CHAPTER 10

The penthouse was too quiet. That was the first thing I noticed after Maya left. No traffic rushing beneath my window. No neighbors arguing through thin walls. No footsteps in the hallway. Just silence.

I stood in the middle of Adrian's living room, staring at the city beyond the glass.

"You hate it."

I turned. Adrian stood a few feet behind me, his tie loosened, his sleeves rolled to his elbows.

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."

I smiled faintly. "Do you always read people this easily?"

"Not people." He walked toward me. "Just you."

My heart gave an uncomfortable little flutter. I looked away.

"You've had a difficult day."

"So have you."

"Mine doesn't matter."

I frowned. "That's not true."

"It is." He stopped beside me. "For years, I've watched you put everyone else's problems before your own."

I looked at him. "For years?"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he glanced toward the kitchen. "You haven't eaten."

I blinked. "How do you know?"

"You get quiet when you're hungry."

I stared at him. "That doesn't make sense."

"It does." He walked into the kitchen. "You also rub your thumb against your palm when you're anxious."

I instinctively stopped moving my thumb. His mouth twitched. "Exactly."

"You've been watching me."

"Yes." There was no embarrassment in his answer. No attempt to deny it. Something about that honesty made my chest tighten.

Adrian opened the refrigerator. "You don't like sparkling water."

I frowned. "What?"

"You pretend you do when you're at corporate dinners because you don't want people asking what you want." He reached inside and pulled out a bottle of still water. "You prefer this."

I took it from him slowly. "How do you know that?"

"I know a lot of things."

"That sounds slightly terrifying."

"It probably should."

I laughed. It was quiet, but real. For the first time all day, I wasn't thinking about the board. Or Liam. Or the photograph. Or my pregnancy. I was just standing in a kitchen with Adrian Vance while he remembered things about me I'd never realized anyone noticed.

We ate dinner at the island. Nothing fancy. Just food he'd somehow arranged to have delivered. I noticed he didn't touch his phone once.

"You should probably check your messages."

"I've checked enough messages today."

"Your company needs you."

"Tonight, you need me more."

My fork stopped halfway to my mouth. He said it so simply. Like it wasn't something that could make my entire chest ache.

After dinner, I went to the bedroom I'd been given. My bags were already there. Everything had been arranged neatly. Too neatly. I stood beside the bed, suddenly overwhelmed.

"This is a lot."

Adrian leaned against the doorway. "I know."

"I don't know what we're doing."

"Neither do I."

I looked at him. That answer surprised me. "You don't?"

"No." He came closer. "But I know what I want."

My heartbeat picked up. "What?"

"You to feel safe."

The words were so gentle that they hurt. I sat on the edge of the bed.

"I haven't felt safe in a long time."

He crouched in front of me. "You will."

I looked into his eyes. There was no arrogance there. No CEO. Just Adrian. The man who had stood between me and Liam. The man who had chosen me when choosing me had cost him everything.

"I don't understand you," I whispered.

"You don't have to."

His hand moved toward mine, stopping before touching me. He waited. I closed the distance myself. Our fingers intertwined. For a while, neither of us spoke.

Then Adrian lifted my hand and pressed a soft kiss against my knuckles. My eyes stung unexpectedly.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You're crying."

I quickly wiped my cheek. "I've had a long day."

"I know."

He stood and sat beside me. I rested my head against his shoulder. He didn't move. He simply stayed there. Warm. Steady. Safe.

Eventually, I whispered, "Why me?"

His answer came without hesitation. "Because you are you."

I closed my eyes. For once, I didn't question whether I deserved something good. I just let myself have the moment.

Until my phone buzzed. I lifted my head. The screen showed an unfamiliar number. A message. My stomach tightened. I opened it. For several seconds, I couldn't understand what I was reading. Then the words became clear.

*Liam has hired a lawyer.*

My blood ran cold. Another message appeared.

*He's filing for paternity rights before the baby is born.*

I stopped breathing. Adrian noticed my expression immediately.

"What happened?"

I couldn't answer. My fingers tightened around the phone. Then I looked at him.

"It's Liam."

Adrian's face hardened. "What did he do?"

I swallowed. "He's fighting for the baby."

The room suddenly felt much colder. And this time, Liam wasn't threatening me. He was coming for my child.