Chapter 11
Adrian's POV
I stared at the screen.
Ava: Why did you answer my message that night?
It was a simple question.
One that should've had a simple answer.
Instead, I found myself staring at the blinking cursor, the rhythmic pulse of it mocking me, wondering how much truth a stranger could actually handle.
How much honesty the world had trained them to expect from me.
My fingers hovered over the glass.
I typed a reply.
Deleted it.
Started again.
Deleted that one too.
Eventually, I gave up trying to make it sound perfect.
Perfection was for boardrooms and public statements.
This... this was something else.
Me: I almost didn't.
The message delivered.
A small, digital confirmation that felt heavier than it should.
A few seconds later...
Ava: Really?
My thumb brushed
