Chapter 298: Too Good at Kissing
「An hour later.」
Adrian Lancaster parked the car downstairs at the hospital. After calling Wren Sutton, he waited patiently for her.
Isla Griffith was still fast asleep. Wren Sutton hung up the phone, got up, and quietly made her way out of the hospital room, taking the elevator downstairs.
As she stepped out of the hospital building, the evening breeze blew against her face. Wren immediately spotted the figure standing by the black sedan.
Adrian Lancaster had a tall, straight posture. The well-tailored dark suit accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist.
The usual coldness in his eyes had faded, replaced by a tender affection. Every move he made exuded elegance and composure.
The moment he saw her emerge, a smile lit up his eyes. He strode forward to meet her, and before she could speak, he swept her into his arms.
Wren Sutton froze, momentarily forgetting how to react.
Adrian Lancaster lowered his head, nuzzling his chin against the crook of her neck. A tide of longing, thick with devotion, surged from his heart.
"Honey, it’s only been a few hours, but I’ve missed you so much."
"If Isla Griffith weren’t your best friend, I never would have agreed to let you spend the night at the hospital."
He raised a hand to caress Wren Sutton’s cheek, his fingertips warm.
"Are you tired? It’s windy out tonight. Let’s get in the car first. I’ve brought everything you need."
People were coming and going downstairs at the hospital, and their intimate display drew quite a few glances.
Wren Sutton cleared her throat and gave Adrian Lancaster’s chest a gentle push.
"How am I supposed to get in the car if you don’t let go?"
Adrian Lancaster let out a low chuckle and released her. He then turned and, like a gentleman, opened the rear passenger door for Wren.
They sat together in the back seat. The car was filled with plenty of warm air, enveloping them completely.
In addition to dinner, a late-night snack, and other treats for Wren, Adrian had also brought a huge, bulging storage bag.
"What’s in here?"
Wren curiously opened the bag. When she saw what was inside, she was stunned.
A change of clothes, a thin wool blanket, a neck pillow, a full toiletry kit, skincare products, slippers, a bath towel, a power bank, wet wipes—he had even packed a variety of small emergency items.
"...You brought all this? Anyone who didn’t know better would think I was going on a long trip."
Adrian explained matter-of-factly, "You’re not used to using things from outside. These are all necessities. Nothing is extra."
"If you think of anything else you need, just let me know, and I’ll bring it over immediately."
"There are two insulated containers here, both with the same things inside: shrimp dumplings, bird’s nest soup, black chicken soup with red dates, and a vegetable salad. One for you and one for Isla."
"You eat first. After you’re done, you can go up and help your friend eat."
As Adrian spoke, he took out the utensils. Wren reached out and put her hand over his, her eyes filled with sincere gratitude. A warmth spread through her heart.
"Adrian, thank you for doing so much for me. I’m not hungry right now. I’ll eat with Isla later when I go back up."
Adrian didn’t insist. He put the utensils back. "Okay, whatever you say."
"This stuff is heavy. I’ll help you carry it up to the door of her room in a bit."
It wasn’t actually that heavy, but Wren didn’t want to spoil Adrian’s mood, so she graciously accepted his kind offer.
Then, she asked about their two children, who were constantly on her mind.
"How were Owen and Nina today? Were they good? Did they throw any tantrums?"
Adrian looked at her with gentle eyes. "The little ones were very good. They had their formula, played for a bit, and then fell asleep. You don’t need to worry."
Wren smiled, relieved. "That’s good."
"I might have to stay at the hospital for a few days. I’m sorry to trouble you with things at home. If it gets to be too much, I can call my mom and ask her to go over and help you."
A sweet warmth flooded Adrian’s heart. No matter how busy or tired he was, he felt it was all worth it.
"Don’t worry, I can handle it. We have staff for the cooking and cleaning. I’m mainly responsible for taking care of the kids. After practicing for a while, I’ve gotten the hang of it. I’m ready to be a full-time dad."
He wasn’t just bragging; it was the truth.
Adrian Lancaster had indeed become a capable and excellent full-time father.
Wren had seen everything he did for the children. She felt completely at ease leaving Owen and Nina in his care.
The two of them continued to talk about the children for a while.
Before long, Wren raised her wrist to check the time.
"I can’t stay out too long. Isla could wake up at any moment. I have to go back up."
With that, she reached for the door handle, ready to get out.
Just then, Adrian moved faster, pulling her into his embrace.
The car fell silent in an instant.
Wren could feel the heavy, scorching beat of his heart thudding violently in his chest, right through their clothes.
"Adrian, you..."
"Just let me hold you a little longer. Just for a moment." Adrian tightened his arms, holding her so tightly it was as if he wanted to merge her into his very being.
He greedily buried his face in her hair. His senses were filled with her light, gentle scent, completely masking the smell of hospital disinfectant.
These few hours of separation had felt like an eternity to him, every minute and second an agony.
’He really wanted to take her home, to never be apart from her.’
Wren didn’t struggle. She rested quietly in Adrian’s arms.
Mentally and physically exhausted, she found herself craving this warm embrace, which could soothe the sorrow in her heart.
"I’m the one who should be thanking you," Adrian said, his voice low, deep, and tender.
"..." Wren didn’t understand what he meant, but she listened patiently.
"Thank you for being willing to marry me. And thank you even more for risking your life to give me Owen and Nina."
"Honey, you’re so incredible. You went through a difficult ten-month pregnancy to bring two healthy children into this world, making me a father and giving me a complete, happy little family."
"Compared to everything you’ve done for me, the little I did today is completely trivial, not even worth mentioning."
It was only today that Adrian Lancaster truly realized how difficult pregnancy was for a woman. Besides the physical changes and having to adapt to all sorts of discomfort, there was also the constant risk of miscarriage.
Not to mention the anxiety, panic, pain, and helplessness of childbirth...
And when Wren was pregnant and gave birth, he wasn’t by her side. He hadn’t been there to take care of her for even a single day.
She had endured those crucial moments all by herself.
Adrian was dying from heartache and guilt.
Wren was very calm. She said frankly, "I didn’t choose to have Owen and Nina entirely for you. I was also planning for my own future."
"I understand." Adrian nodded, his voice trembling slightly. If you didn’t listen closely, you wouldn’t have noticed he was choking up.
"Every time I see our two little ones, looking like you and like me, so healthy and adorable, I feel like I used up all the good luck of my entire life in the moment I met you. You’re the one who gave me happiness."
"Thank you, honey. I love you."
The car was filled with a gentle warmth, and the atmosphere was overwhelmingly tender.
Adrian slowly loosened his embrace, the pads of his fingers gently stroking Wren’s back as he gazed at her face with deep affection.
The faint glow of a streetlight filtered through the window, falling upon her gentle features. His heart began to race, and the emotions he had long suppressed surged wildly within him.
He lowered his head, his gaze unconsciously landing on Wren’s soft lips. His Adam’s apple bobbed, betraying an unconcealable desire.
’He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to so badly. He wanted to seal all his affection, gratitude, and reluctance to part in a single, tender kiss.’
But just as his fingertips touched her cheek, he forced himself to stop. The lust swirling in his eyes was slowly suppressed by restraint and self-control.
’He was afraid of frightening Wren, and even more afraid that she would reject him.’
In the end, Adrian tilted his head and carefully placed a kiss on Wren’s forehead.
"Cover up well when you sleep tonight so you don’t catch a cold. If anything happens, no matter what time it is, call me right away. Don’t try to handle it all by yourself."
Wren lowered her gaze, her heart beating a little faster. "Mm, I know."
Adrian hugged her again. "I still can’t bear to let you go."
Wren’s fingers curled, resting gently on Adrian’s shoulder. "Even if you can’t bear it, you have to. The situation is special. I have to stay at the hospital with Isla."
Adrian took a deep breath and reluctantly let go. "Let’s go. I’ll walk you up."
They got out of the car and walked into the elevator together.
There was no one else in the elevator.
The metal doors slid slowly shut, closing off the light from the first-floor hallway.
In the small space, only the sound of their breathing remained.
The floor numbers changed silently, the light soft yet oppressive.
Each jump of the number was like a countdown, seemingly urging on the emotions Adrian had suppressed for so long.
Just as the elevator was about to reach their floor, the last shred of reason in Adrian’s eyes burned away.
He could no longer maintain his gentlemanly facade. All his restraint and self-control vanished in an instant.
He dropped the things in his hands, and with one long arm, he pulled Wren completely into his embrace, his hand clamped tightly around her waist.
His grip held a possessiveness that was almost predatory.
The look in his eyes was no longer the tenderness and restraint from the car, but one that burned with intense, scorching desire.
Startled by his sudden move, Wren let out a gasp. "Adri—"
Before she could say his full name, Adrian lowered his head and captured her lips.
The kiss was domineering and fervent, impossible to refuse. It was intense and unrestrained, crashing down on her like a wave.
Adrian’s breathing was hot and ragged against Wren’s face. His low gasps in the enclosed elevator were enough to make one’s face flush and heart race.
He was an incredible kisser, and Wren Sutton had to admit she was starting to feel it.