Later that evening, the café hummed with a quiet stillness that only came at closing time. The last customer had left almost an hour ago, and now it was just me, Mom, and Patricia. Rain drizzled softly against the windows, casting ripples across the glass. The dim glow from the streetlights outside painted golden patterns over the tables.I wiped down the counter for the third time, dragging out the moment. I wasn’t quite ready to leave yet, even though I knew I had to.Patricia sat at one of the booths, scrolling through her phone with that half-distracted smirk she always wore when she knew something I hadn’t said aloud yet. She’d been watching me all evening, stealing little glances every time I passed by.Mom moved around behind the register, counting the day’s earnings with a calm efficiency, but even she kept stealing glances in my direction.The weight in the room was subtle, but it was there. Like everyone knew something was off, but no one wanted to say it out loud.I finally
The footprints stopped halfway across the room.I stood frozen, the weight of the air pressing down on me as I stared at them.They weren’t large—barely noticeable, but they were there. Damp patches trailing from the balcony toward the corner near the dresser.For a long moment, I couldn’t move.The faint hum of rain outside faded beneath the thud of my heartbeat.I swallowed hard, eyes flicking toward the balcony door. The curtains swayed gently, pushed by the wind, but the lock was still latched.I had locked it. I was sure of it.Someone had been here.I stepped carefully around the prints, crossing the room toward the dresser. There was nothing unusual now—no sign of anyone lingering in the shadows. But the knot in my stomach tightened.The air felt colder.I glanced at the closet, hesitating.Don’t be ridiculous, Mia.Still, I crossed the room and gripped the handle, swinging the door open.Empty.I let out a shaky breath, forcing myself to relax.But I couldn’t shake the feeling
The bracelet sat on the table like it didn’t belong there.I hadn’t worn it since I arrived. I told myself it didn’t mean anything—that it was just another part of the arrangement. But the truth was, I couldn’t look at it without thinking of Adrian. Without feeling… conflicted.I slid the box to the far end of the table, but the weight in my chest didn’t budge.“I’m going for a walk,” I said, pushing back from the table abruptly.My mom glanced over from the sink, drying a plate with slow, careful movements. “Dinner’s almost ready.”“I won’t be long.”She hesitated, her eyes flicking to the bracelet box. “Mia…”I grabbed my coat before she could say more, slipping out the front door.I needed space.---The air was crisp as I walked through the neighborhood, the wind threading through my hair.I barely noticed it.My thoughts circled the same point, over and over again.Coming home was supposed to give me clarity. I thought putting distance between me and Adrian would make things easi
The very next day, I found myself walking near Adrian’s family estate.I hadn’t planned on coming this way, but after hours of pacing around my parents' house, I needed an excuse to get out. My mom had been watching me like I might break at any second, and my dad kept dropping hints about "taking time to think things over."I didn’t need time. I needed clarity.The idea of bumping into Adrian was the last thing I wanted, but something pulled me here anyway. Maybe it was curiosity—or maybe I was just trying to prove to myself that I could be near his world without falling deeper into it.I slowed as I passed the estate’s iron gates. The path leading up to the house was lined with perfectly trimmed hedges, and even from the road, I could see the tall, white columns of the front porch.I was about to keep walking when the sound of footsteps caught my attention.“Mia?”I turned, heart sinking slightly as Adrian’s mother, Alexandra, stepped out from the side garden. She was dressed as impe
"I'm going back home with Adrian," I said, crossing my arms as I faced my mom in the living room.She gave me a skeptical look, her hands pausing mid-stir in her cup of tea. "Why so soon? Have you thought about this carefully, Mia?""I have," I replied firmly, though my voice softened to reassure her. "I want to go back. It's the right thing to do."She set her cup down, leaning forward. "Are you sure? I mean, after everything… maybe a little more time would help you clear your head."I smiled, though it didn’t quite reach my eyes. "Mom, I’ve thought about it long enough. I know what I’m doing. Trust me, okay? I can handle myself."Her lips pursed, worry flickering in her eyes. "I do trust you, Mia. I just want you to be careful, that’s all." She sighed, placing a hand on mine. "Take care of yourself, sweetheart.""I will, Mom. Promise."With that, I headed upstairs to pack my things.---In my room, I folded the last of my clothes into the suitcase, my mind swirling with thoughts. Ad
“Why do you care so much, Adrian?”The words slipped out before I could stop them, slicing through the tense silence in the living room like a sharp blade.Adrian froze mid-typing on his laptop, his fingers hovering over the keys. He didn’t look at me right away, but his jaw ticked—a telltale sign I’d struck a nerve.“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said finally, his tone clipped.I leaned back against the couch, crossing my arms as I studied him. “Oh, come on. Don’t act like you haven’t been glaring at me for the past three days every time I so much as smile at someone else.”He exhaled sharply through his nose, shutting his laptop with a little too much force. “You’re imagining things, Mia.”“Am I?” I challenged, arching an eyebrow. “Because it seems like you have an awful lot of opinions about who I talk to and when.”Adrian’s dark eyes finally met mine, his gaze sharp and unreadable. For a moment, the air between us felt electric, charged with all the unspoken words we
The morning after the café incident was super weird and unbearable. The silence in the kitchen was thick, heavier than it had ever been. Adrian was leaning against the counter, scrolling through his phone like he was trying to erase me from his mind. I stood at the sink, staring at the same unbuttered slice of toast for what felt like an eternity, my thoughts racing.I couldn’t take it anymore. “Are we really going to spend the whole day pretending the other doesn’t exist?”He didn’t even look up. “I’m not pretending anything, Mia.”His voice was cold, distant. The Adrian from yesterday—the one who’d gone from simmering anger to raw jealousy—was nowhere to be found. And that only made me angrier.I dropped the knife onto the counter, the clatter cutting through the silence. “Oh, so this is what we’re doing now? Silent treatment? Sulking? You know, for someone who acts like they have everything under control, you’re pretty childish.”That got his attention. He set his phone down with a
It started with a wine cellar.Adrian’s mansion had more rooms than anyone could reasonably need, but the wine cellar was easily the most ridiculous. I mean, it looked like something out of a historical novel—floor-to-ceiling racks, each one stacked with bottles of wine that I was pretty sure no one actually drank. But tonight, when I realized we were out of sparkling water upstairs, I thought maybe I’d grab a bottle from the cellar. It was, after all, a massive house, and surely the wine wasn’t the only thing that needed keeping.The plan was simple: go down, grab the water, and leave. But once I stepped inside, the dim lighting was enough to make me second-guess everything. A creepy chill ran down my spine. I wasn’t a fan of dark, quiet spaces like this. Maybe I should’ve called Adrian for help, but honestly, I didn’t need him hovering over me like some overprotective shadow.I grabbed a flashlight from the nearby shelf because the cellar's lighting was about as bright as a dying ca
The evening was nothing short of perfect. The soft hum of the city below mixed with the gentle whisper of the wind, and the sky stretched out in vibrant hues of orange and pink. It felt like the entire world had paused to give us this moment, a rare and precious gift. The balcony where we stood had become our sanctuary—a place where we could breathe, where we could be just us, without the weight of the world pressing down on our shoulders. It had witnessed our transformation, from uncertainty to the kind of deep, unwavering love that anchored us here, in this peaceful moment.Adrian’s arm was around my shoulders, holding me close, and I felt the warmth of him seep into me, deep into my very bones. There was something about the way he held me—like he’d never let go, no matter what. The simple touch of his hand was grounding, like a promise. It felt like the world had faded away, leaving only us here. The hum of the city below was distant, muted, as if the world knew that in this moment
The soft glow of the morning sun filtered through the large windows of our cozy home, casting golden rays across the room. The world outside was just beginning to wake up, and I could hear the distant hum of cars on the road, the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze, but here, in this moment, it felt like it was just us. Adrian’s deep, contented breath beside me was the first sound I heard as I woke, his arm wrapped around me, holding me close. I smiled, enjoying the peace of the moment. We had been married for six months now, and somehow, everything felt both familiar and brand new at the same time. Like we were writing a story together that we’d never expected but were fully committed to.I glanced over at him, unable to resist. His features were softened in sleep, the usual intensity of his expression replaced with a peaceful calm. His lips were parted slightly, and I could see the subtle rise and fall of his chest with each breath he took. There was something about the sight of
The day had finally arrived. The crisp morning air was filled with the soft hum of birdsong, blending harmoniously with the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore. The estate was a picture of serenity and beauty, nestled on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sparkling blue ocean. The sprawling gardens, meticulously maintained, were adorned with white roses, cascading ivy, and golden lanterns that twinkled even in the bright light of day. The venue was a dream—exactly what Mia had envisioned, though she would have never admitted just how much time she spent agonizing over the details. As the sun climbed higher into the sky, its rays kissed the tops of the trees, casting dappled light over the rows of chairs and the pristine white aisle that stretched toward the ornate floral arch at the altar. Mia stood in front of a gilded mirror in the bridal suite, her hands trembling slightly as they smoothed over the soft fabric of her dress. Her breath caught in her throat as she to
I stood in the center of the boutique, staring at myself in the mirror. The lace of the wedding dress hugged my frame perfectly, the subtle shimmer catching the sunlight streaming through the large windows. The delicate floral embroidery along the bodice and hemline made the dress feel timeless, a perfect blend of elegance and romance. Yet, as perfect as it was, my chest felt tight, and my hands clutched nervously at the fabric as though grounding myself.“Are you sure about this one?” Claire’s voice broke through my thoughts. She stepped beside me, tilting her head as she studied my reflection. Her fingers reached out to adjust the veil slightly, her touch light but deliberate. Her tone was casual, but I knew her too well—there was an undercurrent of concern in her words.“It’s beautiful,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. I smoothed my hands over the intricate embroidery again, as if doing so would steady my nerves. “But… it still feels surreal.”Claire sighed, folding
The sound of waves lapping against the shore filled the quiet evening, a rhythmic hum that steadied Mia’s racing thoughts. She had no idea what Adrian was planning. A simple invitation to dinner had turned into a mysterious journey, one that brought her to this private beach under a sky painted in hues of pink and orange. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over everything. It was beautiful—but Adrian was being suspiciously quiet, his usual confidence subdued by what seemed to be nervous energy. “Are you going to tell me what this is about?” Mia asked, her voice breaking the silence as they walked along the soft sand. The fine grains shifted beneath her feet, cool and inviting, yet her heart was anything but calm. Adrian turned to her, his dark eyes softer than she’d ever seen them. “Just trust me,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “We’re almost there.” “‘Just trust me,’” Mia repeated, raising a skeptical brow. “Do you even realize how ominous that sounds? You’re n
Mia stood in front of the mirror, carefully adjusting the black dress she had chosen for the family gathering that night. It was an elegant piece, simple but fitting for what she had learned to embrace in her life—grace through challenges. Her fingers hovered over the fabric, unsure if she was ready for the weight of the evening, yet she knew it was necessary. She had made peace with Adrian’s mother—or at least, she hoped she had.The soft silk slid over her skin, and for a moment, she let herself breathe. The reflection staring back at her seemed like someone she didn’t quite recognize. There was a time when she would have run from a situation like this—an evening with Adrian’s family, full of expectations and formalities—but not anymore. She had learned that the only way through this was to face it head-on.Her heart beat a little faster as she thought of the woman she would have to face tonight: Alexandra Knight. Adrian’s mother had always been a constant reminder of how different
Adrian and I were no longer strangers to one another, but the space between us was wide—wide enough to feel like a canyon, despite the way he reached for my hand. It had been days since we made our decision to try again, but rebuilding what we’d lost felt like trying to reassemble a shattered mirror. Each step forward felt like it might be the wrong one, but we couldn’t go back. I couldn’t go back.We were sitting in the same quiet café where everything had fallen apart. The same place where Adrian had hesitated, where my heart had broken, and where, for the first time in months, we were attempting something that felt almost... normal.The hum of quiet conversation surrounded us, punctuated by the clinking of coffee cups and the soft rustling of pages turning. I could smell the rich aroma of espresso in the air, but it did nothing to mask the tension that clung between us. It was as if the café had become a silent witness to all the moments of our relationship—the good, the bad, and t
The café smelled of roasted coffee beans and freshly baked pastries, but the comforting aroma did nothing to settle the storm in my chest. I chose the corner booth, tucked away from the hum of conversations and the clinking of cups. My hands gripped the mug of chamomile tea in front of me, its warmth grounding me as I rehearsed what I wanted to say.Adrian was late.That wasn’t unusual for him—he always used to breeze in five or ten minutes after the clock struck, his apologies accompanied by some grand gesture. A bouquet of lilies. A designer pen he thought would inspire my next journal entry. Or just his lopsided smirk that somehow made forgiveness feel inevitable.But this time, I didn’t want grand gestures or charming apologies. I wanted honesty. I wanted answers. I needed him to face the reality of what he had done and the damage he had caused. Irrespective of the passionate kiss we shared the other night some part of me still didn't want to trust him completely I felt like I sti
The crisp evening air carried the faint scent of pine as I paced nervously in my small living room. Tonight was the night I would make my choice, and the weight of it pressed down on me with every passing second. I’d spent days in turmoil, analyzing every moment, every feeling, every word exchanged with both Adrian and Ethan. My heart had been pulled in two directions, and now, it was time to decide.The faint ticking of the wall clock seemed louder than ever, each second an unbearable reminder of the decision looming before me. I glanced at the coffee table where my phone sat, taunting me with its silence. The memories of the past few weeks flooded my mind—Ethan’s gentle smile, Adrian’s smoldering gaze, and the countless moments that had torn my heart apart.Finally, my phone buzzed, shattering the silence. My breath hitched as I reached for it, my hands trembling. It was a text from Ethan.Ethan: “Whenever you’re ready, I’m here.”His words were simple, but the weight behind them wa