The rain hadn't stopped since evening.
Drops slid down the glass windows like slow tears, matching the ache in Maya's chest.
She walked through the silent streets, heels clicking softly against the wet pavement. Her dress was soaked, her eyes stung, and her heart — tired.
She didn't understand him anymore.
Adrian King — cold, unreadable, perfect in every way.
The man who once accused her, then protected her, who said she meant nothing but acted like she meant everything.
By the time she reached her apartment, the sky was a blur of storm and city lights. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, her breath trembling.
The moment she sank to the floor, tears escaped — quiet, helpless.
"Why do you keep doing this to me…" she whispered.
The words were meant for herself, but they carried his name in every syllable.Her thoughts played cruelly — his eyes when he looked at her, the way his voice softened whenever he said "Chef," the rare smile that she'd seen only once.
Every piece of him was a memory she didn't want, but couldn't erase.
---
Across the city, Adrian stood by his penthouse window, a glass of whiskey untouched on the table. The rain's reflection danced against his face — calm outside, chaos within.
He'd spent all day pretending nothing was wrong. Pretending her tears didn't follow him, pretending her silence didn't echo in his mind.
Alex entered quietly, holding some files. "You missed the call with Ryan again," he said.
Adrian didn't respond.
Alex sighed. "You like her, don't you?"
Adrian turned his head slightly, his jaw tightening. "I tried not to.""Maybe stop trying," Alex said simply.
Adrian's gaze fell back to the window, rain washing over the city like confession.
He whispered, almost to himself, "It's not that simple."
---
The clock ticked past midnight when Maya heard the knock.
Soft at first, then louder.
Her heart jumped — no one came to her door this late.
When she opened it, she froze.
Adrian stood there, drenched in rain, hair falling over his forehead, shirt clinging to his chest. His eyes met hers — raw, restless, searching.
"Adrian…" she breathed.
"You shouldn't be here."
"I know," he said softly. His voice was deep, almost breaking.
"I shouldn't be here. But I couldn't stay away anymore."
The way he said it — like a confession and apology tangled together — made her chest tightenYou need to leave," she whispered.
"Tell me you want me to," he said quietly. "Look me in the eye and tell me you don't care."
But she couldn't. Her lips trembled, her breath caught. The silence between them said everything she couldn't.
Adrian stepped forward, slow, uncertain, as if afraid she'd vanish if he moved too fast. He raised a hand, brushing a wet strand of hair from her cheek.
His touch was careful, almost trembling.
"I've hurt people before, Maya," he said. "It's what I do best. But with you…"
He stopped, his voice breaking just slightly.
"With you, I don't know how to walk away."
Her eyes glistened. "Then why do you keep pretending you don't care?"
"Because caring makes you weak," he said bitterly. "At least that's what I thought. Until tonight."
Thunder rolled outside, soft and distant, like the sky itself had gone quiet to listen.He cupped her face, gently, giving her every chance to pull away.
But she didn't.
For a long second, they just stood there — forehead to forehead, rain whispering against the glass behind them, their hearts beating in the same rhythm.
"Adrian…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
"Don't say anything," he murmured. His thumb brushed her cheek, his breath warm against her lips. "Just… stay."
And for the first time, she didn't fight it.
Didn't hide, didn't run.
She just stayed.
The storm outside slowly faded, but inside, something else began — quiet, fragile, real.