Chapter 9 9. Pull or Push

Kelly's view """"

I stepped into the hospital room, trying to maintain a professional demeanor despite the turmoil brewing inside me. It had been a week since I'd last spoken to him, and I'd been avoiding him ever since. But as his doctor, I couldn't put off checking on his progress any longer.

Adrian's eyes met mine, and I felt a jolt of electricity. I pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. "Good morning, Mr. Roman," I said, my voice detached. "How are you feeling today?"

He watched me, his gaze piercing. I could sense the questions behind his eyes, but I wasn't ready to answer them. Not yet.

I checked his charts, reviewed his medication, and assessed his condition. It was all routine, but the tension between us was palpable.

As I finished up, Adrian spoke up, his voice low and husky. "Dr. Kelly, can we talk?"

My heart skipped a beat. I wasn't sure I was ready for this conversation. But I nodded, steeling myself for what was to come. "Of course, Mr. Roman. What is it?"

I stood frozen, my eyes locked on Adrian's, as his words cut deep. Why did I pretend not to know him? The truth was, I was scared. Scared of the emotions that still lingered, scared of being hurt again, and scared of confronting the lies he'd told.

My mind racing, I tried to maintain a calm exterior. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said, my voice steady, but my heart betraying me with its rapid beats.

Adrian's gaze never wavered, his eyes burning with an intensity that made my skin prickle. "Don't lie to me, Kelly," he said, his voice low and husky. "I know you remember. I know you feel it too."

The air between us crackled with tension, and I felt my resolve weakening. How much longer could I keep up this charade? And what would happen when the truth finally came to light?

You have been on my mind Kelly, I have been searching for you."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as Adrian's words echoed in my mind. You have been on my mind. The phrase sent a flutter through my chest, and I couldn't help but wonder what he meant by it.

Had he truly been thinking about me, or was this just another manipulation? I searched his eyes, trying to read between the lines, but his expression was inscrutable.

I took a step back, my mind racing with questions. "What do you want from me, Adrian?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Adrian's gaze never left mine, his eyes burning with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. "I want to find out what happened between us," he said, his voice low and husky. "I want to know why you disappeared from my life."

The words hung in the air, and I felt like I was standing on the edge of a precipice, staring into the unknown. What would I say? Would I reveal the truth, or would I continue to hide behind my mask?

I turned away, trying to compose myself. "I need to check your vitals, Mr. Roman," I said, my voice professional, detached.

I busied myself with the task, avoiding eye contact. I couldn't let him get under my skin, not now. Not when I was still trying to figure out my own feelings.

As I worked, Adrian watched me, his gaze piercing. I could sense his curiosity, his desire to know more about me, about us. But I refused to give him any openings.

Once I'd finished checking his vitals, I stepped back, my expression neutral. "Everything looks good, Mr. Roman. I'll make sure to update your chart."

I turned to leave, but Adrian's voice stopped me. "Kelly?"

I hesitated, my heart racing. What did he want now?

I stood frozen, my hand on the door handle, as Adrian's gaze followed me. Why was my heart still beating for this man who had lied to me, cheated on my trust? It didn't make sense.

I thought about all the times we'd shared, all the laughter, the tears, the moments of intimacy. But it was all built on lies. He'd lied about his name, his identity, everything.

And yet, despite knowing all this, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I still cared for him. It was like my heart was at war with my mind, and I didn't know which side would win.

I pushed aside the thoughts and focused on getting out of the room. "I'll send in the nurse to take care of you, Mr. Roman," I said, my voice firm.

As I walked out, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Distance was what I needed. Distance from him, from the emotions he stirred up in me. But as I closed the door behind me, I couldn't help but wonder if distance would be enough.

The revelation hit me like a ton of bricks. His family was one of the wealthiest in New York, and he'd been ashamed to introduce me to them? The thought stung, and I felt a wave of hurt and anger wash over me.

It all made sense now - his secrecy, his lies, his manipulation. He'd been hiding me from his world, from the world he deemed suitable for someone of his stature.

I thought about all the times he'd made me feel like I was the only one for him, like I was enough. But it was all a facade. He'd been playing me the whole time, using me for his own gratification.

The realization was bitter, and I felt a sense of regret for letting him get so close to me. I vowed to myself that I wouldn't let him play me again, that I wouldn't let his wealth and status intimidate me.

But deep down, the wound ran deep. I'd been fooled by him, and it would take time to heal.

I stood outside Adrian's hospital room, reviewing his chart one last time. Three weeks had passed since he'd been admitted, and he was finally ready to be discharged.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the encounter. I'd been avoiding him as much as possible, but I knew I had to face him one last time.

As I entered the room, Adrian looked up, his eyes locking onto mine. "Dr. Kelly," he said, his voice low and smooth.

I nodded, trying to maintain a professional demeanor. "Mr. Roman, you're ready to be discharged. I'll go over your discharge instructions with you."

Adrian nodded, his gaze never leaving mine. I could sense a hint of tension between us, but I pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

As I explained his medication regimen and follow-up appointments, Adrian listened intently. But I could feel his eyes on me, searching for something more.

When I finished, Adrian stood up, his movements fluid. "Thank you, Dr. Kelly," he said, his voice polite.

But as he looked at me, I saw a glimmer of something else in his eyes - a spark of familiarity, of intimacy. And for a moment, I felt like I was back in the past, lost in the emotions we'd shared.

I watched as Adrian prepared to leave the hospital, his movements efficient and calculated. The whispers about his personality were true - he'd always been cold and calculating, using people to get what he wanted.

But when we were together, I'd seen a different side of him. A side that was passionate, intense, and all-consuming. Or so I'd thought.

Now, I realized that it was all an act. A carefully crafted facade designed to manipulate me into falling for him. The man I thought I knew didn't exist. The man standing before me was a stranger, a master manipulator who'd used me for his own purposes.

As I handed him his discharge papers, our fingers touched, and I felt a jolt of electricity. But I refused to let it affect me. I was done being fooled by him.

"You're free to go, Mr. Roman," I said, my voice detached. "I hope you find what you're looking for."

Adrian's eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something - emotion, perhaps? But it was gone before I could grasp it.

With a nod, he turned and walked away, leaving me to wonder what lay ahead for him, and for me.