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Chapter 26 – The Weight of Trust

Author: Inpeaceplace
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-24 04:31:18

The first light of dawn crept through the wooden slats of the cottage, casting golden streaks across the floor. The warmth of the blankets barely clung to Adrian’s skin, but the restlessness in his mind had already won. Sleep had eluded him entirely, leaving him tangled in thoughts he wished he could escape.

He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the wooden walls, his hands clenched into fists. His body was still, but his mind was anything but.

The night before had been dangerous. Not in the way of physical threats, but something far worse—vulnerability.

She had seen too much of him. And worse, he had let her.

Adrian had spent years convincing himself that he didn’t need anyone. That isolation was safer. That trusting someone—letting them in—only ever led to disappointment.

But she was different.

She didn’t pity him. She didn’t recoil from his scars or his past.

She saw him.

And that terrified him.

A soft rustling sound broke through his thoughts, pulling him back into th
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