Kai woke the following morning with Adrian’s hand still wrapped around his. For a few seconds, he forgot where he was. Then the hospital corridor came back to him—the harsh lighting, the uncomfortable chairs, the distant footsteps of nurses moving through the ward. Adrian was sitting beside him, his head tilted slightly against the wall. His eyes were closed, but Kai knew he had not slept properly. Kai studied him. The powerful CEO who made entire boardrooms fall silent looked strangely human in the dim morning light. His shirt was creased. His hair was slightly disordered. And his hand was warm. Kai gently tried to pull away. Adrian’s eyes opened immediately. “Where are you going?” Kai blinked. “Good morning to you too.” Adrian glanced at their joined hands, then back at him. “You were leaving.” “I was trying to stand.” “That’s suspicious.” “You’re rubbing off on me.” Adrian released his hand, though his fingers lingered for a moment before moving away. “How is your father?” “He’s still sleeping.” “And your mother?” “Also sleeping. She finally stopped pretending she wasn’t tired.” Adrian nodded. Kai looked at him more closely. “Did you sleep at all?” “Some.” “That’s a lie.” “Your concern is becoming aggressive.” “Your health is becoming my problem.” Adrian’s expression changed. Only slightly. But Kai noticed. “Don’t,” Kai said. “I didn’t say anything.” “You thought something.” “I think many things.” “Unfortunately.” Adrian looked away, but the corner of his mouth lifted. Kai felt a quiet warmth settle in his chest. Then he remembered the time. “You should leave.” Adrian turned back to him. “Why?” “You have work.” “I know.” “Your investor meeting.” “Finished.” “The supplier?” “Being handled.” Kai narrowed his eyes. “You’re making it sound like you have nothing else to do.” “I have plenty to do.” “Then go.” Adrian remained silent for a moment. “I wanted to stay.” The simple answer left Kai without a response. He looked down at his hands. “You can’t keep putting everything aside for me.” “I’m not putting everything aside.” “You came here after an investor meeting.” “Yes.” “You probably haven’t eaten.” “I had coffee.” Kai stared at him. Adrian sighed. “And a sandwich.” “Half?” “Most of one.” Kai shook his head. “You’re impossible.” “You’ve said that before.” “And I’ll keep saying it until you improve.” Adrian looked at him steadily. “I don’t mind.” Kai’s heart stumbled. He quickly stood before Adrian could notice. “Come on. I need to check on my father.” Adrian rose beside him. Neither of them mentioned that Kai had not let go of his hand until they reached the room. ⸻ His father was awake when they entered. He looked at Adrian, then at Kai. A faint smile appeared on his face. “So this is him.” Kai froze. “Dad.” Adrian straightened politely. “Sir.” His father glanced between them. “The one who keeps making my son smile at his phone.” Kai’s face warmed. “You should rest.” “I am resting.” “Then rest quietly.” His father chuckled, though the movement caused him to wince. Kai immediately stepped forward. “Are you in pain?” “A little.” His mother woke in the chair beside the bed and quickly stood. The nurse was called, and Kai’s attention shifted entirely to his father. Adrian stayed near the door. He did not interfere. He watched Kai help his mother adjust the pillow, speak with the nurse, and check the medication schedule. Kai moved with practiced efficiency, but Adrian could see the strain in every movement. When the nurse left, Kai returned to the bedside. His father reached for his hand. “You should go to school.” Kai gave him a disbelieving look. “You’re in a hospital and you’re worried about my attendance?” “Your exams won’t wait for me.” “I know.” “And you have work.” “I know.” His father sighed. “Don’t destroy your future trying to save the present.” Kai’s expression tightened. Adrian looked away, giving him the privacy to absorb the words. Kai sat down beside the bed. “I’m not destroying anything.” His father watched him quietly. “You’ve always been stubborn,” he said. Kai smiled faintly. “You raised me.” “That’s why I know.” His father squeezed his hand weakly. “Let people help you when they can.” Kai’s gaze flickered toward Adrian. Adrian remained still. He did not look pleased. He did not look expectant. He simply waited. Kai turned back to his father. “You should sleep.” His father smiled. “There you are again.” ⸻ By noon, the doctor had confirmed that his father could return home, provided he followed the revised medication plan and completed the required tests. Kai listened carefully, writing down every instruction. The doctor gave him several referral forms. “Some of the tests may be expensive,” he explained. “You should speak with the hospital’s financial assistance office. There may be payment arrangements available.” Kai looked up. “Payment arrangements?” “Yes. Ask the administrative department before making any payment.” For the first time that morning, something resembling relief touched his face. It was not enough to solve everything. But it was an option he had not considered. Outside the room, Kai leaned against the wall and reread the paperwork. Adrian stood beside him. “You didn’t know about the assistance office,” he said. “No.” “Would you like me to help you find out more?” Kai looked at him. Adrian continued before Kai could react. “Not through my company. Not through a private arrangement. Just information.” Kai lowered his eyes to the forms. He had been so focused on avoiding Adrian’s money that he had almost refused to consider help that did not come from Adrian at all. “I can ask the hospital,” he said. “I know.” Kai glanced at him. “You don’t have to agree with everything I say.” “I don’t.” “Really?” “You’re wrong quite often.” Kai gasped. “You came to the hospital just to insult me?” “I came because you asked me to.” The words quieted him. Kai looked at Adrian. “You remember that?” “I remember everything you say.” The corridor seemed to grow still around them. Kai looked away first. “Don’t say things like that.” “Why?” “Because you make them sound serious.” Adrian’s gaze remained on him. “They are serious.” Kai’s breath caught. Before he could respond, his mother called his name from the room. Kai turned immediately. Adrian stepped aside. But this time, Kai reached for his hand before walking away. ⸻ That evening, Kai returned home with his parents. His father went straight to bed. His mother prepared something light for him to eat, and Kai organized the medication beside the bedside table. Adrian waited near the entrance. He had not attempted to enter the house until Kai invited him. Even then, he had stayed quiet, greeting Kai’s mother respectfully and refusing the tea she insisted on preparing. Now he stood with his keys in his hand. “You should rest,” he told Kai. Kai leaned against the wall. “You’ve said that six times today.” “And you haven’t listened once.” “I’m considering it.” “That’s progress.” Kai looked at him. The day had been long. His body felt heavy, and his mind was filled with unfinished thoughts. But Adrian was leaving. The realization brought an unexpected emptiness. “Your company,” Kai said. “How bad is it?” Adrian’s expression became more serious. “Bad enough.” “That’s not a proper answer.” “The investor approved the revised plan, but the supplier agreement is still uncertain. We have until Monday to secure the shipment.” Kai frowned. “And if you don’t?” “We’ll lose time and money.” “Just money?” Adrian hesitated. “Several contracts may be affected. People’s jobs could be at risk.” Kai absorbed that quietly. For the first time, he understood that Adrian’s crisis was not simply a wealthy man worrying about business figures. People depended on him too. Employees. Families. Partners. Perhaps Adrian felt the same impossible pressure Kai did—the belief that if he stopped holding everything together, everyone else would fall. “You should go,” Kai said. Adrian studied him. “Are you sure?” “Yes.” “You don’t sound sure.” Kai folded his arms. “Don’t make me repeat myself.” Adrian stepped closer. “Tell me if you need anything.” Kai’s expression softened. “I know.” “And Kai?” “Hmm?” “Don’t decide what I can handle for me.” Kai went still. Adrian’s voice remained gentle. “You don’t have to protect me from your problems.” Kai looked down. The words struck deeper than he expected. “I’m trying not to become another problem in your life.” “You’re not.” “You have enough happening.” “I know.” “And I don’t want you to regret—” “Kai.” He stopped. Adrian waited until Kai met his eyes. “I have never regretted choosing to be beside you.” Kai’s throat tightened. “You haven’t chosen me,” he whispered. “Not completely.” Adrian’s expression shifted. Kai immediately regretted saying it. But he could not take the words back. Adrian stepped closer, his voice low. “What makes you think that?” Kai looked toward the bedroom where his father was resting. “Because every time things get difficult, we both disappear into our own problems. You go to your company. I go to work. And we pretend we can keep everything separate.” Adrian said nothing. Kai laughed quietly, though there was no humor in it. “I know it’s not fair. You have responsibilities. So do I. But sometimes I wonder if there’s actually room for me in your life.” Adrian’s jaw tightened. “There is.” “Then why does it feel like I’m always waiting for whatever time you have left?” The silence that followed was painful. Kai’s heart began to pound. He had not planned to say any of this. He had only wanted Adrian to leave without worrying. Instead, all the things he had been holding back had found their way out. Adrian looked at him for a long moment. Then he said, “You’re right.” Kai blinked. “What?” “You’re right that I’ve been dividing my life into things I can control and things I can’t. Work is easier because I know what to do with a crisis there.” Kai said nothing. “But you aren’t a crisis,” Adrian continued. “And neither are your problems.” His voice became quieter. “I don’t want you to feel as though you’re waiting for the leftovers of my time.” Kai swallowed. “Then what do you want?” Adrian looked at him. “You.” The answer was immediate. Uncomplicated. And somehow, terrifying. “I want you in my life when things are easy,” Adrian said. “And when they aren’t. But I don’t want to force my way into your life, and I don’t want you to keep shutting me out because you think I’ll regret staying.” Kai looked down, his eyes burning. “I don’t know how to do this.” “Neither do I.” “You’re supposed to know everything.” “I’m beginning to find that reputation inconvenient.” A laugh escaped Kai before he could stop it. Adrian smiled faintly. Then he reached for Kai’s hand. “We’ll learn.” Kai stared at their joined hands. The problems had not disappeared. His father was still ill. The rent still needed to be paid. Adrian’s company was still facing a deadline that could damage everything he had built. But for the first time, Kai understood that being together did not mean they had to solve every problem at the same time. It meant they had to stop pretending the problems did not affect them. Kai looked up. “Call me tomorrow.” “I will.” “Even if you’re busy.” “I’ll call.” “And if you forget?” “I won’t.” Kai narrowed his eyes. “That sounded too confident.” “Then remind me.” “I’ll do more than remind you.” Adrian raised an eyebrow. “Should I be concerned?” “Very.” The smile that followed was tired, but real. Adrian lifted Kai’s hand and pressed a brief kiss against his knuckles. Kai’s breath caught. The gesture was gentle. Almost restrained. Yet it made his entire body go still. Adrian released him. “Good night, Kai.” Kai stared at him. Then he said softly, “Good night.” Adrian walked toward the door. This time, Kai followed him outside. He stood beneath the porch light as Adrian crossed toward his car. “Adrian.” Adrian turned. Kai hesitated. There were so many things he wanted to say. Be careful. Don’t work too hard. I’m scared. I want you to stay. In the end, he chose the simplest truth. “I’m glad you came.” Adrian’s expression softened. “So am I.” He got into the car, but he did not drive away immediately. Kai remained at the entrance until the vehicle disappeared down the street. Only then did he return inside. His phone vibrated before he reached his room. Adrian: I miss you already. Kai stopped walking. A smile slowly spread across his face. Kai: You left three minutes ago. Adrian: I’m aware. Kai: You’re clingy. Adrian: You asked me to call tomorrow. Kai: That doesn’t explain anything. Adrian: It explains enough. Kai leaned against the wall, smiling at his phone. Then he typed: Kai: I miss you too. He stared at the message before sending it. Once it was gone, there was no taking it back. Adrian replied almost immediately. Adrian: Good. Kai laughed softly. Kai: That’s all you have to say? Adrian: No. A second message appeared. Adrian: I’m glad you told me. Kai lowered his phone. The day had taken a great deal from them. But it had also given them something neither money nor success could guarantee. Honesty. And perhaps that was the first real choice they had made together.

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