Three months. How much can change during those days? Was Milo doing okay? Where was he? Was he out getting drunk and wasting his youth? Oh my goodness, what about the art gallery that she had invested? five entire years into? What was going to happen to it?

  Isabelle, how was she fairing? Estella, who was paying her cheques? Did the world move on whilst Lina was asleep, or was everyone affected by her?

  There was no remedy to this situation. Lina knew she could only take everything one step at a time.

  "O-okay…" Lina tried to process his words. She tried to silence her neverending questions. There was no release from the shackles of her thoughts.

  "One day at a time," Kaden instructed her. "We'll start slow. Don't head dive into everything."

  "But Milo, the art gallery, Isabelle, and Estella, and—"

  "One day at a time." Kaden knew it was going to be hard; this was the longest she had been out for. If it wasn't for what he had done to her, perhaps she wouldn't have woken up at all. He didn't want to think about the consequences.

  "You're right," Lina relented with a nod of her head.

  Lina was stubborn, but not stupid. She decided to plan things out. She'd first check in on her family which consisted of Milo, Isabelle, and Estella. Then, Lina would focus on fixing the problems with her art gallery, such as her absence, partners, clients, and so forth. Next, she would—


  "Ow!" Lina cried, grabbing her forehead.

  Lina glared accusingly up at Kaden who threw her a pointed look. He had just flicked her! Hard. She rubbed the burning spot, shoving his aiding hand away.

  "What did I tell you?" Kaden shook his head in disbelief. He was serious. She needed to take it slowly or else her emotions would be overwhelming. He knew her best.

  "I didn't even say it out loud."

  "I can read your thoughts."

  "You're lying," Lina gaped.

  "I am."

  Lina forced a mocking laugh and quickly glanced away. For a split second, she thought it came with his Pure-Blood abilities. Even to this day, there wasn't much research done on the original breed of vampires, the one that everyone hailed from. Not to mention, the presence of other supernatural creatures like werewolves. In fact, sometimes Lina did research on the werewolves, including the most prominent household. When Lina studied history, it spoke of an unlikely couple—a young lady with a stammer and a fearsome Duke.

  "Now, let's get you dressed. This hospital bed is far too uncomfortable for you, dove."

  Kaden got up from the bed and grabbed his coat. He returned to Lina and helped her into it. She wordlessly obliged, but with scrunched brows.

  "Are we going to take a walk outside?" Lina fingered the soft yet stiff material of his black winter coat. She ran her palms over the wool she had never seen before, but was oddly silky and smooth to the touch. She wondered what material this was.

  "No, you're getting discharged."

  "What?!" Lina gasped. "But I haven't even seen a doctor. Are you sure I'm in the right condition? I was literally shot in the chest."

  "You're fine."

  "But how do you know?" Lina genuinely asked, tilting her head. He was so certain of her health, which was nothing like his usual self.

  Usually, Kaden would force her to go through many hospital tests. Every scan possible, every required check-up, he would be there to monitor the probing and questions. But this time, he was going to just let her waltz out of the hospital in a gown and coat?

  "Are you really Kaden?" Lina mumbled. She stood on her tippy toes and grabbed his cheeks with her thumb and forefinger.

  "You—"

  "You feel like him, minus the five o'clock shadow," Lina said to herself, pulling at his face. He responded by gripping her wrists, forcing them in place.

  Kaden narrowed his eyes dangerously. Fire sparked within the first touch. He felt his groin tighten and all she did was childishly tug at his skin.

  "I'm fine," Kaden hoarsely said to her.

  "But you're usually so concerned."

  "I am."

  "Not like this," Lina corrected herself. "You're usually more… hm, how should I put it?"

  "We'll talk about this in the car," Kaden informed. He pulled her to his side and the two began heading to the exit.

  The entire time, Sebastian wore his usual disinterested expression. When his Boss passed by him, Sebastian uncrossed his legs and stood to his full height. He could feel Lina's bewilderment from miles away. He didn't blame her. Everyone was just as perplexed by Kaden.

  The Boss wasn't acting like his usual self. Sebastian wondered if it had something to do with the doctors' questions. So far, Kaden allowed no one to take a sample of Lina's blood. He wouldn't even let them touch or examine her. By now, Kaden was the worst guardian that this hospital had ever seen.

  "Oh, a group of doctors are headed our way," Lina commented. They were gathered and organized, with a man leading the party.

  "Chairman DeHaven!" one of them exasperated.

  Another took a careful glance at the obvious patient. She was dressed in an oversized coat that reached beyond her knees. The clothing was childsplay and reminded people of a kid playing dress-up with grown-up clothes.

  "I-is this the patient who was just in a coma? How is she walking so perfectly?" A doctor observed. "How miraculous."

  "Very true," Lina agreed. She gazed down at her legs and wriggled them.

  Lina had woken up from a coma before. She recalled her limbs feeling like jello and her muscles giving up on her. She needed a few days of physical therapy to get back on her feet. But after a three month coma, Lina was able to walk and move freely, as if she was never lying in that bed.

  "What a speedy, yet remarkable recovery… But we should still run a few tests on your wife, Chairman DeHaven. Just to ensure there are no abnormalities —" he cut himself off.

  Standing besides the patient was a frightening man. There was no light in his eyes—only desolating despair. Glimpsing at his face was good as looking death straight on. The air around them turned wispy and icy, his presence shrouding the hallways in darkness.

  Kaden was what nightmares were composed of. Angering him was seeking the worst torture to man.

  "R-right… Well, if you ever wish to come back for a full check up, dear patient, you're always welcome to do so."

  "Uhm." Lina gazed around her surroundings. She didn't want to publicly disagree with Kaden, but then again, she realized how strange everything was. They were right. How did she manage to heal at this astounding speed?

  "We're just taking a walk in the gardens," Lina decided.

  Kaden didn't say anything to them. No one knew his decision, except for her and Sebastian. If possible, the air around them thickened, turning into an unbearable suffering.

  Lina's throat clenched just as Kaden's gaze narrowed down at her. His expression was thunderous, resembling a man holding a woman over a cliff, no remorse in his actions.

  "We're going where?" Kaden seethed.

  "To the gardens, you know I love flowers and sunlight," Lina responded like it was no big deal. She wanted to come back. She needed to know what he was hiding from her and knowing his nature, she knew he wouldn't tell her until it was far too late.

  "Lina—"

  "Please come back in an hour, doctors, I'd appreciate it." Flashing them a charming smile, Lina pulled Kaden past them. She was surprised by her own strength. Just exactly what was going on?

  "We don't need the hour," Kaden suddenly gritted out. He forcibly halted her with a rough tug of his hand. "If my wife wants to be examined, she can do so now, and then we can go straight home."

  Lina's head snapped up to him. No secrets then? No deception? Was he going to tell her the truth just as it was? The questions seeped from her shocked expression. She knew that he saw it. His expression turned sour, his eyes sharpening into slits. A displeasured frown darkened his face.

  "Oh, right away then. I'll inform the Chiefs of our respective departments and they should be here within ten minutes if they're not busy," the head of the group responded.

  So this was it. In ten minutes, Kaden could tell Lina what was going on, or he could let her find out on her own…… She hoped it was the former and not the latter.