All Chapters of A Story That Doesn’t Belong To You: Chapter 161 - Chapter 170

The cafe was warm, the kind of cozy that softened the edges of a restless mind. Soft jazz trickled from speakers overhead, mingling with the faint hum of conversation and the clinking of cups. Adrien had chosen the corner booth deliberately a place where Ryan could lean back against the wall safe out of the way, with only one side exposed Old habits. Paranoia, some would say But Adrien had learned the hard way that comfort came second to safety.Ryan however looked blissfully unaware of such calculations. His smile came easy tugging dimples into his cheeks as he stirred sugar into his coffee. Steam curled upward catching the sunlight that slanted through the café window painting his features gold. For Adrien it was a sight almost too fragile for this world something that could break if he let go for even a second.“You’re staring again,” Ryan teased eyes glinting as he lifted his cup.Adrien didn’t even bother to deny it. “Maybe I like what I see.”Ryan rolled his eyes but the flush t

Adrien left the building with his pulse still pounding in his ears The wind outside cut cold against his skin but it did nothing to cool the heat burning in his chest His father hadn’t confessed hadn’t admitted a thing but that smirk that cruel amusement at Ryan’s expense was enough It wasn’t proof in Ryan’s eyes but for Adrien it was all he needed.By the time he returned to the apartment dusk had begun to settle. He unlocked the door quietly stepping inside Ryan was at the table sketchbook open pencil moving in quick, distracted strokes. He looked up when Adrien entered searching his face instantly like he could sense the storm still roiling under his skin.“You went to him,” Ryan guessed his voice a soft accusation.Adrien dropped his coat on the arm of the couch and sank into the chair opposite him. “I had to.”Ryan’s lips pressed into a thin line. “And?Adrien hesitated, then met Ryan’s gaze head on. “He didn’t admit it But he didn’t deny it either. He practically dared me to sto

The air was sharp with tension the hum of the car’s engine a low growl in the dark. The figure stepped fully into the glow of the streetlight hands raised.“Easy,” the man said. His voice was steady but cold, practiced. “I’m not here to hurt anyone.”Adrien didn’t lower the gun. “Then stop following him.”The man’s eyes flicked from Adrien to Ryan and back. “You really think you can protect him?Ryan’s heart slammed against his ribs The stranger wore a suit expensive, neat but his posture was military, disciplined There was something familiar about him something in the set of his jaw.Adrien’s grip on the gun tightened. “Who sent you?The man smiled faintly. “Same man who signs your inheritance papers.”Ryan’s stomach dropped.Adrien’s expression shifted from suspicion to cold fury “You work for him?“I did,” the man said calmly He wanted me to deliver a message But you’ve already ignored them haven’t you?Adrien’s hand trembled slightly though he fought to hide it. “Say it.”The man

The morning after Adrien’s release felt unnaturally still Ryan stood by the kitchen counter, coffee gone cold between his hands. The apartment smelled faintly of rain and damp clothes, reminders of the night before. Adrien hadn’t come home until late or rather early morning his hair wet, his eyes hollow. He hadn’t said much. Just walked past Ryan, peeled off his soaked shirt and sat by the window until dawn like a man staring down a war only he could see.Now, the silence between them was heavy, filled with words Ryan didn’t know how to speak.He glanced toward the living room.m Adrien was there, shirtless still scrolling through his phone news headlines, no doubt. The glow of the screen painted hard light across his face.Ryan hesitated, then spoke softly. “They’re saying a lot of things everywhere .”Adrien’s thumb stilled. “That I’m dangerous?Ryan swallowed. “That you were arrested They don’t know what for But… the comments”“I don’t care what they think.” Adrien’s tone was clipp

The sun had long dipped below the skyline by the time Ryan finished cleaning up. The apartment felt soft again the kind of quiet that used to scare him, but now it felt like breathing. The city outside was a smear of lights through the windows, amber and blue, while faint jazz murmured from Adrien’s old speaker.He was cooking this time Adrien insisted on it. “If you want me to heal you’ll let me make something edible.”Ryan leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching him chop vegetables. “You sure the world’s ready for your culinary skills?Adrien glanced up, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “I’ll have you know, I survived on my own before you.”“On takeout,” Ryan said dryly.Adrien chuckled and the sound light and unguarded, made Ryan’s chest ache in the best way. There was a steadiness in Adrien’s movements now that hadn’t been there before less tension, more rhythm. The bruises on his wrists no longer looked like restraints but reminders of everything he’d survived.When