Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 81 - Chapitre 90

Nicole's POV Hospitals have a smell that never leaves you.I sat beside Adrian’s bed, my fingers wrapped tightly around his, afraid that if I let go, even for a second, something irreversible would happen. Machines beeped softly around us.Adrian lay there, pale but breathing.Thankfully he was alive.I watched his chest rise and fall, counting each breath.My mind couldn't stop replaying it, the gunshot, the chaos.The way he didn’t hesitate, not even a fraction of a second before stepping in front of me.One moment, he was talking. The next, his body slammed into mine, his arms wrapping around me as the sound exploded through the room. I remember shouting his name. I remember the warmth of blood. I remember screaming, even though I didn’t recognize my own voice.I slowly shook my head.Everyone thought I was shaken because of the attack. Because of Adrian.Yes, I was but no one knew the real reason my hands wouldn’t stop trembling.I had seen him, Frank.Even in the chaos, even w

The moment Marianna stepped closer, her carefully controlled smile carried a sharp edge. “I just don’t understand, Adrian,” she said, voice dripping with false concern. “Nicole, she could have checked on her own boyfriend tonight, after all that happened. Yet she chose to stay here… by your side.” I stiffened slightly. My eyes widened, the accusation stinging. I opened my mouth to speak, but Marianna’s gaze was piercing, almost daring me to respond. Adrian’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing in warning. “Mother,” he said slowly, his voice firm, low enough to rattle, “that’s none of your business.” Marianna tilted her head, feigning surprise. “None of my business? Are you saying that her loyalty to you, her concern, is alright?” “She made her choice,” Adrian said, leaning forward slightly, his voice rising with anger. “And that choice doesn’t need your approval. Nicole stayed here because I needed her, not because of anything else. Understand that.” I felt a wave of relief at

Adrian’s eyes shifted past my shoulder. Slowly, I turned. Ethan stood by the half-open door. One hand rested casually on the doorframe, his expression unreadable, though the faint lift of his eyebrow suggested he had seen more than enough. My face was drained of color. “Oh—” I immediately stepped back from Adrian, creating distance that hadn’t existed a moment ago. My heart was pounding again, but for an entirely different reason. Ethan pushed the door open a little wider and stepped inside. “Well,” he said dryly, glancing between us. “I see Adrian is recovering faster than the doctors predicted.” I felt heat rush to my cheeks. “That’s not— we weren’t—” My attempt at explaining completely fell apart halfway through. Adrian, however, looked far less bothered. He leaned back slightly against the pillows, his gaze steady. “You should knock,” Adrian interrupted calmly. Ethan let out a quiet chuckle. “The door was open.” I suddenly wished that the floor would open and swal

Adrian’s POVThe hospital room was quiet again.The steady beep… beep… beep from the monitor beside my bed filled the silence while I stared at the ceiling, replaying everything that had happened at the party.The gunshot.The commotion.The way everything had fallen apart within seconds.None of it felt random.My thoughts were suddenly interrupted.The door opened.I didn’t bother turning my head.“Don’t tell me you’re here to check my pulse,” I muttered.Ethan stepped inside, closing the door behind him.“I would,” he replied dryly, “but it seems you’re busy surviving without help.”I glanced at him.He dragged a chair closer and sat down beside the bed.“Where's Nicole?” He inquired.“Why are you asking about her?” I scoffed.“No reason, I'm just asking, I don't intend on taking her away from you.” He let out his annoying smirk.“Don't ask.” I told him.Then he nodded toward my bandage.“How bad?”I followed his eyesight.“I’ll live.”“That’s unfortunate,” he said flatly.I huffed

Nicole’s POV The school hallways were buzzing with students rushing to their classes, laughter and chatter bouncing off the walls, but I felt… completely on edge. Every footstep I took seemed louder than it should, every glance from a passing classmate made me flinch slightly.I was heading toward the library, clutching my books tightly, trying to focus on something, anything other than Frank. And then I saw him.Frank.He was leaning casually against the wall near the library entrance, his signature grin playing on his lips. My stomach twisted. I froze for just a moment, heart hammering, but I forced myself to relax. “Act neutral, stay calm and pretend. That was the key.” I whispered silently to myself.“Nicole,” he called, voice smooth and casual. “Hey, mind if I walk with you for a bit?”I swallowed, keeping my expression steady. “Oh… hi, Frank. Sure. I’m just heading to the library.”He straightened and fell into step beside me, effortlessly matching my pace. The grin on hi