Chapter 7
786 Words
I noticed Adrian’s absence before anyone else did.
First, he stopped responding to my texts, calls,then he stopped showing up altogether. No quiet waiting in the garden, no accidental encounters in the halls, no late-night conversations that felt like we were saying more than we meant to. When we crossed paths, his eyes passed over me like I was already behind him, something he’d decided not to look back at.
It hurt more than I thought it would.
Every step he took away from me felt intentional. It felt like distance chosen on purpose.
I was in garden in the night when I heard a voice, Noah's voice.
“He’s pulling away because he got what he wanted,” he said gently as we sat beneath the old oak tree. “Men like him don’t stay when things get complicated.”
I wanted to argue. I really did. But pain dulls your instincts, and Noah knew how vulnerable I was at that moment.
“He told your father you were a mistake,” Noah added quietly. “That being with you wasn’t worth the trouble.”
My chest tightened. “That’s not true.” I said, ready to argue.
“I didn’t want to tell you,” he said, concern softening his eyes. “But I can’t stand watching you get hurt.”
So I believed him.
That night, I confronted Adrian.
He was near the driveway, phone in his hand, shoulders slumped. He looked exhausted—so exhausted it only made my anger sharper.
“Why are you avoiding me?” I demanded.
He sighed. “Because I’m done adding stress to your life.”
“That’s not your decision.” I said furiously
“I don’t want problems with your father again,” he said calmly. “And I don’t have the energy for another fight.”
The way he said it,the finality,cut deep.
“So that’s it?” I laughed, bitterness spilling out. “You make love with me, then disappear?”
His jaw tightened. “That’s not fair.”
“Oh, don’t,” I snapped. “You used me. Just like always do.You didn't come back for a gullible spoiled Daddy's princess like me,you came back business,for power. Was I all part of your plan?
He flinched.
“That’s what Noah told you?,” Adrian said, his voice flat.
“Don’t twist this.” I said, ready to explode
“I’m tired, Natalie,” he said, the control slipping at last.
“Tired of what exactly Adrian?!”
“Tired of proving myself to people who’ve already decided who I am.”
Something ugly rose in my chest–hurt transforming into something mean.
“Then leave,” I said. “Go back to wherever you came from. I was stupid to think you cared.”
That was when he broke.
“You wanna know something Nat?,I didn't come back just to prove myself to anyone,” Adrian said, his voice rough. “ I came back because I’ve loved you since we were kids. Through every fight. Every time you ran to the garden. I never stopped loving you.
The words hit hard, stealing my breath.
Before I could say anything, Noah stepped forward.
“That’s enough,” he said sharply. “Stop manipulating her.”
Adrian turned to him. “This doesn’t involve you.”
Noah shoved him.
Hard.
Adrian stumbled, then swung back, his fist catching Noah’s jaw with a sickening crack. Noah retaliated instantly, fury taking over, and suddenly they were colliding–raised voices, bloody fists, chaos unraveling in seconds.
“Stop!” I screamed.
They didn’t hear me the first time
I forced myself between them, hands shaking as I pushed Adrian back.
“Enough. Get away from him.”
Adrian stared at me, chest heaving, hurt and disbelief burning in his eyes.
“You’re choosing him?” he asked sharply.
I didn’t answer quickly enough.
Something in his expression shut down.
“You know what,” he said, stepping back. “I’m done with this, Natalie.”
Then he turned and walked away.
I stood there, frozen, as his footsteps faded into the night, my heart ached with every step he took farther from me.
Noah touched my arm. “You did the right thing.”
I looked at him then and I saw it.
The slight curve of his mouth. The satisfaction he didn’t hide fast enough.
A smirk.
A cold dread settled in my chest.
As I watched Adrian vanish into the shadows, one question kept spinning in my head drowning out the guilt and the ache of a broken heart.
And for the first time if I was ever being protected or played?
- Writer
