MasukThe road became narrower as Adrian drove deeper into the countryside.Tall trees surrounded them on both sides.There were no houses.No stores.No people.Only darkness and the sound of rain hitting the windshield.Amara stared at the address on her phone.Amara: "Are you sure this is the place?"Adrian: "Yes."Amara: "How do you know?"Adrian kept his eyes on the road.Adrian: "My father brought me here once."Amara turned toward him.Amara: "When you were a child?"Adrian: "Yes."Amara: "Do you remember what happened?"He shook his head.Adrian: "Not everything."Amara: "What do you remember?"Adrian's hands tightened around the steering wheel.Adrian: "A house."He swallowed.Adrian: "A woman crying."Amara frowned.Amara: "A woman?"Adrian: "And my father telling me to stay inside the car."Amara: "Did he tell you why?"Adrian: "No."He glanced at her.Adrian: "I remember being scared."Amara reached for his hand.Amara: "You're not alone anymore."Adrian squeezed her fingers.Ad
The bedroom lights went out.Amara froze.Her heart slammed against her chest.The room was completely dark.She couldn't see the figure behind her anymore.Amara: "Who's there?"No answer.She reached for her phone.The screen lit up her face.Nothing.The person was gone.Amara quickly turned on the flashlight and searched the room.Her curtains moved beside the open window.Her closet door was slightly open.She slowly walked toward it.Amara: "Is someone there?"Silence.She grabbed the handle.Then—Her phone rang.Amara jumped.The caller was Adrian.She answered immediately.Amara: "Adrian!"Adrian: "Amara, what's wrong?"Amara: "Someone was in my room."His voice became serious.Adrian: "Are you alone?"Amara: "I think so."Adrian: "Lock your door."She did.Adrian: "Don't open it for anyone."Amara: "I'm scared."There was a pause.Adrian: "I'm coming."Amara: "Adrian, don't."Adrian: "Why?"Amara: "If someone is watching me, they'll be watching you too."Adrian: "I don't car
The message stayed on Amara's phone long after midnight.STAY AWAY FROM ADRIAN HAYES.She read it again.Then another message appeared.YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOUR FATHER IS CAPABLE OF.Amara stared at the screen.Someone knew about Adrian.Someone knew about her father.And somehow, that person knew enough to frighten her.She locked her phone and placed it beside her pillow.Sleep was impossible.Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Adrian's face.The way he smiled at her.The way he held her hand.The way he looked at her as if she were more important than all the money in the world.She touched the silver bracelet he had given her.Amara: "I'm not leaving you."The next morning, Amara went downstairs.Vincent was already sitting at the dining table.Vincent: "Good morning."Amara: "Is it?"Vincent lowered his newspaper.Vincent: "What happened?"Amara: "I received a strange message last night."His expression changed.Vincent: "What message?"Amara watched him carefully.Amara:
The next morning, Amara woke up with a strange feeling in her chest.She reached for her phone.No message.She waited.Five minutes.Then ten.Still nothing from Adrian.She frowned.This was unusual.Every morning, he sent her a message.Sometimes it was only a simple greeting.Sometimes he teased her.Sometimes he reminded her to eat breakfast.But today, there was nothing.Amara stared at her phone.Amara: "Maybe he's busy."She placed the phone beside her.Three seconds later, she picked it up again.Nothing.She sighed and got out of bed.At breakfast, Vincent was already waiting.Vincent: "You look distracted."Amara took her seat.Amara: "I'm tired."Vincent: "You're always tired lately."Amara: "Maybe because you keep giving me reasons to be."Vincent lowered his newspaper.Vincent: "I heard you went out again yesterday."Amara's heart tightened.Amara: "So?"Vincent: "With Adrian."She didn't answer.Vincent: "I warned you."Amara: "And I heard you."Vincent: "Then why are y
Amara woke up before sunrise.She reached for her phone immediately.There was one message waiting.Adrian: Good morning, Princess. Don't tell me you're sleeping in.Amara smiled.She typed quickly.Amara: I'm already awake.A second later, his reply appeared.Adrian: Prove it.She laughed quietly.Amara: Meet me at the park.Adrian: Five minutes.Amara shook her head.Amara: You live twenty minutes away.Adrian: Then I'll be there in twenty.She got dressed quickly and left the mansion before anyone could stop her.When she reached the park, Adrian was already waiting.He stood beside an old motorcycle, wearing a black shirt and jeans.Amara walked toward him.Adrian: "You're late."Amara looked at her watch.Amara: "I'm early."Adrian: "Not according to me."Amara: "You're impossible."Adrian: "And yet you came."She smiled.They began walking.For the next hour, they talked about everything.Adrian told her about his childhood.Amara told him about school.He made fun of her expens
The sun had barely risen when Amara and Adrian finished their run.Amara leaned against a tree, trying to catch her breath.Amara: "I hate you."Adrian laughed.Adrian: "You said that yesterday."Amara: "And I meant it both times."Adrian: "Then why did you come back?"Amara looked at him.She didn't have an answer.She could have said she wanted exercise.She could have said she enjoyed the fresh air.But the truth was much simpler.She wanted to see him.Amara looked away.Amara: "Maybe I like suffering."Adrian smiled.Adrian: "That's one explanation."They continued walking toward the small shop.The morning air was cool, and the streets were almost empty.For once, Amara wasn't thinking about her father's expectations.She wasn't thinking about Nathaniel.She wasn't thinking about the life waiting for her at home.She was simply walking beside Adrian.And she liked it.When they reached the shop, Adrian opened the door.Adrian: "Coffee?"Amara: "Always."He prepared two cups whil







