Chapter 38

Adrian could still tell the difference between sleep and a coma. He shut the door gently behind him, then turned to Celeste. "How much longer?" She glanced at her phone. "15 minutes." Without another word, Adrian walked to the end of the corridor and sat down in silence. But before the quiet could settle in, Alaric's attending physician appeared. "Mr. Wrenford. You're here too," the doctor said, nodding politely at Adrian. Adrian returned the nod with a calm, deep-toned "Yes." On the other side of the hallway, Damien tugged Lucy to sit beside him. His posture made it clear—he was waiting to watch a scene unfold. The doctor moved toward the ward, but before he could open the door, Celeste stepped in front of him. "You can't go in yet." The doctor frowned. "Miss, I'm Mr. Wrenford Senior's attending physician. I need to examine him. Please don't obstruct my work." "He's resting. Come back in 15 minutes," she replied evenly. Celeste knew this was delicate. She'd practiced traditio