Chapter 21: The Name He Couldn't Forget
The room was quiet.
Lina stared at Adrian, her heart racing.
"You… remembered my name?"
Adrian's breathing was still uneven.
His head throbbed slightly, but the pain had already faded.
"I… heard myself calling you," he said slowly.
"Lina…"
Her eyes softened instantly.
Emotion filled her chest.
"You called me… before the accident?"
Adrian nodded slowly.
"I think… yes."
Lina felt her heart tremble.
That meant—
Even before losing his memory…
She mattered to him.
A lot.
She moved closer unconsciously.
"Do you remember anything else?"
Adrian closed his eyes briefly.
He tried to recall.
Rain.
A road.
Her voice.
Fear.
Then—
Nothing.
He opened his eyes again.
"No… just fragments."
Lina nodded gently.
"It's okay."
Her voice was soft.
"There's no rush."
Adrian looked at her.
She wasn't pushing him.
She wasn't forcing him.
She was simply… waiting.
His chest warmed.
He slowly pulled her closer.
Lina froze slightly.
But she didn't pull away.
Instead—
She leaned gently into him.
The silence between them felt warm.
Comfortable.
Safe.
—
Morning arrived quietly.
Lina woke up first.
She realized she was still in Adrian's arms.
Her cheeks warmed.
She carefully tried to move.
But Adrian tightened his arm unconsciously.
"Stay…"
His sleepy voice made her heart skip again.
She froze.
He slowly opened his eyes.
They looked at each other.
Too close.
Too intimate.
"Morning…"
"Morning…"
They both hesitated.
Then Lina sat up quickly.
"I'll make breakfast."
She hurried out of the room.
Adrian watched her leave.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
He didn't even realize it.
—
Downstairs…
Lina prepared breakfast.
Her mind replayed last night again.
Adrian remembering her name.
Calling her.
Her heart felt warm.
Mrs. Blake noticed her smile.
"Something good happened?"
Lina blushed.
"Maybe…"
Mrs. Blake smiled knowingly.
—
Adrian came downstairs.
His gaze immediately found Lina.
She looked peaceful.
He felt relaxed.
They sat for breakfast quietly.
Mrs. Blake spoke gently.
"You look better today."
Adrian nodded.
"I slept well."
Lina glanced at him briefly.
Their eyes met.
Both quickly looked away.
Mrs. Blake smiled faintly.
—
Suddenly—
Adrian's phone rang.
He answered.
"Yes."
His expression turned serious.
"Did you find it?"
Lina looked nervous.
Adrian listened silently.
Then—
His eyes darkened.
"Send it to me."
He ended the call.
"What happened?" Lina asked softly.
"They tracked the car."
Her heart skipped.
"Really?"
Adrian nodded.
"But… it's registered under a fake name."
Lina frowned.
"So… we still don't know?"
"Not yet."
But Adrian's expression remained cold.
Because he knew—
Someone was hiding carefully.
Someone smart.
Someone dangerous.
—
Upstairs…
Sophia received a message.
"They're getting close."
Her expression stiffened.
She clenched her phone.
This was bad.
Very bad.
She couldn't let Adrian find out.
Not yet.
Her lips pressed tightly.
She needed another plan.
Something bigger.
Something that would distract him.
Her eyes darkened.
"Lina…"
She whispered softly.
"You're becoming a problem."
—
Afternoon…
Lina sat in the garden.
She wanted fresh air.
Her mind felt heavy.
Adrian came outside.
"You're here."
She smiled softly.
"Yes."
He sat beside her.
Close.
Comfortable.
After a moment—
He spoke quietly.
"Are you still scared?"
She hesitated.
"A little."
He gently held her hand.
"I'll protect you."
Her heart warmed instantly.
She nodded.
"I know."
The wind blew softly.
The atmosphere felt peaceful.
Then suddenly—
Lina asked quietly.
"Adrian…"
"Yes?"
"If you recover your memory…"
He looked at her.
"Will you… push me away again?"
Her voice was soft.
Careful.
Adrian paused.
He didn't know the answer.
But—
His heart already knew.
He tightened his grip slightly.
"I don't think so."
Her heart skipped.
"Why?"
Adrian looked at her quietly.
"Because… even without memory…"
He paused.
Then spoke softly—
"I still choose you."
Lina froze.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Her heart pounded.
She didn't expect that.
Her cheeks flushed.
She looked down shyly.
Adrian watched her.
His expression softened.
—
Inside the house…
Sophia watched from the window.
Her eyes darkened.
She saw everything.
Their closeness.
Their smiles.
Her fingers tightened.
No.
This couldn't continue.
She grabbed her phone.
She dialed a number.
"Do it tonight."
Her voice was cold.
Because she wasn't going to wait anymore.
—
Evening arrived quietly.
Lina prepared dinner.
Adrian stayed nearby.
He didn't want her alone.
They worked together quietly.
Their hands occasionally brushed.
Each time—
Their hearts skipped slightly.
Dinner felt warm.
Peaceful.
For a moment—
Everything seemed normal.
But outside—
Someone was watching.
A black car parked near the gate.
A man inside spoke quietly.
"Target confirmed."
Inside…
Lina suddenly felt uneasy.
She looked outside.
"Something feels strange…"
Adrian frowned.
He followed her gaze.
Then—
The lights suddenly went out.
The house went dark.
Lina gasped softly.
"Adrian…"
He immediately moved closer.
"I'm here."
Then—
A loud sound echoed outside.
Glass shattered.
Lina froze.
Her heart pounded.
Adrian's expression turned cold.
Someone…
Had entered the house.
And this time—
It wasn't just a warning.
It was an attack.