Adrien made an attempt to take Emmeline’s hand after everyone had left. Emmeline moved away and hid both her hands behind her back.

Adrien asked with a grieving frown, “Emma, can you consider that I risked my life to take a bullet for you and risked my life to help you yesterday, and let me hold on to your hand?”

Emmeline shook her head and bit her lip.

“How could you be so cruel?”

Adrien grumbled, and he was almost in tears, “Please don’t add more pain to my heart given that I’ve been seriously injured. Can’t you just let me hold your hand?”

Emmeline thought about it. Adrien had been physically harmed; she should not have caused him emotional harm too. Emmeline pouted her mouth and said, “Just for a second.”

“Okay, just for a second,” Adrien nodded eagerly.

Emmeline held out one of her delicate hands. Adrien grabbed it. Before he could feel her warmth, her hand had already slipped from his palm like a fish.

Adrien’s joy quickly turned to bitterness.

“Emma, you’re heartless.”

“Emma, you have no idea how bad it hurts inside.”

“Emma…”

Adrien’s sadness turned into endless nagging.

Emmeline frowned and threatened, “If you keep nagging, I’m leaving. I came to see how you’re doing. How could you pull these tricks on me?”

Adrien quickly said, “Emma, don’t go. I’ll shut up; just don’t leave me.”

“Then shut up!”

Adrien covered his mouth with his hand.

Emmeline finally said, “I mean. Thank you for saving me that day, and thank you for helping me yesterday.”

Adrien was somewhat embarrassed, “It’s nothing. You and the kids are my family. Who else would I defend if not you?”

Emmeline was speechless. Her heart ached at Adrien’s words, but she did not refute him. She lowered her long eyelashes and sighed softly.

Is facing Adrien, acknowledging and accepting his existence something I have to do?

“Emma.”

Adrien once again made an attempt to take Emmeline’s hand. She did not evade this time. Adrien successfully held onto her cold fingertips.

Her hands slipped away as soon as Adrien applied pressure because they had been so well cared for in the Imperial Palace. Adrien leaned forward to try again, but Emmeline once again hid both of her hands behind her back.

Emmeline blushed and bit her lower lips. She looked like a shy village girl. She had no feelings for Adrien, but as parents of their children, they had a “very close” relationship. She found facing him to be incredibly uncomfortable and unnatural.

Adrien said softly, “Emma, I know you despise me, and I don’t blame you. I mean, you’re so perfect. I’ll change, Emma, I swear. I’ll stop all of my bad habits. I’ll make a good husband and father if you and the children can accept me. For the rest of my life, possibly even several lifetimes, I’ll protect and serve you and the kids.”

Emmeline still remained silent. She was not easily moved, but Adrien’s words were indeed sincere and sensible. Emmeline could not help but get a little emotional.

This man isn’t that bad when I think about it. In addition, the children are exceptional, indicating that their father’s genes are sound. Did I only see one side of Adrien?

Emmeline tilted her head. She looked at Adrien and thought about the whole situation from various angles.

A nurse entered the ward at that point to change Adrien’s medication.

Quentin, the attending physician, had also arrived. Quentin’s eyes lingered on Emmeline for a moment when he saw her. Then he asked Adrien, “Mr. Adrien, are you feeling better today?”