Evening – Adrian's Office
The silence in the room was suffocating. Liana Carter sat frozen in the sleek leather chair, her hands trembling slightly as she stared at the file in front of her. Her name was printed in bold letters on the cover—a cruel reminder that Adrian Knight had been watching her.
Her throat tightened as she slowly flipped the file open. Her entire life was laid bare—her apartment address, her work schedule, even her favorite coffee shop.
He knew everything.
She lifted her eyes to meet Adrian's. He was leaning back in his chair, one hand holding a glass of whiskey, the other drumming against the armrest with calculated patience. His gaze was unyielding—cold, piercing, and utterly merciless.
"What do you want from me, Adrian?" Liana's voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried the weight of the fear in her chest.
Adrian tilted his head slightly, as if amused by her question.
"I want answers," he said softly, his voice deceptively calm.
He set his glass down and stood, walking around the desk slowly, his eyes never leaving hers.
"You left," he said, his tone low but sharp, like the edge of a blade.
He stopped right beside her chair and bent slightly, bringing his face dangerously close to hers.
"No explanation. No goodbye. Just… gone."
Liana's breath caught in her throat. She clenched her hands into fists to keep them from trembling.
"I had my reasons," she muttered, her voice barely steady.
Adrian's jaw clenched. His eyes narrowed with a dangerous glint.
"Reasons?" he repeated mockingly.
His fingers suddenly brushed against her cheek, the touch featherlight but sending a shiver down her spine.
"You think your reasons justify betraying me?" he asked softly, almost dangerously.
Her eyes widened, and she quickly pulled back, her chair scraping slightly against the floor.
"I didn't betray you!" she snapped, her voice cracking.
For a brief second, something flickered in Adrian's eyes—hurt, maybe—but it was gone just as quickly, replaced by an icy calm.
"Oh?" He straightened, slipping his hands into his pockets.
"Then explain to me, Liana…" he said coldly, his gaze hardening,
"why the woman I trusted with everything—my secrets, my heart—vanished without a trace?"
Her chest tightened. Her lips parted, but no words came out. She couldn't explain.
Not now.
Not yet.
---
Flashback – Five Years Ago
Somewhere in London
A younger Liana sat on the balcony of a small apartment, the warm summer breeze brushing against her skin. She held a glass of wine, her eyes fixed on the city lights, but her mind was far away.
Behind her, Adrian emerged from the apartment, his hair slightly tousled, wearing nothing but a pair of loose sweatpants. His bare chest still glistened slightly from the shower.
He leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a lazy, affectionate smile.
"Are you going to ignore me all night?" he teased.
Liana turned to him, her lips curving into a soft smile.
"I'm not ignoring you," she murmured.
Her eyes softened as he walked over and knelt in front of her.
"Then what's bothering you?" he asked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
His touch was gentle, reverent.
"Tell me, Liana. You know I'll always protect you."
Her heart clenched at his words. She stared into his eyes—the same hazel eyes she had once trusted with her entire soul. But back then, she didn't know that she would soon be forced to destroy them both.
---
Present – Adrian's Office
Liana's eyes stung with the memory, her fingers curling into the edge of the chair. She forced herself to push the painful thoughts aside and focus on the man in front of her—the man she once loved and the man who now seemed determined to destroy her.
"You'll get nothing from me, Adrian," she said, her voice barely above a whisper but firm.
Her eyes, once filled with vulnerability, hardened with defiance.
A slow, wicked smirk tugged at Adrian's lips. He stepped even closer, leaning down until their faces were mere inches apart. His breath was warm against her skin, his gaze dark and unyielding.
"Oh, Liana," he whispered with mock pity.
"You really think you have a choice?"
His hand suddenly shot out, gripping the armrest of her chair, caging her in.
Her breath hitched. She could feel the heat of his body so close to hers, his proximity making her pulse race.
"You owe me," he murmured darkly, his voice low and menacing.
"And I always collect my debts."
Her eyes widened slightly, but before she could speak, his phone buzzed.
He pulled back, his eyes still locked onto hers as he answered the call.
"What?" he snapped coldly.
Liana exhaled shakily, her fingers gripping the edge of the chair, trying to steady her breath.
Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly at whatever the person on the other end was saying.
"Fine. I'll handle it," he muttered and ended the call.
Without a word, he turned his back to her and walked over to the window, his shoulders tense.
"You can leave now," he said flatly, without turning around.
Liana stared at his back, her chest tightening with confusion. She could still feel the imprint of his touch against her skin, the heat of his breath lingering.
Her legs felt heavy as she rose from the chair.
She took a shaky step toward the door, but before she could leave, his voice cut through the room like a blade.
"Liana," he called out softly, almost too softly.
She froze.
"This is only the beginning," he warned, his voice low but dripping with menace.
"You can run, but you'll never escape me again."
Her breath caught in her throat. She quickly turned and walked out of the office, her heart slamming against her chest.
As the elevator doors closed behind her, she let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding.
But deep down, she knew…
There was no escaping Adrian Knight.
Not this time.
---
See you in next chapter