Chapter 384: Clear Signs of Awakening

Claire Sterling’s shout shattered the silence of the intensive care unit.

The on-duty nurse immediately rushed over, followed closely by the attending physician on call.

The doctor leaned over, first glancing up at the monitor. The readings had stabilized but still showed the clear traces of a recent fluctuation.

He then put on a pair of medical gloves, gently lifted Adrian Lancaster’s eyelids with his fingertips, and quickly checked his pupillary response with a penlight.

Next, he gently pressed Adrian’s arm and fingertips, performing a professional neurological reflex test.

Claire Sterling stood to the side, hardly daring to breathe as she anxiously watched the doctor’s every move.

She was terrified that the fleeting movement had just been a hallucination, a product of her own desperate longing.

"Doctor, my son... he really moved just now. I’m not lying."

"His finger suddenly twitched, and then it curled up. The monitor’s readings jumped, too! Please, take a look. Is he about to wake up?"

The doctor didn’t reply at once. He focused on completing a series of examinations and carefully reviewed the clinical progress notes by the bed before finally removing his gloves and looking at Claire Sterling’s expectant face.

"You weren’t mistaken. The patient is indeed showing clear preliminary signs of waking up."

The doctor’s tone carried a hint of joyful certainty.

"Although the patient is still in a comatose state and his brain has not fully regained consciousness, he is unable to open his eyes, perceive the outside world, or respond voluntarily at this time."

"However, the finger movement just now was a neurological reflex, his brain’s response to an external auditory stimulus. It means his consciousness is slowly returning. This is an excellent sign."

The doctor’s words made Claire Sterling burst into tears.

All the worry, torment, and pain that had built up over the past several days transformed into tears of overwhelming joy.

She nodded repeatedly, so choked with emotion that she couldn’t form a complete sentence, only managing to repeat, "That’s wonderful... truly wonderful... Doctor, thank you, thank you so much..."

Claire Sterling had been dreaming of the day her son would show signs of waking. Now, that day had finally come. Even if it was just the twitch of a finger, even if he still couldn’t open his eyes, it was enough to give the entire family hope.

After composing herself a little, Claire Sterling wiped her tears and immediately asked with renewed urgency.

"Doctor, since my son is showing signs of waking, when will he be able to open his eyes and wake up completely?"

"We can’t determine a specific timeframe. It could be as quick as three to five days, or it could take longer," the doctor said, shaking his head. His tone was cautious.

"We’ll adjust his treatment plan and intensify stimulation therapy. It would also be good for the family to talk to him more often—mention people and things he cares about. Increasing external stimulation will help him wake up."

"In particular, you should continue talking about whatever it was that triggered his reaction just now. Repeating that stimulus will be very helpful in waking him up."

The implication couldn’t have been clearer: the thing that had made Adrian Lancaster react was the mention of Wren Sutton.

Claire Sterling understood instantly. She nodded emphatically, committing the doctor’s words to memory.

...

The door to the intensive care unit opened, and Claire Sterling walked out, her eyes red. She immediately spotted Wren Sutton, who was waiting with eager anticipation.

Wren Sutton immediately rushed forward. "Mom, how is he? Is Adrian okay?"

Claire Sterling grabbed her daughter-in-law’s hand, her grip tightening as her eyes shone with joyful tears.

"Wren, it’s wonderful news! The doctor said Adrian is showing signs of waking up. He could open his eyes and be fully awake in as little as three to five days!"

Upon hearing the news, Wren Sutton was so overcome with happiness that her expression froze. Ecstasy surged through her, and for a moment, she was too choked with emotion to speak.

When the reality of it sank in, she was so happy she nearly burst into tears. She clutched her mother-in-law’s hand, seeking confirmation again and again.

"Mom, is it true? Did the doctor really say that? In just three to five days, Adrian could wake up!"

Claire Sterling patted Wren Sutton’s hand and said, enunciating each word with clear, solemn gravity, "It’s absolutely true. Mom wouldn’t joke about something this important."

It was the reassurance Wren Sutton needed. She subconsciously clasped her hands together.

"Thank God. We’ve finally gotten this wonderful news. I knew it. I knew this family meant too much to him... that he would definitely wake up."

"I was telling Adrian how people were slandering you online, how you’d been wronged. The moment I finished speaking, his finger moved," Claire Sterling explained gently, revealing the crucial detail.

"The doctor ran a series of tests and confirmed it’s a sign that he’s about to wake up. He just can’t open his eyes or regain full consciousness yet."

"Wren, it was you. Adrian reacted because he heard you were being slandered, because he heard you’d been wronged. He’s always thinking of you, always wanting to protect you."

"..."

Wren Sutton’s eyes instantly welled up as she stood there, stunned.

The tears she had just fought back surged up once more.

She opened her mouth to speak, but it felt like a lump had formed in her throat, and for a long moment, not a single sound came out.

In that moment, all the exhausting vigils, all the humiliation and fear, all the private, agonizing uncertainty she’d endured late into the night—it all suddenly had a purpose.

She thought about the man lying deep in a coma, completely unconscious, his mind a chaotic fog, unable to even open his eyes. And yet, the moment he heard she had been slandered and wronged, he had reacted instinctively.

That was Adrian Lancaster, giving her a response from the depths of his coma with every ounce of his strength. It was his profound love for her, a protectiveness etched into his very bones.

Wren Sutton sniffled, her heart aching with a bittersweet pang, an indescribable mix of heartache and profound emotion.

She lifted her gaze to the closed door, her eyes filled with a resolve and hope that had been absent before, replacing the anxiety and despair.

’I know. I’ve always known you would never leave me.’

’I’m not afraid of the rumors. I don’t care what anyone says. All I want right now is for you to wake up safe and sound.’

’Adrian Lancaster...’

Wren Sutton murmured Adrian Lancaster’s name with deep affection.

A breeze drifted in from a window down the hall, carrying a hint of warmth. A gentle, tearful smile slowly bloomed on Wren Sutton’s lips.

’Wake up. Let’s go home together. Let’s never be apart again. We’ll be together forever.’

Beside her, an overjoyed Claire Sterling quickly pulled out her phone, eager to share the good news with the family group chat.

[Adrian is showing signs of waking up. The doctor says it’s a great sign and he could be fully awake in as little as three to five days.]

The moment the message was sent, the group chat erupted.

The matriarch, Theodore Lancaster, Julian Lancaster, Lucia Lancaster, and Sean Sterling all replied one after another, every message filled with irrepressible joy and well-wishes.

[What a wonderful surprise! Adrian is a real fighter, truly worthy of being the eldest son and grandson of the Lancaster family!]

[Wonderful! This is such uplifting news.]

[My brother is incredible! His will to live is amazing!]

Claire Sterling sent a few simple replies, telling everyone not to rush over.

The ICU was no place for a crowd. They wouldn’t be allowed in anyway, and their presence would only be a nuisance to the hospital.

In the group chat, Julian Lancaster tagged Lucia Lancaster.

[Lucia, Caleb Caldwell isn’t in this group. Please share the good news with him. He’s been running all over the hospital for us these past few days and worrying about the car crash investigation. It’s only right that we let him know.]

Lucia Lancaster saw the message and replied instantly.

[Okay, I’ll tell him right now.]

Lucia then exited the family group chat and opened her private conversation with Caleb Caldwell.

[I have great news! My brother is showing signs of waking up! The doctor says he could be fully awake in just three to five days.]

Normally, whenever she sent Caleb Caldwell a message, he would reply almost instantly.

Today was no exception.

The moment her message went through, the "typing..." indicator appeared at the top of the chat window.

Just a few seconds later, Caleb Caldwell’s reply popped up.

[That’s wonderful. Finally, some good news.]

[Lucia, I’m just as happy as you are.]

Lucia Lancaster smiled as she looked at the screen.

The news of Adrian Lancaster showing signs of waking up was like a warm ray of sunshine, dispelling the gloom that had hung over the Lancaster family for days.

Not long after, the attending physician responsible for Adrian Lancaster’s care entered the ICU again to do his rounds.

After completing his examinations, a gratified smile appeared in the doctor’s eyes.

"The patient’s consciousness is gradually returning. At this rate, it won’t be more than a few days before he wakes up completely."