Chapter 180

Adrien’s POV:

I nodded remembering every single word which Noah had written in his journal about the man who had been threatening him.

His shoulders shook violently as sobs burst out of him like waves. I pulled him into my arms, holding him as tightly as I could without hurting him. He cried into my chest, tears soaking my shirt, hands clutching at me like I was the only thing keeping him grounded.

“I didn’t want to die, Adrien,” he choked. “I didn’t. But when I saw that diamond… it all came rushing back. Noah’s smile. His voice. The way he told me not to trust everyone so blindly. And Bernard... he has always been next to us. Always. I thought he was loyal. I thought he was good. I never suspected.. never in a million years--”

I stroked his back, while my own throat tightened.

“I feel so stupid,” he sobbed. “He was there, Adrien. He served us tea. He knew our secrets. He helped plan Noah’s speeches. He… he held my hand when Noah’s body was brought in.”

I closed my eyes, my jaw c