Mia woke up slowly, wrapped in warmth.
For a brief moment, she didn't remember where she was. Then she felt it—the steady rise and fall of a chest beneath her cheek, the strong arm resting protectively around her waist.
Adrian.
The realization sent a quiet shiver through her.
She lifted her head slightly and studied his face while he slept. In the early morning light, he looked softer. Less guarded. Less dangerous.
Almost... normal.
And that terrified her.
She shifted carefully, not wanting to wake him, but his arm tightened around her instinctively.
"You're awake," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.
Mia froze. "Did I wake you?"
He smiled faintly, eyes still closed. "I felt you move."
She relaxed a little. "I should go," she said softly.
Adrian opened his eyes then, his gaze immediately finding hers.
"Why?" he asked.
Mia swallowed. "Because staying feels too easy."
Adrian was quiet for a moment.
"Easy doesn't mean wrong," he said.
Mia sat up, pulling the blanket around herself. "It does for me."
Adrian sat up as well, resting his elbows on his knees. "Tell me why."
Mia hesitated. This was the moment she usually avoided—the moment where things got real.
"Every time I let someone get close," she said slowly, "I lose myself. I forget who I am."
Adrian turned to her fully. "And who are you?"
Mia looked down. "Someone who's tired of being hurt."
Adrian reached for her hand, gentle, careful. "Then don't lose yourself. Let me meet you where you are."
She looked at him, really looked at him.
"You say the right things," she whispered.
"I mean them," he replied.
Their eyes locked, the air between them heavy with unspoken emotion. Adrian leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her temple—slow, unhurried, intimate.
Mia closed her eyes.
And for a moment, she let herself believe him.
⸻
The Warning
Later that morning, Mia stood by the window of Adrian's apartment, watching the city come alive below. Cars moved like ants, people rushing through their lives, unaware of the storm quietly forming around her.
Adrian was on the phone behind her, his voice low and tense.
"No," he said sharply. "I told you to keep her out of this."
Mia stiffened.
She didn't turn around.
"I don't care what you think," Adrian continued. "If anything happens to her, it's on you."
There was a pause.
Then Adrian exhaled slowly. "I understand."
He ended the call.
Mia turned to face him. "That didn't sound good."
Adrian hesitated. "You weren't supposed to hear that."
"But I did," she said firmly. "So tell me the truth."
Adrian ran a hand through his hair, frustration flashing across his face.
"Elise is pushing," he admitted. "She wants control. And she doesn't like that you exist."
Mia folded her arms. "Why?"
Adrian met her gaze. "Because you're the one thing she can't control."
A chill ran through her.
"What does she want from you?" Mia asked.
Adrian's jaw tightened. "To remind me of who I used to be."
"And who was that?" Mia pressed.
He looked away. "Someone I'm not proud of."
Mia stepped closer. "Adrian, I can't keep walking blind into this."
He nodded slowly. "I know."
Silence fell between them.
Then he said quietly, "If you want to walk away, I won't stop you."
Mia's heart twisted.
That was the moment.
The moment she could choose safety.
Normalcy.
Freedom.
She took a deep breath.
"I don't want to walk away," she said. "I just don't want to be lied to."
Adrian looked at her, something unreadable in his eyes.
"Then stay," he said. "And I'll tell you everything—soon."
Mia nodded. "Soon better come fast."
⸻
The Encounter
That afternoon, Mia left Adrian's apartment alone.
He insisted on driving her home, but she refused.
"I need to feel like I still control something," she said.
Adrian didn't argue.
But as Mia walked down the street near her apartment, she felt it again.
That sensation.
Being watched.
She slowed her steps.
So did the sound behind her.
Her heart started to race.
"Mia Hart."
The voice was smooth. Female.
Mia turned.
Elise stood a few feet away, sunglasses hiding her eyes, a calm smile on her lips.
"You shouldn't follow me," Mia said, forcing confidence she didn't feel.
Elise laughed softly. "I'm not following you. I'm warning you."
Mia crossed her arms. "About what?"
Elise stepped closer. "Adrian destroys everything he loves."
Mia held her ground. "You don't know me."
Elise tilted her head. "That's what makes you dangerous."
Mia's heart pounded. "If you have something to say, say it."
Elise leaned in, lowering her voice. "He will choose you. And when he does, everything he's built will burn."
Mia swallowed. "Why do you care?"
Elise smiled—sadly this time. "Because I was you once."
Before Mia could respond, Elise stepped back.
"Walk away while you still can," she said. "Love doesn't survive his world."
Then she turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Mia stood frozen, her chest tight.
Was Elise lying?
Or was she trying to save her?
⸻
That Night
Mia lay awake in her bed, Elise's words echoing in her mind.
He destroys everything he loves.
Her phone buzzed.
Adrian:
Did you get home safe?
She stared at the screen.
Then typed back.
Mia:
We need to talk. Tomorrow.
The reply came instantly.
Adrian:
I'll be there.
Mia set the phone down and closed her eyes.
She knew what was coming.
Truth.
Choices.
And consequences.
But one thing was certain now—
She was already in too deep.