BETWEEN HIS SHEETS

CHAPTER 9: TOO LATÉ

Adrian hadn’t planned it this way.

Desperation rarely plans—it reacts.

He saw the post late at night, scrolling aimlessly, pretending he wasn’t thinking about her.

A new book coming soon.

Between His Sheets.

By Carolyne Syombua.

His chest tightened.

He read the caption twice, then a third time. The words were calm. Confident. Not angry. Not bitter. Just… finished.

So this was what she’d been doing with her silence.

Building something.

Turning moments into meaning.

For the first time, Adrian felt like a spectator in her life.

He messaged her immediately.

Adrian: I didn’t know you were writing a book.

Adrian: That’s impressive.

Adrian: I want to support you. I’ll buy copies. As many as you want.

Carina read the messages the next morning, sunlight spilling across her bed. She felt a flicker of something—recognition, maybe nostalgia—but it passed quickly.

She typed slowly.

Carina: Thank you.

Carina: But support isn’t something you offer when it’s convenient.

There was a long pause.

Adrian: I’m trying, Carina.

Adrian: I didn’t realize how much you mattered until you pulled away.

Adrian: Let me show you now.

She closed her eyes.

This was the version of him she used to wait for—the one who arrived only when he felt he was losing something.

She replied, gently but firmly.

Carina: You didn’t miss me when I was available.

Carina: You miss me now because I’m no longer accessible.

Another pause. Longer this time.

Adrian: I can change.

Adrian: I’ll show up. I’ll do better.

Adrian: Let me start by supporting your book.

Carina smiled sadly.

Carina: My book isn’t something to buy your way back into my life.

Carina: It’s proof that I found my voice without you.

That was the message that ended it.

She didn’t block him.

She didn’t argue.

She simply chose not to continue.

Later that evening, she walked the nature trail again. Malik was there, as promised, hands in his pockets, eyes warm when he saw her.

“You look lighter,” he said.

“I am,” she replied.

They walked in comfortable silence, leaves crunching softly beneath their feet.

Adrian sat alone in his apartment that same night, staring at the screen where her last message lived—realizing too late that some things can’t be bought, reclaimed, or rushed.

Meanwhile, Carina walked forward—

with her story,

with her peace,

with a future that no longer waited for permission.

And for the first time, the past stayed exactly where it belonged—

behind her.