The night felt heavier than usual.
After the man in the car disappeared, Lina and Adrian walked back toward the mansion in silence.
The cold wind brushed against Lina's face, but the chill she felt had nothing to do with the weather.
It was the tension.
The danger.
And the strange feeling growing between her and Adrian.
When they stepped inside, Adrian immediately locked the door and activated the security system.
"You shouldn't have followed me outside," he said firmly.
Lina crossed her arms.
"And let you deal with everything alone?"
Adrian looked at her.
For a moment, something softened in his expression.
"I'm used to it," he replied.
"Well, I'm not," Lina said.
She walked past him into the living room, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside her chest.
Everything about this life felt overwhelming.
The threats.
The attention.
The constant feeling of being watched.
She turned toward Adrian again.
"How long has your life been like this?"
Adrian leaned against the wall, his posture relaxed but his eyes alert.
"A long time."
"That's not an answer."
He exhaled slowly.
"My enemies are powerful people."
Lina frowned.
"So they send strangers to spy on me?"
"They send worse things than that."
Her stomach tightened.
"What do you mean?"
Adrian didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he walked toward the window and looked outside.
"I mean they won't stop."
The silence that followed felt heavy.
Lina suddenly realized something.
She had stepped into a world she barely understood.
And Adrian had been living in it for years.
The next morning started peacefully.
Too peacefully.
Lina decided to go out for a walk in the garden behind the mansion.
The sun was shining.
Birds chirped softly in the trees.
For the first time in days, she felt almost normal.
But the feeling didn't last long.
As she walked along the stone path, she heard footsteps behind her.
She turned quickly.
Nothing.
Just the wind moving the branches.
"Relax," she whispered to herself.
"You're imagining things."
She continued walking.
Then suddenly—
A hand grabbed her arm.
Lina gasped.
A man appeared from behind the trees.
His face was partially hidden under a dark cap.
"Stay quiet," he muttered.
Her heart started pounding wildly.
"Who are you?"
Instead of answering, the man tried to pull her toward the back gate.
Panic rushed through her body.
She struggled.
"Let go of me!"
But he tightened his grip.
"Stop fighting!"
Before Lina could scream again—
A deep voice echoed across the garden.
"Take one more step and you'll regret it."
Adrian.
The attacker froze.
Adrian stood a few meters away, his eyes dark and furious.
Lina had never seen him look like that before.
Pure rage.
"Let her go," Adrian said slowly.
The man hesitated.
Then he released Lina and tried to run.
Bad decision.
Adrian moved faster than Lina expected.
Within seconds, he caught the man and slammed him against the garden wall.
"Who sent you?" Adrian demanded.
The man stayed silent.
Adrian's grip tightened.
"I asked you a question."
"I don't know!" the man shouted.
"I was paid to scare her!"
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"By who?"
"I swear I don't know!"
Lina watched the scene with a racing heart.
She had never seen Adrian lose control before.
His calm mask had disappeared.
Now she was seeing the dangerous man everyone feared.
Finally, Adrian released the attacker.
"Get out," he said coldly.
The man didn't wait.
He ran through the gate and disappeared.
Lina walked slowly toward Adrian.
Her hands were still shaking.
"Are you okay?" he asked quietly.
She nodded.
"I think so."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Lina whispered:
"You looked like you were going to kill him."
Adrian didn't deny it.
"He touched you."
His voice was low.
Dangerous.
Lina felt a strange warmth spread through her chest.
"You were worried about me?"
Adrian looked at her.
His dark eyes softened slightly.
"Yes."
The simple word made her heart skip.
They returned inside the mansion together.
Adrian poured a glass of water and handed it to her.
"Drink."
Lina obeyed.
Her hands finally stopped shaking.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
Adrian sat across from her.
"You need more security."
"I already live in a fortress."
"That wasn't enough today."
She sighed.
"You're right."
Adrian leaned forward slightly.
"I won't let anyone hurt you."
The words felt heavy.
Serious.
Lina looked into his eyes.
"Why?"
The question slipped out before she could stop it.
Adrian stayed silent for a moment.
Then he answered.
"Because you're my wife."
"That's just the contract talking."
His gaze darkened.
"Maybe."
Lina felt the tension between them again.
Stronger than ever.
Her heart started beating faster.
"Adrian…"
"Yes?"
"What happens if this stops being just a contract?"
The question hung in the air.
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he stood up and walked toward her slowly.
When he stopped in front of her, the distance between them was almost nonexistent.
"You're asking dangerous questions," he said quietly.
Lina's breath caught.
"And if I want dangerous answers?"
Adrian's hand lifted slightly.
For a moment, Lina thought he might touch her.
But he stopped just before his fingers reached her face.
"If we cross that line," he said softly,
"there's no going back."
Lina swallowed.
Her heart was racing.
For a brief second, the world around them seemed to disappear.
Then Adrian stepped back.
The moment was broken.
"Get some rest," he said calmly.
"You've had enough excitement for one day."
Lina watched him leave the room.
Her chest still felt tight.
Because she realized something important.
This wasn't just a contract anymore.
Not for her.
And maybe…
Not for him either.