After a few moments, Adrian releases my hair and takes the washcloth and wets it again under the faucet before handing it to me.
This time, I take it.
I press it against my face, wiping away the sweat and tears, and take a shaky breath.
"Thank you," I say.
Adrian nods and sits beside me, his shoulder brushing against mine, and for the first time since he found me, I don't flinch away.
We sit in silence for a long time, and eventually Adrian speaks.
“Are you feeling better? Do you want to rest?”
I shake my head.
"I don't want to be alone."
The words slip out before I can stop them, and I immediately regret it.
"Okay," he says simply.
He stands and holds out his hand.
I stare at it for a moment, my heart pounding in my chest.
Then, slowly, I reach up and take it.
His hand is warm and steady, and he pulls me to my feet gently, his other hand steadying me when I sway.
"Easy," he says.
I nod, and I let him guide me out of the bathroom.
We walk slowly down the hallway, Adrian's arm around my waist to keep me upright, and he leads me to the living room.
He settles me onto the couch, draping a soft blanket over my legs, and then sits beside me, close enough that I can feel his warmth but far enough that I don't feel trapped.
"You need to rest," he says.
I nod, too exhausted to argue.
Adrian reaches for a glass of water on the side table and hands it to me.
"Drink this, my love.”
I look at him for a long moment, shocked that this is my reality, and take the glass and sip slowly, the cool liquid soothing my raw throat.
When I'm done, I set the glass down and lean back against the couch, my eyes drifting closed.
"Adi?" I whisper.
"Yeah?"
"Don't leave."
There's a pause, and then I feel his hand gently cover mine.
"I'm not going anywhere, Leni," he says, his voice soft. "I promise."