The moment Alex left—
Something inside Adrian snapped.
A sharp crack echoed in the quiet office.
The glass in his hand shattered under the pressure of his grip, shards digging into his palm. The amber liquid spilled instantly, mixing with the fresh blood that seeped through the cuts.
It burned.
The alcohol stung against the open wounds.
But he didn't react.
Didn't flinch.
Didn't care.
His jaw clenched tightly, veins standing out against his temple and neck as Alex's words replayed again and again in his mind.
She's afraid .
Maybe you shouldn't scare her…
A dark expression crossed his face.
Without another second of hesitation, he pushed himself away from the desk.
And walked out.
His steps were heavy.
Purposeful.
Predatory.
Each stride filled with something raw… something barely contained.
He didn't slow down.
Didn't stop.
Not until he reached her door.
And then—
He pushed it open.
Hard.
The door slammed against the wall with a loud bang.
Inside—
She jumped off the bed in shock, her heart racing wildly at the sudden intrusion.
Her eyes widened the moment she saw him.
Standing there.
Breathing heavy.
And his hand—
Blood dripping down from his palm, trailing along his fingers before falling to the floor.
"W-what… happened to your hand, Mr. Adrian?"
Her voice trembled instantly.
Fear.
Concern.
Confusion.
All mixed together.
But he didn't answer.
Not a single word.
Instead, he stepped inside.
Slowly.
Then reached back—
And locked the door.
The click echoed louder than it should have.
Her breath hitched.
Her body reacted instinctively, taking a step back.
Something felt off.
Something about him.
His presence was heavier.
Darker.
More intense than before.
He closed the distance between them in a few steps.
Now standing inches away.
Towering over her smaller frame.
His gaze locked onto hers.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
"Are you just going to stand there and watch…"
His voice was low.
Husky.
Commanding.
"…or are you going to bandage my wound?"
Her mind went blank.
For a second, she couldn't even process his words.
Bandages?
Him?
Why here?
Why her?
She wasn't a doctor.
She didn't know what to do.
And more importantly—
Why did he come to her?
Her thoughts spiraled—
Until suddenly—
His hand shot forward.
Grabbing her wrist.
Yanking her closer.
A small scream escaped her lips as her body stumbled forward, colliding lightly against his chest.
Her breath stopped.
Her entire body stiffened instantly.
She didn't dare to move.
Didn't dare to breathe too loudly.
Her heart pounded violently in her chest as his presence surrounded her completely.
His grip was firm.
Not painful.
But impossible to ignore.
"So now…"
His voice dropped lower.
Almost a growl near her ear.
"…you're disobeying me?"
Her head shook quickly, panic flashing in her eyes.
"N-no…"
But the words barely came out.
Her throat felt dry.
Tight.
Her voice almost lost.
Adrian watched her reaction carefully.
And then—
A slow smirk spread across his lips.
Satisfied.
As if he already knew the outcome.
As if he had expected this.
He released her wrist.
Just like that.
Turning away from her as if nothing had happened.
He walked toward the wardrobe, opening it with ease before pulling out a first aid kit.
Her body remained frozen.
Exactly where he left her.
Her hands trembling slightly.
Her breathing uneven.
Her mind still trying to catch up with everything that just happened.
"Come here."
His voice cut through the silence again.
Calm.
But firm.
An order.
Not a request.
Her feet felt heavy.
But she moved.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Step by step toward him.
Because in this moment—
She understood one thing clearly.
There was no escaping him.
Not his presence.
Not his control.
And definitely not—
Whatever he had decided for her.