I was numb.
Numbness was all I could feel as I stared at the screen. I couldn't think anything, feel anything but watching the man I loved so much with another woman. In his arms. With her lips against his.
I didn't scream, I didn't cry, I didn't feel any anger. All I felt was a hole forming in my chest, a hollowness.
After staring at the photo for I didn't know how long, I silently shut the laptop and crawled up in my bed before closing my eyes.
"I hate you…" I heard myself murmuring before darkness consumed me.
***
Taking a deep breath, I pressed send.
The email was delivered.
My last email to him, my last words for him. My resignation letter.
I gulped, gritting my teeth to stop the tears that threatened to spill.
But I won't cry anymore, not for him. 
Shifting on my seat for the fourth time, I forced another bite of the meatloaf Tobias so insisted for me to try in this dine, his favorite usual place. The food was good, but I would've devoured them if the situation was different. But not now, not with him. Definitely not when his eyes wouldn't move from me for a moment and his mouth ran more for talking than eating. And trust me, I wasn't interested in his personal and business life at all, because that's what all he talked about. About his life and likes. When I informed him about my decision, he didn't waste a second before messaging me the time and place he wanted us to have the dinner. A dinner just as friends. That's what I told him right after he messaged me the details. Even if I was boiling with anger to show a particular person that I wasn't going to weep around if he left me, I wasn't foolish enough to lead Tobias on. I made my intentions clear to him.
Adrian's POV "What the hell! Put me down, Adrian!" she screamed, struggling over my shoulder. I could swear my ears were bleeding at her ferocious screech. "What are you doing?" "Taking you where you belong," I said, smacking the supple cheek of her butt. A gasp left her at my action. Her struggle ceased. And when I almost thought she would behave now, she started to fight again. I tightened my grip on her. "I'm not going anywhere with you, you prick! Let me go!" I pursed my lips, continuing approaching my car with long strides. Stubborn woman! Scream as much as you want, love. I'm not letting you go tonight. Tonight, you will be mine. Completely, forever. When I didn't put her on her feet, she tried punching my back with her tiny fists. Instead of feeling any hurt, I found
"What the hell are you…" Turning me around, he pinned me against the cold wall, held my hands captive in his above my head and smashed his mouth on mine. His hard frame pressed against mine with his rock hard desire burning the skin of my abdomen. A gasp slipped through my lips, letting him use the chance to thrust his tongue in my mouth. Shivers of ecstasy ran through my veins like a hot lava the moment his tongue touched mine, fighting it, dominating me. Taking one of my legs, he wrapped it around his hip and pulled me flush against him, devouring my mouth like his life depended on it. It emanated a moan out of me. Clutching his broad shoulders, I kissed him back with everything I had, pushing my hips against his. I didn't even realize when my hips started to grind against his until he let out a growl. Cupping the back of my thigh, he pressed me closer to him if that was even possible
Nine years. It has been nine years and those memories still give me tremors. As if I could still feel the torture, the pain on my skin. My own screams still echoed in my head.Closing my eyes, I tightened my arms around him.As if sensing the tension in my body, he drew slow soothing circles on my back with his hand. "It's okay if you don't want to tell me, love. There's no hurry. You can take your time."I let out a sigh and shook my head. "No. You've shared your secrets with me. Now it's my turn.""You don't have to.""But I want to. You have every right to know.""Are you sure, love? You can tell me later if you want," he asked, his tone was careful.I was touched by his gesture. I knew he was eager to know the secret behind my scar, but still, he was giving me a chance to back out. But I couldn't back out now. I had to tell him.
Sliding the glass door of the balcony open, I stepped out in the chilly evening air. Goosebumps crept up my arms as a gentle breeze kissed my skin.He stood there. While his fists were curled around the railings, his void eyes were set on the horizon painted in crimson with the setting sun. But I knew, the beauty of the evening was the last thing on his mind at that moment.Wrapping my arms around his torso from behind, I kissed his shoulder blade. A heavy breath left him, before his stance relaxed in my hold."She is gone?"I nodded against his back. "You okay?"He took my hand in his and kissed my palm. "Now that you're here, I will be."Moving in front of him, I snuggled his chest. His arms were quick to take me in their warmth."You shouldn't be out here. It's cold," he said, nuzzling my hair.
Russel Checknov was dead. One person fell off the list of our enemies. I should be happy about it. But I wasn't. Not with the feeling of dread that swirled in the pit of my stomach out of my baseless instincts about an unknown forthcoming hazard. I didn't know what it was. But I just couldn't shake off the feeling. Someone's life was at stake who was close to Jenna. There were two backstabbers in our home and gang. One of them was Robert, and the other one was still in the dark, roaming around us with a mask on their faces. And not to forget that even if Checknov was dead, Monet and Marcus were still alive. There were so many problems to solve. One of them was exposing Robert. But how could I when Robert saved Dad's life in Louisiana during their attack on Russel Checknov? How would anyone else believe my words if I myself was now suspecting my suspicion on
My heart raced down my ribcage as I shook my head.No, no, no! This isn't possible! He can't join hands with Monet against us. Anyone, but not him. Not my own brother.But my denial didn't live up to the truth before me for long as I listened to their conversation."No one saw you coming here, right?" Robert asked, casting a swift glance at the gate.Alex shook his head. "No. I was careful, don't worry.""Good," said Robert. "Here is the envelope. Everything that you need is inside it. Though I'm feeling bad for those people who are gonna die soon."Die? That meant It was indeed the same manilla envelope Jenna stole?No matter how much I didn't want to believe that my own brother would betray us, his family, he just broke my trust further when a tiny smirk tugged up at the corner of his mouth. His dark eyes were void of any emotions
I knew the voice.Zion.With panic settling in my mind, I let out a shaky breath through my lips. My hands slipped from the window sill as I slowly turned around.And there he was. Standing there with his hands in his pockets, he watched me with a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. A smirk that mocked me.A recognition flickered in my head.Dark unruly hair, dark soulless eyes.The man I met at the pizza shop, the day before Dad gave me permission to join the office.My eyes widened. So that tattooed man was him? Zion Monet? James Monet's son. And he was following me closely."You…" A whisper left my lips."Tsk, tsk! Didn't your father teach you not to sneak into the enemy's home, princess? It could be dangerous, you know? You can get killed," he said, menace drippi