Chapter1
Chapter 1:The Intrusive Storm
Ariana’s POV
The moment I stepped into my living room, I knew something was wrong. The air was heavy, too still, too quiet. Then I saw him. Roy. He was sitting on the edge of the couch, elbows on his knees, like he owned the place. Like he still had a right to be here.
My stomach dropped. “Roy?” I whispered the name, catching in my throat like venom.
He turned gradually, fury lighting his eyes the moment they landed on me. “How dare you, b***h?” he growled venomously. I froze.
It had been two years. Two years since I’d walked out of our marriage. Two years since I’d stopped begging for love he never had to give. Yet the anger was still sharp enough to slice the air between us.
“I changed the locks,” I said quietly, trying to stay calm. “How did you get in?”
“You left the spare key at the old flowerpot,” he spat.“Still predictable.”
I swallowed hard. That flowerpot had been there since our wedding day. I should’ve crushed it the moment I changed my last name back.
“I didn’t come here to chit-chat,” Roy said, rising to his feet. “You think you can just move on? Like what we had meant nothing?”
“What we had,” I said, gripping my purse strap tightly, “was toxic. And it’s over.”
He took a step closer, eyes narrowing. “Over? I lost my job because of you. Lost my reputation. And now I hear you’ve been parading around with some garden boy like a goddamn teenager.”
My chest tightened. He must’ve seen me yesterday.
“It’s none of your business anymore, Roy.”
“You were my wife!” he said.
“And now I’m not,” I said.
That set him off.
“You think you can erase me?” he barked, stepping closer, his breath hot and wild. “You think you can just play house with some stranger and pretend you’re whole? “I winced when he spoke louder. “But before I could respond, ding-dong. The doorbell. Relief crashed through me like a wave, though my hands still quivered as I moved to open the door.
And there he was.
Adams.
His soft brown eyes immediately scanned my face, reading everything I couldn’t say. “Hey, beautiful,” he said, his voice a comforting balm. He held a bouquet of white lilies, unaware of the storm behind me.
Until he saw Roy.
Adam’s eyes sharpened. His smile faded.
“Is everything okay?” he asked, stepping closer, his voice suddenly firm. Protective.
I swallowed hard. “This is my ex-husband, Roy.”
Adams’s gaze didn’t waver. “I see.”
Roy scoffed. “Who the hell are you?”
Adams stepped into the room slowly, his presence calm but commanding. “I’m someone who cares about her.”
Roy sneered. “And she’s letting you play the hero?”
“I’m not playing anything.” Adams glanced at me, then turned to Roy with steady composure. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”
Roy stared at him. “Or what?”
Adams didn’t blink. “You don’t want to find out.”
For a moment, I thought Roy might swing.
But instead, he turned to me, eyes burning. “You always needed someone to save you. Pathetic.” Then to Adams: “She’ll chew you up, too. Just wait.”
He stormed out, slamming the door so hard it rattled the picture frames.
Silence settled. My breath hitched in my throat. I felt the tears rising—but they didn’t fall.
Adams set the flowers on the table and gently took my hand.
“You okay?” he asked softly.
I nodded, slowly. “I am now.”
He pulled me into a hug, warm, safe and strong. My heart pounded as I nuzzled his shoulder. I hadn’t realized how cold I’d been until I felt his warmth.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“I’m here for you,” he murmured. “Always.”
And as I stood wrapped in his arms, I realized something terrifying and beautiful all at once:
This wasn’t just comfort.
It was the beginning of something I wasn’t sure I was ready for—but couldn’t walk away from either.
