Chapter 353

Anna Ross looked up and met his deep gaze.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She quickly averted her eyes.

The small space he created suddenly felt oppressive.

Anna instinctively moved backward.

Her back pressed against the cold wall.

Adrian Sinclair's crisp scent enveloped her completely.

She kept her eyes down, not daring to move.

The elevator only went to the third floor.

Yet the ride felt unbearably long and suffocating.

His warm breath was so close.

Anna's cheeks and ears burned with heat.

What flustered her more was his intense gaze fixed on the top of her head.

It felt as if he was about to set her entire being on fire.

Ding—

The elevator doors finally opened.

Anna felt like she had been granted a reprieve and stepped forward.

A hurried passerby suddenly rushed out from the side.

She nearly stumbled.

Adrian frowned and quickly reached out to steady her.

But she didn't seem to notice.

Adrian silently withdrew his hand.

He waited for the crowd to disperse before walking out slowly.

Anna had already rushed toward the hospital room.

She pushed the door open and saw her mother's pale face.

She hurried to the bedside.

Vivian Lowell looked up at the sound.

Seeing her daughter, she was momentarily stunned.

She tried to sit up, supporting herself.

Anna quickly pressed her mother down.

She whispered softly, "Don't get up. Just lie down and rest."

Vivian's gaze shifted.

She looked toward Adrian, who had followed them in.

Her eyes no longer held the resistance they once had.

Since Howard Lowell's words last time, many of her inner conflicts had resolved.

"Adrian, you're here," she greeted him主动.

Adrian nodded slightly.

He quietly took a seat nearby.

Anna kept her head down the entire time.

It was as if he didn't exist at all.

Her eyes reddened as she looked at her mother's weary appearance.

Her voice was choked with emotion. "Mom, how did you get so sick? What exactly happened?"

Had she been too focused on work and neglected her mother's health?

Guilt and sadness washed over her.

It almost overwhelmed her.

Vivian smiled gently. "It's just a hypertension-induced fainting spell. It's nothing serious. Don't worry."

She raised her hand that wasn't receiving IV fluids.

She gently stroked her daughter's cheek.

Anna leaned into her mother's palm affectionately.

After the accident occurred in the family, she hadn't felt such warmth in a long time.

Those carefree days felt like a lifetime ago.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I didn't take good care of you. I didn't even know you were sick," she said, her voice hoarse.

Her eyes grew hot.

Her only wish now was to repay the debts as soon as possible.

To take her mother far away from all this.

To stay together forever.

Just as Vivian was about to speak, Adrian suddenly stood up and left.

She watched the closed door thoughtfully.

The room fell quiet.

Vivian asked softly, "Anna, are you two together?"

Anna was stunned.

She shook her head vigorously. "No, Mom. He and Miss Valentine are about to get engaged. They…"

The words "they've already been intimate" stuck in her throat.

It hurt too much to say.