Liana's Apartment – Early Morning
Liana slowly blinked awake, her eyes heavy and swollen from the restless night.
Her body was still curled against Lucas' chest, her fingers loosely tangled in the fabric of his hoodie.
For a moment, she lay still, her breathing soft and shallow, savoring the warmth of his arms around her.
The steady rise and fall of his chest was oddly comforting—
A fleeting illusion of safety.
But reality came crashing back far too quickly.
Her eyes snapped open fully as the events of the night slammed into her with brutal force.
Adrian.
His voice.
His touch.
The searing intensity in his eyes.
Her heart clenched painfully, and she instinctively pulled back.
Lucas stirred slightly, his arm tightening around her.
His voice was husky and low from sleep.
"Where are you going?"
Her eyes flickered toward his face.
His hair was slightly disheveled, and there were faint creases on his cheek from where he had been lying.
But his eyes—
They were already sharp and fully alert, watching her carefully.
She swallowed hard, slowly slipping out of his arms.
Her voice was soft and uneven.
"I just… need some air."
He sat up slightly, his brows drawing together in concern.
"Liana…"
But she was already on her feet, pulling her robe tighter around her.
Her fingers were slightly unsteady as she opened the balcony door and stepped outside.
---
Balcony – Liana's Apartment
The cold morning air bit at her skin, making her shiver slightly.
She wrapped her arms around herself, staring at the horizon as the faint glow of dawn began to break the darkness.
But no matter how much she tried to calm herself, she couldn't shake the weight in her chest.
The lingering ghost of Adrian's presence still clung to her skin.
Her hands slowly curled into fists.
Why?
Why was he back?
Why now?
After all these years—
After everything—
Why couldn't he just let her be?
Her lips parted slightly, her breath coming out in short, uneven bursts.
Her eyes burned slightly, but she quickly blinked back the tears.
She wouldn't fall apart.
Not again.
---
Inside the Apartment – Lucas' POV
Lucas stood by the balcony door, his eyes narrowed as he watched Liana's silhouette.
Her arms were wrapped around herself, her posture tense and rigid.
He could see the slight tremor in her fingers.
The faint rise and fall of her shoulders as she tried to control her breathing.
His jaw clenched.
His hands slowly curled into fists at his sides.
She was shutting him out again.
Just like she always did.
And it infuriated him.
Not because he felt rejected—
But because he could see her breaking, and she wouldn't let him help.
He scrubbed a hand down his face, his chest tightening painfully.
He hated this feeling.
This helplessness.
Without thinking, he pushed open the door and stepped outside.
---
Balcony – Liana & Lucas
Liana stiffened slightly when she felt Lucas' presence behind her.
But she didn't turn around.
He slowly walked over, closing the distance between them.
For a moment, he said nothing.
He just stood beside her, silently watching the sunrise.
And then, without warning, he slowly reached out—
His fingers brushing against hers.
Her hand was cold and trembling.
But she didn't pull away.
"You're freezing," he murmured softly.
She didn't respond.
Her eyes remained fixed on the horizon, refusing to meet his gaze.
But when he slowly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against his chest,
She didn't resist.
Her body slowly melted against his warmth, her eyes fluttering shut.
His voice was low and rough.
"You're shutting me out again."
Her breath caught slightly.
Her fingers curled around his wrists, holding on tightly.
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"I'm not."
But they both knew she was lying.
Lucas slowly pressed his lips against her temple, his breath warm against her skin.
"Liana…" he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
"You don't have to do this alone. Let me in."
Her throat tightened.
She squeezed her eyes shut, fighting against the burning in her chest.
Her voice was shaky.
"I'm trying, Lucas… but I can't."
He exhaled sharply, his arms tightening around her.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
They simply stood there, holding on to each other.
But deep down, Lucas knew.
No matter how tightly he held her, he was losing her.
Piece by piece.
And he was helpless to stop it.
---
Adrian's Penthouse – Same Morning
The sun was just beginning to rise when Adrian Knight stood by his floor-to-ceiling window, nursing a glass of whiskey.
The amber liquid caught the faint morning light, creating a golden hue.
But his eyes were cold.
Sharp.
Unyielding.
His knuckles were still slightly raw from where he had punched the wall the night before.
The skin was faintly bruised.
But he didn't care.
His mind was still replaying her face.
The way she had looked at him.
With fear.
With defiance.
A cruel smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
She was still as fiery as he remembered.
Still stubborn.
Still breathtakingly beautiful.
But it wasn't just her beauty that haunted him.
It was her betrayal.
His fingers slowly tightened around the glass, his knuckles turning white.
Five years.
He had waited five goddamn years.
Only to see her standing there—
In another man's arms.
His jaw clenched tightly, his eyes darkening.
He had been patient.
Far too patient.
But now…
Now he was done waiting.
He slowly turned away from the window, his movements calm and deliberate.
He walked over to his desk and picked up his phone.
His voice was low and cold when he spoke.
"Find out everything about Lucas Carter. Where he works. Where he lives. Who he's connected to. I want every detail."
There was a brief pause on the other end.
And then the voice responded.
"Understood, Mr. Knight."
Adrian slowly set the phone down, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the glass.
His eyes were sharp and lethal, gleaming with dark determination.
And when he smiled—
It was slow and cruel.
Because Liana Spencer was his.
And he wasn't going to let anyone—
Not even Lucas Carter—
Stand in his way.
---
See you in next chapter