جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 5

Old Wounds, New ScarsElena POVI escaped the ballroom the first chance I got. The laughter inside had become suffocating, each cheerful voice pressing against the fragile wall of composure I had spent years building. Smiles were easy to fake for strangers even for family, but pretending my heart hadn't nearly stopped the moment I saw Adrian Kane again? That required a strength I wasn't sure I still possessed.The cool night air greeted me like an old friend.I stepped onto the stone terrace and drew a slow, deliberate breath, hoping it would steady the storm raging inside me.Beyond the terrace stretched the estate's gardens, illuminated by lanterns that cast pools of golden light along winding pathways.White roses climbed elegant arches, and a marble fountain stood at the centre, its gentle trickle the only sound that seemed untouched by celebration.Sophia had always loved this place.When they were children, she used to tell me that one day she would get married somewhere that l

The Confession 2Adrian watched her in silence, the words "Protect me"? hanging between them like an unanswered prayer.Elena's fingers tightened around the strap of her clutch. Part of her wanted to demand an explanation. The wiser part, the part that had painstakingly rebuilt her life after he left warned her not to believe anything he said."You expect me to believe that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper."No," Adrian admitted. "Not yet."The honesty in his answer caught her off guard."I don't expect you to believe me because I say the words. I expect you to judge me by what I do from this moment forward."She folded her arms across her chest again, using the gesture like armour."You've had years to do something.""I know.""There it is again." Her eyes flashed with frustration. "You keep saying you know, but you don't.""I don't know everything you went through," he said quietly. "I only know I caused it."For a moment, neither of them spoke.The fountain continued