hostility.
“Are you seriously competing with a child?”
He said nothing.
"Lloyd... he's so cute..."
[If Adaline continues to think Lloyd is cute, she and Shane will never get along. Although even without this, their characters were not on the way.]
[He decided that it was pointless to argue with a sick person. Better bring some medicine.]
“Wait, I’ll be right there.”
Adaline didn't answer.
[The temperature has risen...]
[She had almost no cough, but the fever persisted and her body ached.]
[The Blanchard family doctor has not dealt with truly sick people for a long time. The death of the former duchess was a thing of the past, and everyone else in the family was in enviable health.]
[He came with a whole bag of medicine, but hasn't found the right one yet. I gave it in small doses so as not to cause harm.]
Shane had already stood up, but then he felt Adaline grab his arm.
He looked down. She was sleeping, her eyes were closed, her face tense. The fingers held his palm tenaciously.
“Adaline...I need to get some medicine.”
She didn't answer.
A slight wrinkle on the bridge of the nose, compressed eyelids. It was as if she had fallen asleep while struggling with her own weakness.
[Her grip was weightless. He could easily pull his hand away.]
[But he didn't.]
He carefully sat back down, trying not to move so as not to drop her hand.
And so he sat until the morning, watching her sleep.