Chapter 3
1277 Words
Adrien stood outside Camille’s building for a long moment, letting the cold night air clear his thoughts. The place was quiet. Too quiet for the chaos he felt inside.
He wasn’t used to waiting.
Or doubting.
Or wanting anything this badly.
He adjusted his coat and walked toward the entrance, each step sharper than the last.
But just before he reached the door, it creaked open and an elderly woman carrying groceries stepped out. She glanced at him, startled by the intensity of his stare.
“Bonsoir,” she muttered suspiciously.
Adrien nodded politely. “Bonsoir.”
She hurried past him, whispering something about “rich men and trouble,” but he barely noticed. His mind was fixed on the small apartment he knew was hers.
He lifted a hand to knock.
Stopped.
His fingers hovered inches from the door.
Should he do this now?
He exhaled deeply, fighting the storm inside him. He didn’t want to scare her. He didn’t want to push her away. But he needed answers… closure… something.
He turned his hand into a fist.
And knocked once.
A quiet, steady knock.
The kind that said he wasn’t leaving.
Inside the apartment, Camille shot upright in bed, heart pounding. She didn’t hear wrong. Someone was at her door.
No one visited her at this hour.
No one visited her at all.
Fear crawled up her spine.
The bar manager?
Elise again?
Or - -
No.
It couldn’t be him.
Not tonight.
Not here.
She wrapped her blanket around herself and approached the door on shaky feet.
“Who is it?” she whispered.
Silence.
Her chest tightened. She reached for the door slowly, barely breathing. Her fingers trembled as she opened it just a crack-
And her heart stopped.
He was standing there.
Adrien Leclerc.
The man from tonight.
The man from two months ago.
The man she was trying so hard to forget.
His gaze swept over her face with a sharp, consuming intensity, like he was memorizing every breath she took.
“Camille,” he said softly. “Open the door.”
Her throat dried. “What are you doing here?”
“I needed to see you.”
“I didn’t come to you,” she whispered. “It was a mistake. I was scared. I left. That should be the end of it.”
He stepped closer, but not enough to push her back. Just enough to let her feel the warmth of his presence.
“You didn’t leave because it meant nothing,” he said in a low voice. “You left because you were afraid of what it meant.”
Her breath wavered. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know enough,” he countered. “And I know you’re lying to both of us.”
Camille’s pulse raced. His confidence shook her in ways she didn’t want to admit.
She tried to close the door.
Adrien gently placed a hand on it, not forceful, just steady enough to stop her.
“I’m not here to hurt you,” he said. “I just want to talk.”
“You already said more than enough upstairs.”
“Not even close,” he murmured.
Camille’s fingers tightened on the edge of the door. She didn’t know if she should let him in or run again. Her head throbbed with confusion.
Then a sudden wave of dizziness hit her.
She staggered slightly.
Adrien’s eyes sharpened. “You’re pale.”
“I’m fine,” she said quickly, gripping the doorframe.
“You’re not.”
“I just need rest.”
He scanned her face. Her trembling. Her unsteady breathing. The slight hand she pressed to her stomach without even noticing.
Something inside him shifted.
“This isn’t about tonight,” he said quietly. “It’s about before.”
Her heart froze.
“Before?” she whispered.
“Yes,” he said. “You remember it, don’t you?”
Her breath hitched.
The memories she’d pushed away came rushing back, the soft terrace lights, the warmth of his hand, the way he looked at her like she mattered… the yes she whispered more than once.
She swallowed hard.
She hated that he was right.
Her silence told him everything.
Adrien stepped closer, lowering his voice.
“That night wasn’t an accident for me.”
Her eyes stung. She didn’t know why.
“I don’t know what it was for you,” he continued. “But you didn’t run away that time.”
Camille’s hand trembled against her stomach. She tried to breathe, but the air felt heavy.
“I-I don’t want to talk about that,” she whispered.
“I think you have to,” he replied softly.
Her stomach twisted again; another wave of nausea she’d been ignoring for days. She pressed her lips together, hoping he didn’t notice.
He noticed everything.
“You’re not well,” he said.
“I’m just tired.”
“That’s not tiredness.”
She shook her head, stepping back.
“I need you to leave.”
“I’m not leaving.”
Her frustration flared. “You can’t just walk into my life and demand answers. You don’t even know me!”
“No,” he said calmly. “But I know what happened between us.” He paused, eyes narrowing slightly. “And I know you’re hiding something.”
Her breath caught.
Panic stabbed her chest.
“What could I possibly be hiding?” she whispered.
Adrien stepped forward, voice dropping to a quiet intensity that shook her.
“Camille… are you sick? Hurt? Or - -”
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
She backed away quickly, shaking her head.
“No,” she whispered. “Don’t say it.”
“I need to know.”
“Please don’t.”
Her face paled again.
Adrien’s expression changed instantly.
Concern replaced confusion.
Fear replaced anger.
He moved toward her slowly.
“Camille… what’s wrong?”
She pressed a shaking hand to her forehead.
Her vision blurred.
“I don’t know,” she whispered. “I’m just… tired. And dizzy. And - -”
Her words cut off when a sharp cramp twisted deep in her stomach. She winced, grabbing the edge of the counter for balance.
Adrien caught her arm before she collapsed.
“Camille!”
His grip steadied her as she swayed.
Her breaths turned shallow.
Her skin felt cold.
“I told you you’re not fine,” he murmured, voice tight with worry. “You need a doctor.”
“No,” she whispered, shaking her head weakly. “No hospitals.”
“Camille.”
“Please,” she begged, her voice cracking. “Just… don’t make me go.”
He studied her pale face, her trembling hand, her fear.
Then he inhaled slowly.
“Fine,” he said. “But tomorrow, you’re seeing someone. I’m not letting this continue.”
“You can’t force me.”
“I won’t,” he said quietly. “But I’m not walking away either.”
Her heartbeat stumbled.
Why did that sound like a promise she could get lost in?
She tried to pull her arm back, but he didn’t let go. Not tightly, just… firmly. Like he was grounding her.
“Sit,” he murmured.
She obeyed before she realized she had.
He knelt in front of her, still holding her arm, eyes locked on hers.
“Camille,” he said slowly. “Tell me what you feel. Everything.”
She opened her mouth - but the dizziness surged again.
Her vision dimmed.
And the last thing she saw was Adrien’s eyes widening in panic as her body slumped forward.
- Writer
