SERA
It had been three days since Adrik found out about the letters. Three days of him giving me half-hearted nods and distance.
He still spoke to me. Technically.
But every word was clipped. Every glance, cold. Like he was forcing himself to remain civil.
Like the quiet war inside him hadn’t yet decided whether to forgive me—or shut me out for good.
This morning, I caught him swimming laps in the rooftop pool. His strokes were sharp, methodical, and angry.
With each stroke, his muscles flexed and I couldn't help but admire him.
I padded in quietly, my robe wrapped tight around me. My fingers twisted the sash nervously as I stood at the edge of the water.
“Adrik?” I said gently.
He didn’t stop.
“Can we talk?”
He came up for air, pushing wet hair out of his face. “Oh wow. Some
