Chapter 8: A Heart in Turmoil
559 Words
Rina sat by Adam’s bedside, staring at his sleeping face. The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor filled the room, but her mind was anything but calm.
How could this be real? How could Ivory the cat she had loved and cared for be Adam Smith, the famous billionaire?
She still remembered the way he had shielded her, the way he had collapsed, his body shifting right in her arms. The moment was burned into her mind, something out of a fantasy. And yet, it had happened.
She clenched her hands on her lap. She had so many questions.
Why was he cursed? Who did this to him? And why was he able to turn back now?
More than that… why did it hurt so much to see him like this?
A soft groan pulled her from her thoughts. Adam stirred, his brows furrowing before his eyes slowly opened. His gaze landed on her, a flicker of emotions crossing his face—relief, hesitation, something else she couldn’t quite name.
"Rina…" His voice was hoarse.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. "How are you feeling?"
His lips quirked up slightly. "Like I got hit by a truck. Twice."
Despite everything, she almost laughed. But the weight of the situation was too much.
"You should rest," she said instead.
Adam exhaled and tried to sit up, only to wince in pain. She instinctively reached forward, helping him adjust, but when their hands brushed, she froze.
It was the same warmth, the same presence she had felt whenever she held Ivory close.
Her chest tightened.
Adam must have noticed her reaction because his expression turned serious. "Rina… what are you thinking?"
what
She bit her lip. "I just… I don’t know what to do with all of this, Adam."
He nodded slowly. "I understand."
"You were Ivory," she whispered. "All this time. You saw me at my most vulnerable. You were there for me when I needed someone the most. And now… now I find out you were never just a cat."
"I was still me," Adam said gently.
Her throat tightened. "That’s the problem. I trusted you. I loved—" She stopped abruptly, her breath catching.
Adam's eyes darkened slightly. "Loved?"
Rina quickly looked away, her heart pounding. "I-I mean, you were my cat. I—"
Silence stretched between them.
Then Adam let out a quiet chuckle. "I guess I really was lucky, huh?"
She frowned. "What?"
His eyes met hers, filled with an emotion that made her stomach twist.
"You cared for me, even when I was nothing but a cat." His voice was soft, almost reverent. "You let me in. And now, I finally get to be the one protecting you."
Rina’s breath hitched.
But before she could say anything, the door opened, and a nurse walked in.
"Mr. Smith, you need rest."
Adam sighed, offering Rina a small, tired smile. "Guess we’ll talk later?"
She hesitated but eventually nodded. "Yeah. Later."
But as she left the room, her heart was still in turmoil.
Because no matter how much she tried to deny it no matter how impossible it seemed
She had never felt more confused about her own feelings.
And worse…
She wasn’t sure if she could ever look at Adam without remembering the cat she had once held so close to her heart.
- Writer
