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Eva’s thoughts were in turmoil as Granny Blackwood’s words sank in. The way her grandmother had gently insisted that they leave, the way her tone had been so calm and detached—it left Eva feeling unsettled, almost as if there were something deeper behind her words. But Eva, always the one to care deeply, couldn’t ignore the worry gnawing at her.
“Granny, you don’t have to worry about us,” she had said, trying to ease the tension. But the subtle refusal to let them stay, to continue their vigil at the hospital, made her uneasy.
Adrian, who had been silent, seemed equally troubled, but his expression was unreadable. His grandmother’s insistence on them leaving had caught him off guard too. Yet, despite his concern, he hadn’t argued. Instead, he had calmly guided Eva away from the room, his hand firm on her arm.
“Eva, let’s go,” he had said, his voice soft yet resolute.
As they made their way down the corridor, Eva’s mind raced. There was so much she didn’t understand. Granny Blackwood’s behavior had been odd—distant, almost as if she was trying to protect them from something. It had taken all of Eva’s willpower not to protest, not to argue that she wanted to stay by her grandmother’s side.
But there was a coldness in Adrian’s demeanor that made it clear there was something he wasn’t saying. She glanced at him, noting the furrowed brow, the tight set of his jaw. Whatever Granny Blackwood had said, it had affected him deeply.
“Adrian,” Eva said softly, trying to catch his eye as they walked. “Do you think something’s wrong with Grandma?”
He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he led her through the quiet hospital halls, his silence hanging heavy between them. Finally, he spoke, his voice low.
“We’ll talk about it when we’re home,” he said, his tone closing the conversation for now.
But Eva couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. She had never seen Granny Blackwood like that—detached, almost distant, as if she were hiding something.
When they reached the car, Adrian opened the door for her with a rare gentleness. Eva slid into the seat, her mind still racing with questions. Adrian followed her in and started the engine, his expression unreadable as he drove through the night.
Eva leaned back in the seat, her thoughts still on the conversation that had just taken place. Granny Blackwood had made it clear that she didn’t want them to stay any longer, yet she hadn’t explained why. And then there was the mention of the surgery not being “important”—Eva couldn’t understand how that could be true. The doctors had been optimistic about the procedure, and Eva had been hanging onto that hope.
“Do you think Granny’s hiding something from us?” she asked quietly, breaking the silence.
Adrian didn’t answer at first, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. His thoughts seemed to be as clouded as hers, but he wasn’t about to show his uncertainty. Finally, he spoke, his voice filled with the weight of someone holding back something important.
“Granny’s been through a lot, Eva,” he said. “She’s not as strong as she used to be, and she’s trying to protect us. But I don’t think she’s hiding anything. She’s just… stubborn, you know?”
Eva didn’t respond immediately. She had always admired Adrian’s calm and reasoned nature, but now, she could sense that there was more to the story. She wanted to believe him, but her gut told her otherwise.
When they arrived home, the night still hung heavy between them. Adrian seemed to have withdrawn further into himself, and Eva didn’t want to press him too much. She needed to figure this out, but right now, all she could do was wait.
As she lay in bed later, the cool sheets against her skin, Eva stared at the ceiling, her thoughts swirling. Granny Blackwood had seemed so distant. There had been a reason for it—Eva was sure of it. But what could it be?
Adrian’s quiet, careful nature suggested he knew something but wasn’t ready to share it. It frustrated her. They had always been close, but tonight, she felt the distance growing between them. The weight of his silence pressed on her chest, and she couldn’t help but wonder if he was trying to shield her from something.
And the more she thought about it, the more Eva realized that whatever it was, she wasn’t going to be able to rest until she uncovered the truth.
