Chapter 257: Tears of Joy and Relief

While Gertrude ended up gaping at the remark, shell-shocked, Adrian just continued glaring daggers at her, dangerously provoked.

Despite the ferocious surge of rage and all these rampaging emotions that almost drove him insane, he found himself putting those matters aside as soon as he saw his wife - safe and awake. It's a huge relief that he arrived on time, though it didn't change the fact that she almost got strangled to her last breath.

Cassidy seems to have already calmed down a bit - or more like, she has no choice but to do so since she can't afford to lose any more strength and energy by being ruled over by her agitation. 

"Cassidy...!" Adrian called out, making haste and rushing to Cassidy's bed, relieved and overjoyed. 

"Are you alright, Cassidy? Does it hurt anywhere? Tell me if it does. I'll call the doctor immediately."

At that point, he can no longer hold back the overflowing gush of emotions that he's been bottling up ever since the night he nearly lost her. His dam broke, and tears began to stream down his face as he held her hand.

She was nonplussed to see him crying as soon as they saw each other again. He's making quite a wretched expression, looking so emotionally stirred by the previous chain of happenings that he somewhat turned sensitive and fragile.

"I'm glad that you're awake now," Adrian started, voice brittle, while squeezing Cassidy's hand and caressing the side of her face.

From there, he goes on to have a full breakdown, reveling in the warmth and softness of her skin. He brushes his thumb against her cheek before tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Already sobbing, he then raises her hand to his lips and kisses it - the contact firm and desperate, so full of needs.

He looks as if he's holding on for dear life at that very moment. 

"Really... I'm really, really glad... Thank goodness..." he breathed out shakily, almost shuddering, his brows furrowed tightly.

"Thank you for waking up."

For a while, Cassiy remains silent, trying to find the right words to say. She doesn't know where to begin. Adrian's genuine display of happiness has caught her off guard too much. 

"A-Adrian," she tried to say, but her throat ended up hurting after remaining dry for too long.

"Wait here. I'll get some water for you," he told her hastily before turning around to get a glass of water.

Adrian looks so frantic right now - a sight that Cassidy is still not used to see.

He has always been the definition of cool and collected, after all. Even when he has his occassional outbursts, that is the image that everyone is used to see in him. 

"Let's have you sit up a little."

He goes on to help her get a proper position to drink the water without spilling it. She swallows it down slowly while he silently waits and watches.

"T-Thank you..." Cassidy mumbled breathily after that, though she still looked and sounded very enervated.

"What happened? Are you okay?"

First time waking up from an explosion, and even getting strangled as soon as she opened her eyes again - yet, she still found the heart to ask about her husband's well-being. 

While Cassidy continues to stare at him with concern, he tries to pull himself together again. Adrian can't let his wife worry so much when she needs to worry more about herself.

That said, he has to stop getting too overwhelmed by his feelings.

"Everything is fine. It's all fine now..." he reassured her as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close to his chest.

"Please, don't worry. I have everything handled."

"Why are you crying?" she asked weakly while she buried her face in the fabric of his shirt, taking solace in his warmth and scent. 

"I was so worried about you. I couldn't help but melt down after seeing you finally awake. I thought I would lose you for real this time."

These sincere words and affectionate gesture of his are making her feel like crying herself. As he continues to hold her protectively, she can feel an indescribable amount of love and gratitude swelling up within her.

"I love you, Cassidy..." he spoke in her hair as he pulled her closer to him. 

"I love you, and I promise I will not let any harm befall you again. I'll try my best to. I'm going to protect you properly, and I'll make you happy."

He then kisses the side of her head, taking in her fragrance and nuzzling his nose in her hair. From that point on, his heas is only filled with thoughts of how exactly he will treat her better starting from this point on.

He thinks of never letting anyone hurt Cassidy again, including his own self. No matter what happens, Adrian will take care of her and ensure her safety all the time.

Even if it costs him all that he has and even his life, he'll do whatever he has to do just to protect her and make her happy. 

"I love you too, Adrian. Thank you for coming for me..." Cassidy eventually replied with a small, shaky smile, already starting to tear up. 

"You don't have to shoulder it all, though. Just as you want to protect me, I want to protect you too. So, don't do everything by yourself. You can always share your burdens with me."

"You're too good for me, Cassidy, and it's because of that kindness that you keep on..." Adrian said then trailed off, briefly averting his gaze before regarding her worriedly.

"I'm afraid I can't promise to let you in on everything all the time. If I ever do that, it is to protect you. I want you safe and happy more than anything else."

She can't help but smile at that, touched to be reminded once more that he cares so much about her. As she stares deep into his tear-stricken eyes, she can see how important she is to him - how essential she is to his survival at this point. 

And Cassidy can't possibly ask for anything more - not when Adrian is more than willing to give her the whole world.