LOGIN“Not yet,” Adrian replies. “She’s got a lot going on right now, but once things settle, I’ll tell her… I’m not about to let her slip through my fingers.”His words land heavier than they should. It’s just a simple confession, but it hits me like a two-edged blade, slicing somewhere in my heart.I do
NOAH.I’m sitting across from Adrian and Gunner, my mind still reeling from the hard truth they just hit me with.I can’t deny it. Back then, I would’ve shut down anyone who dared to speak against Chloe. I would’ve defended her without question. But now, after reading that entry, after the illusion
He studies me, waiting for the rest.“I kept my mouth shut because you were happy,” I continue. “And it wasn’t my place to blow up your marriage just because I thought she was two-faced.”His jaw tightens and silence settles over the table, but for once, Noah actually listens instead of snapping bac
ADRIAN.I walk into the private whiskey lounge after dropping Sierra at home, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still riding that high, especially when I remember her beautiful smile.This has been our favorite place for years. Inside, warm amber light washes over dark mahogany walls and deep leat
“Inhale through your nose,” she continues. “Slowly. Deeply. Let your ribs expand.”I breathe in.“For four… three… two… one. Hold. And release.”The room fills with the sound of synchronized exhaling and honestly, it’s strangely powerful.We move through gentle stretches, supported child’s pose with
Then I see it. A low, cream-colored building tucked into the greenery. Large windows. Wooden accents. A stone pathway leading up to double glass doors. There’s a small wooden sign near the entrance with delicate script burned into it.Willow Grove Prenatal Wellness.I blink at it.“Adrian…”He parks
The card is heavier than I expect when I pick it up, or maybe it’s just my overthinking brain. My fingers are trembling from a tremor that roots itself in the base of my skull and spreads out like a warning. I push the other cards aside with the heel of my palm as if I can shove the unease away.
I swallow hard, trying to force down the chaos twisting in my chest.“Just stay,” I murmur, the words rougher than I intend. “Okay?”She lets out a hollow, humorless laugh that slices straight through me. “Why should I, Noah?” Her voice shakes, but not from fear—from being done. “None of this is hea
I still can’t stop beating myself up for being so harsh towards her, even though I still can’t understand what is happening to me.Before I can think about it too much, I pull into the warehouse district, killing the headlights as I follow the pin location. Two large men stand by a metal door, and o
I remember the last time he gave me hope. It was after we joined Uni. Chloe had broken up with him for reasons known only to her. He’d shown up at my apartment one evening, looking like the world had broken him. I was so startled to see him there—Noah Woods, standing on my doorstep with red eyes and







