Chapter 4 : Going Home to Get the Household Register

Clearly, Christian was in the wrong, but facing his calm, deep eyes, Adrian couldn''t help but lose his momentum. With his wrist held, his heart pounded uncontrollably, and he momentarily forgot what he wanted to say.

Feeling the warmth from his wrist, Adrian didn''t move, almost greedily hoping Christian would hold on a bit longer. But such thoughts were futile. In the blink of an eye, Christian let go, like a bucket of cold water dousing Adrian''s jealousy-fueled mind, bringing him back to his senses.

Reflecting on what he had just witnessed and what Brandon had said, Adrian grew increasingly uneasy.

Break up?

Looking between Christian and Brandon, Adrian''s resolve hardened.

No, he wouldn''t agree to break up!

"I don''t agree." Adrian took a deep breath, suppressing his emotions, and turned to Brandon. "Even a criminal needs a reason to be convicted. What did I do to make you want to break up with me?"

Brandon remained silent, his gaze briefly flicking to Adrian''s wrist, where Christian had grabbed him, a flash of mockery in his eyes.

Adrian saw it clearly, his brow furrowing.

"Brandon..."

"Just go. We''re adults; there''s no need to make a scene. Mr. Mellon surely has some dignity."

Adrian''s heart skipped a beat.

Could it be...

Seeing the resolute look on Brandon''s face, Adrian felt a growing sense of unease, as if things were slipping out of his control.

"Why?"

Brandon didn''t answer, his attitude leaving no room for negotiation.

Adrian could see that Brandon was dead set on breaking up.

"The IV is almost empty," Christian suddenly broke the eerie silence, casually pushing Adrian aside to press the call button.

A nurse quickly came to remove Brandon''s needle.

Christian held a cotton swab against the needle mark on Brandon''s hand, making sure there was no bleeding before asking, "Ready to go?"

"Yeah," Brandon replied, getting up to put on his shoes. He then left with Christian.

Neither of them looked at Adrian, as if they had forgotten his existence, treating him like he was invisible.

Watching their backs as they walked away, Adrian''s pupils contracted, his face turning cold.

Before coming here, Adrian had seen the trending news, but he didn''t believe any of the cheating rumors.

He came mainly because Christian was here and he didn''t want Christian to have a chance to be alone with Brandon. But he never expected to walk in on such a scene.

When he saw them hugging, he was furious. But it wasn''t the first time he had gotten jealous and thrown a fit. Usually, Brandon would be secretly pleased and try to appease him. Why was it different this time, with Brandon wanting to break up?

Adrian followed them out of the hospital, watching as Brandon got into Christian''s car. He squinted, feeling that something was different.

...

Brandon stared out the car window, his gaze heavy. Only when Adrian''s figure disappeared did he look away. He turned to speak but was caught off guard by Christian''s lingering gaze.

"Christian, I..."

"Where to?" Christian asked nonchalantly, looking straight ahead.

Brandon paused, then said, "I need to go home to get my household registration book."

Speaking of home, Brandon remembered Christian mentioning that his brother would come. He quickly sent a message to his brother, letting him know he had been discharged so he wouldn''t make a wasted trip.

After sending the message, Brandon noticed Christian hadn''t said a word. He glanced at him, "You..."

"Where will we live after we get married?" Christian interrupted.

"Huh?" Brandon was taken aback by the sudden change in topic.

"Your apartment is nice, but it''s too busy and not private enough," Christian said. "My place is more secluded, but it''s a bit out of the way and might be inconvenient."

"Let''s stay at your place," Brandon agreed, knowing Christian was avoiding the topic of Adrian. "Since we''re having a secret marriage, and you''re always in the media spotlight, a quieter place is better."

The car stopped outside the Ford Family Villa. Brandon unbuckled his seatbelt and got out, about to remind Christian to drive safely, but saw him getting out too.

Seeing Brandon''s surprise, Christian said calmly, "It''s rude not to go in. Besides, getting married is a big deal, and we should inform the family."

As soon as Christian finished speaking, a black business car pulled up next to Christian''s car. Brandon looked over and saw his brother Caleb getting out.

Seeing Caleb''s face, which resembled his own, Brandon''s nose tingled, and his eyes blurred with tears.

His brother had always taken care of him, almost like a parent after their parents passed away. But in his previous life, because of him, Caleb ended up alone. His sister-in-law and nephew died in an accident, the company faced a crisis and nearly went bankrupt, and Caleb drowned his sorrows in alcohol, eventually dying in a car accident on the day Brandon was kidnapped.

Less than a week after Brandon and Christian''s car accident, Caleb also died in a car crash.

When Brandon woke up from the car accident and learned of Caleb''s tragic death, it was like a bolt from the blue. He couldn''t process it and was immediately taken to the cemetery. At the time, he didn''t have time to think, but now, looking back, it all seemed too coincidental, sending chills down his spine.

It was Adrian!

It was Adrian''s revenge!

The moment Brandon realized it, he clenched his fists tightly.

"Just got to the hospital and received your message..." Caleb started to say, but stopped when he saw Brandon''s bloodshot eyes. He chuckled, "What''s going on?"

Before he could finish, Brandon rushed over and hugged him tightly. Feeling his trembling, Caleb raised his hand to pat Brandon''s back soothingly, but looked up at Christian.

Christian thought for a moment, "Adrian went to the hospital."

So, it''s because of Adrian?

Caleb frowned and rubbed the back of Brandon''s head, "You''re a grown man, crying when you''re upset. What, did you have a fight?"

Brandon shook his head and held onto Caleb for a while before letting go. Not only were his eyes red, but his nose was also bright red.

"I thought I was going to die and never see you again."

Thinking Brandon was referring to the near-drowning incident, Caleb found it both amusing and a bit heartbreaking. He didn''t really believe Brandon was scared because of the drowning, but since Brandon didn''t say anything, he didn''t ask.

Patting Brandon''s shoulder, Caleb walked towards Christian and extended his hand, "Sorry for the trouble, Mr. Shang."

Christian smiled at Caleb and shook his hand, "It''s my duty."

Hearing this, Caleb raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Bro, let''s go inside. We have something to tell you." Brandon rubbed his nose, having calmed down, though his eyes were still red.

Caleb noticed the "we" he mentioned, glanced at the two of them, and without saying anything, nodded and went inside first.

Brandon and Christian exchanged a look before following him in.