Lahat ng Kabanata ng A Story That Doesn’t Belong To You: Kabanata 121 - Kabanata 130

The sun rose quietly washing Adrien’s loft in pale gold For once the world felt still No shouts, no accusations, no looming deadlines or whispered judgments Just the hum of the city beneath them and the steady rhythm of Adrien’s breathing beside him. Ryan stretched slowly blinking against the soft light slipping past the curtains.It had been weeks since they’d last known a morning like this without an emergency call from Ella, without a family confrontation waiting without the crushing pressure of Adrien’s father’s games. He turned his head and found Adrien still half-asleep, his hair mussed his jaw slackened in rare vulnerability.Ryan smiled faintly. “You’re actually restingThat’s a miracle.”Adrien’s eyes flickered open at the sound of his voice. “Caught me,” he murmured voice thick with sleep. “But you’re awake Not fair.”Ryan reached out, brushing his fingers along Adrien’s cheek. “I like watching you when you’re not carrying the whole world on your shoulders.”Adrien caught hi

The night air pressed heavy against the windows a velvet blackness broken only by the muted glow of the city lights in the distance. Adrien lay on his back, staring at the ceiling of their bedroom one arm bent beneath his head. The silence between him and Ryan wasn’t hostile but thick weighted with things unsaid fears unspoken.Ryan turned his head on the pillow watching Adrien’s tense profile. His partner’s jaw was set, lips pulled tight, and even in the faint light Ryan could see the fatigue shadowing his eyes.“You’re thinking about him again,” Ryan whispered.Adrien’s gaze didn’t move from the ceiling. “I can’t help it. He’s been quiet for too long My father doesn’t know how to stay silent unless he’s planning something. It’s like ” His voice cracked slightly, and he let out a sharp exhale. “ like we’re just sitting here waiting for him to strike.Ryan shifted closer resting his palm over Adrien’s chest feeling the rapid thud of his heartbeat beneath. “You’ve stood up to him Adrie

Ryan rubbed his eyes as he closed his laptop the faint glow of his office screen casting one last reflection across the tidy desk. It was late later than he had planned, but the thought of dinner with Adrien was enough to keep him energized. He leaned back in his chair, staring briefly at his phone. A message lit up the lock screen.Adrien: Don’t be late I’ve been looking forward to this all day.Ryan’s lips curled into a small smile. Adrien’s texts always had that effect on him simple, to the point, but carrying the weight of something deeper. Ever since their relationship had finally solidified, Adrien had been more open, less guarded and Ryan could sense the relief beneath his words. Tonight was supposed to be special. Adrien had chosen the restaurant, one tucked away from the noise of the city, a place where they could breathe without judgment.Ryan grabbed his jacket and stepped out into the hallway. His coworkers had already left; the corridors were quiet, the hum of fluorescen

The silence in the hospital room carried a strange weight, heavier than any machine hum or footsteps in the hall. Adrien stood by the wall, half in shadow, his fists clenched at his sides. His chest felt hollow, raw, like someone had scooped out everything he was and left him standing there only to watchHe had thought the hardest moment would be waiting for Ryan to wake up. He was wrong The hardest moment was this watching Ryan’s eyes light up not for him, but for someone else.Daniel sat beside the bed now, leaning forward just enough to catch Ryan’s attention without seeming overbearing. His voice was soft, careful, threaded with the easy warmth of familiarity. “You remember our science teacher, Mrs. Carter? The one who hated us sitting together because we’d laugh too much in class?”Ryan chuckled faintly, though it came out more like a wince. The smile on his face still made Adrien’s throat tighten. “She threw that eraser at you once. Said you were the worst influence .”Daniel l

The hallway smelled faintly of disinfectant and burnt coffee. Chris had only just stepped out of Ryan’s room but the tension he carried was thick enough to choke on. He stopped near the vending machine, hands jammed into his jacket pockets, and tried to swallow down the storm that had been building inside him from the second Ryan’s blank stare met his.Daniel followed not long after, the door closing softly behind him. His expression was calm, composed in that way Chris had always hated like nothing could touch him, like he’d already measured the outcome of every conversation before it happened.“You didn’t waste time,” Chris said voice low, almost casual. But his jaw ticked. “Sitting right up next to him like that Like you’ve been waiting.”Daniel arched a brow, crossing his arms. “He remembered me. I didn’t force that What did you expect me to do? Pretend we weren’t close?”“You don’t have to pretend,” Chris snapped, turning to face him fully. “But you don’t have to hover either. H