Chapter 16: The Night He Couldn't Let Go
The evening grew quiet.
Lina was still asleep on Adrian's shoulder.
Her breathing was soft and steady.
Adrian didn't move.
Not even slightly.
He was afraid that if he moved, she would wake up.
And for some reason…
He didn't want that moment to end.
The TV continued playing softly, but Adrian wasn't watching.
His eyes remained on Lina's sleeping face.
She looked peaceful.
Comfortable.
Safe.
And something inside his chest tightened again.
Why…
Did he feel like this?
He didn't understand.
But he knew one thing.
He didn't want to push her away.
Not anymore.
Suddenly—
Lina shifted slightly.
Her hand instinctively grabbed his shirt.
Adrian froze.
Her fingers curled tightly, as if afraid he would disappear.
His heart skipped.
Without thinking, he gently covered her hand with his own.
"It's okay…" he whispered softly.
Even though she couldn't hear him.
A few minutes later—
Mrs. Blake walked downstairs.
She stopped when she saw them.
Her eyes softened.
She smiled quietly.
She didn't disturb them.
Instead, she walked back upstairs silently.
Because she knew—
This moment mattered.
—
After a while…
Lina slowly opened her eyes.
She blinked.
Then froze.
She was still leaning on Adrian.
Her hand was gripping his shirt.
Her face flushed instantly.
"I… I fell asleep…"
Adrian nodded calmly.
"Yes."
Lina quickly sat up.
"I'm sorry."
Adrian shook his head.
"It's fine."
But he didn't mention that he didn't move at all.
Lina looked slightly embarrassed.
"I'll prepare dinner."
She stood up quickly and walked toward the kitchen.
Adrian watched her leave.
Then he looked down at his shirt.
Her hand had wrinkled the fabric slightly.
But he didn't smooth it.
Instead—
He touched that spot gently.
His expression softened slightly.
—
Later that night…
They sat at the dining table.
Dinner was quiet.
But comfortable.
Lina occasionally glanced at Adrian.
She felt shy.
She remembered falling asleep on him.
Her heart still felt warm.
After dinner—
Lina began cleaning.
Adrian suddenly spoke.
"I'll help."
Lina blinked.
"You don't have to."
Adrian stood up anyway.
He took the plates.
Lina looked surprised.
"You never did this before."
Adrian paused slightly.
"I didn't?"
She shook her head.
"No."
Adrian frowned slightly.
Something about that bothered him.
Why hadn't he helped her before?
Why did that feel… wrong?
They cleaned together quietly.
Their hands occasionally brushed.
Each time—
Lina's heart jumped.
Adrian also noticed.
But he didn't pull away.
Instead…
He stayed close.
—
Later…
The house grew quiet again.
Lina prepared to go upstairs.
But suddenly—
Thunder rumbled loudly.
She froze.
Her shoulders stiffened slightly.
Adrian noticed.
"You're afraid?"
She hesitated.
"A little."
Another thunder struck.
Lina flinched slightly.
Adrian stood up.
"Come."
She looked at him.
"Where?"
"My room."
Her heart skipped.
"Why?"
Adrian spoke calmly.
"You slept better yesterday."
Her face flushed.
But she didn't refuse.
She nodded quietly.
They walked upstairs together.
—
Inside Adrian's room…
The rain started again.
Thunder echoed through the night.
Lina sat on the edge of the bed.
She looked nervous.
Adrian noticed.
"Sleep."
She nodded.
They lay down again.
This time—
There was a small distance between them.
But when thunder struck again—
Lina instinctively moved closer.
Adrian didn't move away.
Instead—
He gently pulled her closer.
Lina froze.
Her heart raced.
"Adrian…"
"It's okay."
His voice was calm.
Gentle.
Lina slowly relaxed.
Her head rested near his chest.
She could hear his heartbeat.
Strong.
Steady.
Her breathing slowly calmed.
Adrian looked down at her.
His hand slowly moved to her back.
He held her gently.
Protectively.
Like he didn't want her to be afraid.
Or leave.
Time passed quietly.
Rain continued outside.
But inside—
It felt warm.
Safe.
Lina slowly fell asleep.
Again.
This time—
Her hand rested on his chest.
Adrian stayed awake.
He watched her quietly.
Then suddenly—
A faint headache struck him.
He frowned.
Images flashed briefly.
Rain.
A woman.
Holding someone.
Crying.
"Don't leave me…"
Adrian's head hurt more.
He clenched his jaw.
Then—
The pain disappeared.
He breathed slowly.
His gaze returned to Lina.
Was that…
A memory?
He didn't know.
But his grip on Lina tightened slightly.
As if afraid she would disappear.
—
Late night…
Sophia sat in her room.
Her expression was dark.
She couldn't sleep.
She kept remembering what she saw earlier.
Adrian holding Lina.
Watching her gently.
Her nails dug into her palm.
"No…"
She whispered softly.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
Adrian was supposed to push Lina away.
He was supposed to return to her.
But now—
Everything was changing.
Her phone buzzed.
She picked it up.
A message appeared.
Unknown Number:
"Everything is ready."
Sophia's lips slowly curved.
Good.
If emotions didn't work—
Then she would use something else.
Something stronger.
Something that would break Lina completely.
She typed back—
"Do it soon."
Her eyes turned cold.
Because she wasn't going to lose Adrian.
Not again.
—
Back in Adrian's room…
Lina stirred slightly.
She moved closer unconsciously.
Adrian looked down at her.
His expression softened.
Without realizing—
He whispered quietly—
"Don't leave me again…"
His voice was low.
Almost silent.
But his arms tightened slightly around her.
Because even without his memories—
His heart…
Was already choosing Lina again.