Two weeks later, the hospital corridors felt strangely brighter as Talia was wheeled out of her ward, dressed in soft clothes her mother had brought. Her color had returned to her steps slowly but steady as she walked beside the nurse.
Adrian followed closely, carrying her small bag in one hand, his other hand hovering protectively at her back, as if he couldn't bear the thought of her stumbling. He hadn't left her side since the night she was rescued — always there, quiet but steadfast.
When they stepped out into the fresh air, Adrian's sleek black car was waiting at the curb. He opened the door for her with unusual gentleness, his eyes soft as he helped her inside like she was the most fragile treasure in the world.
The drive was quiet at first. The city stretched outside the windows, alive with its usual hum, but inside the car there was only stillness. Talia leaned her head lightly against the glass, her fingers folded over her lap.
"You don't have to be afraid anymore. You're safe now… with your family. With me." (He said breaking the silence, voice low.)
Talia turned her head, studying him for a moment. There was no mask this time, no corporate armor. Just a man who had fought against himself, against his enemies, and against fate — all for her.
She gave a faint, grateful smile.
"Thank you, Adrian… for not giving up on me."
His grip on the steering wheel tightened, his jaw flexing as though holding back emotions too raw to spill out here.
Soon, they pulled into her parents' compound. The moment the car rolled to a stop, the front door flew open — her mother rushing out, her father right behind her.
Talia stepped out of the car, and before she could take two steps, her mother engulfed her in a crushing embrace, sobbing openly. Her father's arms came around them both, his usually stoic face breaking with tears.
Adrian stood a few feet back, watching the reunion with a deep ache in his chest. He wanted to hold her, to keep her, but this was her family's moment. Still, Talia looked back at him over her mother's shoulder, her eyes finding him. That look was enough.
"You're home, baby. You're home at last." Said her mum.
As they drew her into the house, Adrian finally exhaled, his chest rising and falling heavily. For the first time in years, Wolfe Tower didn't feel like the center of his world. Right here, watching Talia safe in her parents' arms — this was what mattered.
He whispered under his breath, almost like a vow only he could hear:
"Never again will I let anyone hurt you."
And with that, Adrian Wolfe stepped into the Brooks household for the first time, not as the feared CEO — but as the man who had almost lost the woman he loved.
Her mother's tears slowed after a while, though her arms still clung protectively around her daughter. Finally, she turned to Adrian, her gaze softening for the first time since they met.
"Mr. Wolfe… Thank you. I don't even know how to say it. But you've done enough for today."
She studied his face closely — the faint shadows under his eyes, the way his shoulders sagged as though carrying too much for too long.
She said, gently but firmly "Go home and rest. You look like you haven't slept in weeks."
Adrian tried to protest, his voice low.
"I'll stay until I'm sure she's—"
But Talia stepped in, her voice calm, her eyes holding his with quiet strength.
"Adrian… It's okay. I'm safe now. Please… go and rest."
For a long moment, he just looked at her — torn between leaving and the urge to keep standing guard. But at last, he nodded.
He spoke softly, almost like a promise "Call me if you need anything. Anything at all."
He reached for her hand briefly, a warm squeeze that lingered before he finally let go. Then, with one last glance at her and her family gathered around, Adrian stepped back and headed out into the night — his tall frame heavy with exhaustion, but his heart strangely lighter.
Life was beginning to steady again. The horror of the abduction had become a scar — still fresh, but healing slowly. Talia had returned home under the watchful eyes of her parents, and Adrian, though buried in work at Wolfe & Co, never let a day pass without checking in.
His calls came in the morning, often simple: "How are you feeling today?" In the evenings, he would ask if she'd eaten. Packages arrived at their doorstep almost weekly — sometimes flowers, sometimes thoughtful gifts her mother marveled at. And always, money transfers slipped quietly into her account, enough to ease every worry.
Her mother noticed.
One quiet afternoon, as Talia folded laundry in their sitting room, her mother leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a smile that carried both curiosity and amusement.
"My daughter… are you going to tell me what's going on between you and Mr. Wolfe?"
Talia froze, then laughed nervously.
"Mum, it's nothing. He's just… kind. Maybe too kind. That's all."
Her mother raised a brow, unconvinced.
"Kind? Or in love? Because no man does all this for 'just kindness.'"
Talia shook her head, cheeks warming, and waved it off.
"Mum, please. Adrian Wolfe? Feelings for me? Don't make me laugh."
Her mother chuckled knowingly, and soon both of them dissolved into laughter, though in her heart, Talia wasn't sure why the thought had made her blush.
That evening, her phone chimed. It was a message from Adrian:
"Talia, I want to take you out on a proper date. There's something I'd like to show you. I'll send a makeover team to prepare you for the day. Trust me."
Her heart skipped, her fingers hovering over the screen. Before she could even respond, her mother had peeked at her expression and guessed.
Her Mother clapped her hands in delight.
"A date? Oh, Talia, look at you! Finally, I knew it!"
Talia rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her shy smile.
"Mum, stop. It's just… a dinner. Nothing more."
But her mother wasn't listening. She was already fussing about what dress might look best, her excitement contagious. For the first time in a long while, Talia found herself looking forward to the days ahead.