The office was empty except for the dim glow of Adrian’s desk lamp. Isabella sat across from him, shoulders tense, fingers fidgeting with a pen. The silence between them was thick—laden with unspoken words, lingering desire, and the weight of secrets waiting to surface. Adrian leaned back, watching her with cautious intensity. “You’ve been holding something back,” he said quietly, voice low, inviting but firm. “I can see it, Isabella. You don’t have to face it alone.” She swallowed hard, eyes flicking to his. “It’s… not easy to talk about,” she admitted, her voice trembling despite her usual composure. “I’m… I’m not proud of it.” “Whatever it is,” he murmured, leaning forward, hands clasped on the desk. “It doesn’t change how I feel about you. I just need to know… because keeping it in

