The Billionaire's Insignificant Wife novel Chapter 183

Adrian arrived on the fourth floor at exactly quarter past eleven.

He walked toward the nurse station, nodding at Ms. Fontaine who was already waiting there with a serious expression.

"Has the supervision been tightened?" Adrian asked directly.

"Yes," Ms. Fontaine answered. "The head nurse has been informed. All visitors must check in at the nurse station first before entering. No exceptions."

"Good." Adrian glanced toward room 412. "How is Alina's condition? Has she had breakfast?"

"A little. Morning sickness is still severe. But her condition is stable." Ms. Fontaine hesitated for a moment. "Mr. Lawson, there's something you need to know. Today Mrs. Blackwood seems different. Calmer. Not empty like usual. She's like someone who is thinking about something seriously."

Adrian nodded slowly, absorbing that information.

He knocked on room 412's door and entered.

Alina sat on the bed with her back resting on the pillow. This time she wasn't staring at an empty window like yesterday. Her eyes immediately moved toward the door as soon as Adrian entered.

"Morning," Adrian said, pulling up a chair and sitting at a reasonable distance.

"Morning," Alina replied. Her voice was still weak but there was something different in it. More solid.

Adrian observed her for a moment. "You look better than yesterday."

"I still vomited earlier," Alina said flatly.

"But your condition looks like it's improving."

Alina didn't immediately answer. Her hands pulled the blanket onto her lap, her fingers stroking the edge of the fabric repeatedly.

"I want to talk," Alina said finally.

Adrian didn't move. Not wanting to make her feel pressured. "I'm listening."

"Not right now." Alina looked at Adrian. "I mean, I've decided that I need to speak. But I need time to put everything together. There are things that..." She stopped, swallowing. "That are difficult to say."

"That's alright." Adrian leaned slightly forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "You don't have to say everything today. But I'm glad you've made the decision."

Alina gave a small nod.

A silence lighter than usual filled the room.

"I heard Daniel came last night," Adrian said, confirming it in a flat tone. "Did he do anything?"

Alina was silent for a moment. Not immediately answering. "Ms. Fontaine told you?"

"Yes."

Alina stared at her hands. "He didn't do anything dangerous. He just slept." Those words sounded strange even to Alina's own ears. Just slept. As if it were normal. As if a husband sneaking into a hospital room in the middle of the night was an ordinary thing.

Adrian hardened his jaw. He wanted to hear what Alina wasn't saying. But he didn't push.

"Starting today no one will be able to enter without the approval of Ms. Fontaine or Dr. Halvorsen," he said. "Including Daniel."

Alina glanced at him. "He's my husband legally. They can't stop him completely."

"They can limit it. And I'll make sure of that." Adrian looked at her directly. "Do you have any objection to that?"

"No," Alina answered quickly. She did want to create distance from Daniel. "I'm just worried it will bring problems for all of you."

"Don't think about that," Adrian said. "What matters is that you're safe here, Alina. I won't let anyone come in and make you uncomfortable again."

Alina wanted to believe that.

Part of her had started to believe it.

But before she could answer, a sound from the corridor broke the silence.

A very familiar sound of footsteps was heard. Fast. Heavy. Full of urgency that needed no announcement.

Alina immediately tensed. Recognizing those footsteps. Her hands gripped the blanket.

The door opened.

Daniel stood in the doorway with his jacket still unbuttoned and his tie slightly crooked—signs he had been in a hurry. His eyes immediately found Adrian sitting beside Alina's bed.

The room temperature dropped several degrees.

That moment hung.

Then, slowly, Daniel took a breath and shifted his gaze. He walked to the side of the bed opposite where Adrian stood, pulled up a chair, and sat—as if he had every right in the world to do so.

"Alright," he said in a tone that returned to flat. "We won't discuss that."

He glanced at the breakfast tray that had only been half eaten. "You need to eat more."

Alina didn't respond.

Adrian remained standing in his position, considering whether he should leave or stay. Leaving Alina alone with Daniel right now was not a safe option.

But he also knew that a direct confrontation in a hospital room was not the right strategy.

"I'll speak briefly with Ms. Fontaine," Adrian said finally, his eyes momentarily meeting Alina's—a silent question that Alina answered with an almost imperceptible nod.

Adrian walked to the door.

He stopped right at the doorway, his back to Daniel, and said in a tone loud enough for both to hear.

"I'll be back in ten minutes."

The message was clear.

I'm not going far.

You are not alone.

Then he left.

The door hadn't fully closed when Daniel spoke.

"How long has it been going on?" he asked quietly, his eyes fixed on the wall in front of him.

Alina furrowed her brow. "What?"

"Between you and Adrian Lawson." Daniel finally turned to look at her. In his eyes was an emotion Alina had never seen before—not the usual cold anger, but something more raw. More wounded. "How long?"