Chapter 23: The Truth That Shattered Her
Morning arrived quietly, but the air inside the house felt heavy.
Lina woke slowly.
She felt warm.
Safe.
Her head rested against Adrian's chest again.
His arm wrapped around her waist protectively.
For a moment, she didn't move.
She simply listened to his heartbeat.
Strong.
Steady.
Her lips curved slightly.
She didn't know when things changed…
But being in his arms felt natural now.
Comfortable.
Like she belonged there.
Suddenly—
Adrian stirred slightly.
His grip tightened unconsciously.
Lina's heart skipped.
She tried to move carefully.
But Adrian opened his eyes.
They froze.
Their faces were very close.
Neither spoke.
Neither moved.
Then Adrian loosened his arm slowly.
"Morning…"
His voice was still husky with sleep.
"Morning…"
Lina sat up quietly.
Her cheeks flushed.
"I'll make breakfast."
She left the room quickly.
Adrian watched her leave.
His chest felt strangely empty again.
He frowned slightly.
He was getting used to her presence.
Too used to it.
—
Downstairs…
Lina prepared breakfast.
But her mind was restless.
The break-in last night still haunted her.
She kept glancing toward the door.
Mrs. Blake entered the kitchen.
"You didn't sleep well?"
Lina forced a small smile.
"I'm okay."
Mrs. Blake patted her shoulder gently.
"Don't worry. Adrian won't let anything happen."
Lina nodded softly.
She knew that.
And strangely—
That thought comforted her.
—
Adrian came downstairs.
His gaze immediately found Lina.
She looked tired.
His expression softened slightly.
They sat quietly for breakfast.
But suddenly—
The doorbell rang.
Lina froze slightly.
Her fingers tightened.
Adrian noticed.
"I'll get it."
He walked toward the door.
When he opened it—
He froze.
Sophia stood there.
Her expression calm.
But her eyes sharp.
"Good morning."
Adrian frowned slightly.
"You're here early."
Sophia smiled faintly.
"I came to talk."
Lina walked over.
"Good morning."
Sophia looked at her.
Her smile remained gentle.
But something cold flashed in her eyes.
"Morning."
Adrian stepped aside.
Sophia entered the house.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
They sat in the living room.
Sophia looked at Lina.
"I brought something."
She placed an envelope on the table.
Lina frowned slightly.
"What is it?"
Sophia looked at Adrian.
"You should see this."
Adrian picked up the envelope.
He opened it slowly.
Inside—
Photographs.
His expression froze.
Lina looked nervous.
"What is it?"
Adrian remained silent.
Sophia leaned back slightly.
"Show her."
Adrian hesitated.
But Lina reached for the photos.
Her hands trembled slightly.
She looked down.
Her eyes widened.
It was Adrian.
And Sophia.
They were close.
Very close.
Hugging.
Laughing.
Holding hands.
Another photo—
Sophia leaning against Adrian's shoulder.
Another—
Adrian kissing her forehead.
Lina's fingers trembled.
Her chest tightened painfully.
"Sophia…"
Sophia spoke calmly.
"We were together for three years."
Lina froze.
Her heart dropped.
Sophia continued softly.
"He promised to marry me."
Lina's breathing became uneven.
She looked at Adrian.
"Is… that true?"
Adrian remained silent.
Because he didn't remember.
But the photos…
Looked real.
His silence hurt more.
Lina's eyes slowly filled with pain.
Sophia spoke again.
"The accident happened… when we were planning our engagement."
The room fell silent.
Lina felt her chest tighten.
Her hands trembled.
"So…"
Her voice was barely audible.
"You… love her?"
Adrian frowned.
"I don't remember."
But Lina felt hurt anyway.
Because he didn't deny it.
Sophia leaned forward slightly.
"I understand your situation."
Her voice sounded gentle.
"But… I think you deserve to know."
Lina felt tears forming in her eyes.
Sophia continued quietly.
"Adrian didn't want this marriage."
Lina froze.
Her heart shattered slightly.
"He only married you because of pressure."
Lina looked down.
Her fingers tightened.
Adrian frowned.
"That's enough."
Sophia looked at him calmly.
"I'm telling the truth."
The tension in the room thickened.
Lina stood up slowly.
"I… I need some air."
She walked outside quietly.
Her chest felt heavy.
Her heart hurt.
She didn't know why.
But hearing those words…
Felt unbearable.
—
Outside…
Lina stood in the garden.
Her eyes filled with tears.
So…
He loved someone else.
He promised someone else.
And she…
Was just an unwanted marriage.
Her chest tightened painfully.
She tried to breathe slowly.
But the pain remained.
Moments later—
Adrian came outside.
"Lina."
She wiped her tears quickly.
"I'm okay."
But her voice trembled.
Adrian stepped closer.
"I don't remember any of that."
She nodded quietly.
"I know."
But it still hurt.
"Does it bother you?"
He asked softly.
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Yes."
Her honesty surprised him.
She looked down.
"I thought… maybe…"
She stopped.
Adrian waited.
But she didn't continue.
Instead—
She forced a smile.
"It's nothing."
Adrian frowned.
He didn't like seeing her like that.
Quiet.
Sad.
He gently held her wrist.
"It doesn't matter."
She looked up.
"What?"
"My past."
His voice was calm.
"What matters… is now."
Her heart skipped.
"You don't even remember…"
He stepped closer.
"But I know how I feel."
Her breathing stopped.
"And right now…"
He paused.
His voice lowered.
"I don't want you to be hurt."
Her eyes softened.
But before she could respond—
Sophia appeared behind them.
"Adrian."
They turned.
Sophia's expression remained calm.
"I should leave."
She looked at Lina.
"I'm sorry if I hurt you."
But her eyes showed no apology.
She walked away quietly.
—
Inside the house…
Lina felt silent.
Her mind still replayed the photos.
Adrian noticed.
He stayed close to her.
But she seemed distant.
Quiet.
Sad.
He didn't like that.
Not at all.
That night—
Lina prepared to sleep.
But she didn't go to Adrian's room.
She stayed in her own.
Adrian noticed.
His chest tightened.
He knocked softly.
"Lina."
She opened the door.
"Yes?"
"Are you… not staying tonight?"
She hesitated.
"I think… I should sleep alone."
Adrian frowned.
He didn't like it.
But he nodded slowly.
"Okay."
She closed the door.
Adrian stood outside silently.
For the first time in days—
The distance returned.
And he didn't like it.
Because Sophia's truth…
Had created a crack between them.
And neither of them knew—
That this crack…
Would soon grow deeper.