Chapter 226: Chapter 226: Is This Position Uncomfortable?
Wren Sutton thought Adrian Lancaster was overreacting.
"I really don’t need to go to the hospital for X-rays. It was just a minor twist. It’s not that serious, and there’s no way it’s broken."
Adrian Lancaster patiently explained in a gentle voice, "We can’t tell with the naked eye whether it’s broken or if a ligament is torn. We need to run tests with proper equipment to know for sure."
"If it’s not treated promptly, it could lead to recurrent sprains, and it’ll ache on rainy days."
Wren shook her head. "You’re exaggerating."
Adrian Lancaster looked down at her, his gaze filled with an insistence that allowed no argument. "Listen to me. We have to go to the hospital for an X-ray to confirm there’s no fracture or a severely torn ligament."
Wren was about to say more, but Adrian had already swept her into his arms and was carrying her downstairs.
"You can be mad at me, and you can think I’m overreacting, but we are going to the hospital today. We have to."
His strides were steady and swift. As he passed through the living room, he instructed the staff, "I’m taking my wife to the hospital to get her ankle checked. Take good care of the children, and call me if anything comes up."
"I can walk on my own," Wren struggled in his arms, only to be held even tighter.
"From this moment on, your foot is not to touch the ground."
"..."
The car was already waiting at the entrance.
Adrian Lancaster settled Wren into the back seat, carefully adjusting her position. He gently lifted her injured foot, then propped it up securely with a soft cushion he had prepared in advance.
Every movement was meticulous, gentle, and patient.
"Adrian, there’s really no need to be this anxious." Wren looked at his tightly furrowed brow, her voice softening helplessly.
Adrian fastened her seatbelt, then looked up at her words. Their eyes met, and his were filled with concern, heartache, and something even deeper.
"To me, it’s absolutely necessary. I refuse to take any risks. Even if there’s only a one-in-a-million chance, I can’t stand the thought of you having a lasting injury that would cause you pain someday."
He quietly closed the car door, sat down beside Wren, and ordered the driver to go.
The car pulled smoothly out of the villa’s gates. Adrian took out his phone, called a doctor, and made arrangements for the examination.
Wren watched the streetscape fly by outside the window, listening to the steady, strong sound of his voice. The faint resistance in her heart gradually gave way to a warm feeling.
「Half an hour later.」
The car pulled into the underground garage of a private hospital.
Adrian got out of the car and lifted Wren out.
"Please let me walk on my own at the hospital," Wren said, feeling a little embarrassed.
Adrian replied sternly, "No. Your foot will hurt."
The words had barely left his lips when Head Foster, the one he had called, approached them with two nurses, his demeanor respectful and polite.
"Mr. Lancaster, Mrs. Lancaster."
Adrian nodded. "Head Foster."
Wren also gave him a polite nod.
After a few pleasantries, Head Foster instructed the nurses, "Quick, help Mrs. Lancaster into the wheelchair."
"That won’t be necessary." Adrian adjusted his hold on Wren, letting her lean more comfortably against him. "My wife’s ankle can’t bear any weight. I’ll carry her."
Head Foster was taken aback for a moment, then smiled.
"Very well. Let’s head to the radiology department on the third floor. I’ve already given them a heads-up, so there’s no need to wait in line."
"Thank you for taking the trouble."
"Not at all, Mr. Lancaster. This way, please."
On the way to the elevator, Adrian’s gait was steady and unhurried.
He avoided the crowds, opting for the staff-only corridor, and every step he took was firm and sure.
As they entered the elevator, he turned to block the closing doors with his back, making sure they wouldn’t touch Wren’s ankle.
Inside the elevator, one of the nurses couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at Adrian.
Mr. Lancaster had been carrying his wife the entire time without a single tremor in his arms. His breathing was even, and his gaze was focused and gentle.
’I’m so jealous of Mrs. Lancaster.’
Adrian looked down and asked Wren softly, "Are you uncomfortable in this position? Should I adjust?"
Wren shook her head, her cheeks flushing slightly. She didn’t feel much like talking.
She could feel people staring, but Adrian seemed completely oblivious, his attention focused solely on her.
The doctor was already waiting at the entrance to the radiology department.
"Mr. Lancaster, right this way."
Adrian gently placed Wren on the examination table.
"Please be gentle," he said to the doctor, his voice polite but serious. "My wife sprained her right ankle. Please move her as carefully as possible."
The doctor nodded. "Rest assured, we’ll be very careful."
Adrian gave a satisfied hum. Before leaving the exam room, he made a point to tell Wren, "Don’t be afraid. I’ll be right outside."
During the few minutes they waited, the driver went to the ground floor lobby to handle the payment while Adrian stood watch outside the exam room door.
Even though he couldn’t see anything through the glass, his gaze never wavered from the door.
「A few minutes later.」
The examination was over.
The moment the doctor opened the door, Adrian rushed inside.
He didn’t ask about the results first. Instead, he leaned over to check on Wren.
"Does it hurt? Did they bump it while they were moving you?"
"It doesn’t hurt," Wren’s voice was quiet.
"You can relax, Mr. Lancaster," Head Foster said, pointing to the X-ray film. "Mrs. Lancaster doesn’t have a fracture, just a minor ligament sprain."
Adrian let out a long sigh of relief, his body finally relaxing.
But he immediately followed up with more questions. "Does it need to be braced? How long will a full recovery take? Is there a risk of lasting effects, like recurrent sprains?"
His questions were detailed and precise. As Head Foster answered, Adrian diligently took notes on his phone.
When the doctor mentioned icing and elevating the ankle, he pressed for specific details.
"How long should we apply ice each time? What’s the interval between applications? And when she’s lying down, how high should the pillow be to elevate it?"
Head Foster answered in turn.
Adrian recorded every word.
Sunlight slanted in through the hallway window, casting light and shadow across his focused profile.
Once he had confirmed all the details, Adrian put his phone away, said his thanks, then bent down and lifted Wren into his arms, whispering in her ear, "Let’s go home."
The ride back to the villa was smooth.
While they were stopped at a red light, Wren couldn’t help but ask, "Adrian, are your arms sore?"
A warmth spread through Adrian’s chest. "Why are you suddenly asking that?"
Wren froze. She quickly hid the emotion in her eyes and turned to look out the window.
"It was just a casual question. If you don’t want to answer, just forget it."
"Are you mad at me now?"
"..."
A gentle smile bloomed in Adrian’s eyes. He reached out, took Wren’s hand, and pulled her into his arms.
"I could hold you forever and my arms would never get sore."
