76. Awake.

It's been two days since I last felt Adrian's touch. Two agonizing days of watching Gabriella monopolize his time with her manipulative lies.

Upon exiting the bathroom I step out of the shower, wrapped in a towel, I'm lost in these bitter thoughts. Entering my room, I stop short. Adrian is there, sitting on the edge of my bed, his presence both thrilling and infuriating.

"Stella," he says, his voice soft. "How are you?"

I ignore him, moving to my dresser searching for a suitable panty to put on. The tension in the room is evident.

"Listen, I wanted to explain about Gabriella—" Adrian begins, but I cut him off.

"You don't need to explain yourself," I say, my voice flat. "I understand."

I can see his reflection in the mirror, watch as he stands and approaches me. His hand reaches out, aiming to touch my shoulder, but I step away.

"Don't," I say, wrapping my arms around myself. "Please, just don't."

The hurt in his eyes is clear, but right now, I can't bring myself to care. The pain of t