Chapter 25: Jealousy That Couldn't Be Hidden
The next morning arrived with a quiet tension.
Lina woke up early again.
Her sleep had been shallow, filled with restless thoughts.
She sat up slowly, brushing her hair back.
For a moment, she stared at the door.
She almost went to Adrian's room last night.
Almost.
But she stopped herself.
Her chest tightened slightly.
She shook her head.
She shouldn't depend on him too much.
Not when she didn't know where she truly stood in his heart.
—
Downstairs, the morning sunlight filtered softly through the windows.
Lina prepared breakfast quietly.
She tried to focus.
But her mind drifted again.
Daniel's warm smile.
Adrian's cold expression.
The tension between them.
Everything felt complicated.
Footsteps approached.
Adrian entered the kitchen.
He looked tired.
Like he hadn't slept well.
His eyes immediately found Lina.
She looked calm.
But distant again.
He didn't like it.
"Morning."
"Morning."
Their voices overlapped softly.
An awkward silence followed.
Adrian stepped closer.
"You woke up early again."
She nodded.
"I couldn't sleep much."
He frowned.
"Still thinking about yesterday?"
She hesitated.
Then nodded slightly.
Adrian leaned against the counter.
"You trust him?"
She looked at him.
"I don't know… but he feels familiar."
His jaw tightened.
Again.
That word.
Familiar.
It irritated him more than he expected.
Before he could speak—
The doorbell rang.
Both of them turned.
Lina walked to the door.
When she opened it—
She froze slightly.
Daniel stood there.
Holding a small paper bag.
"Good morning."
He smiled warmly.
"I brought breakfast."
Lina blinked.
"You didn't have to…"
He chuckled softly.
"I passed by and thought of you."
Adrian stepped forward.
His eyes turned cold instantly.
"You're here again."
Daniel looked at him politely.
"Just visiting a friend."
The tension in the air thickened.
Lina stepped aside.
"Come in."
Daniel entered.
Adrian watched quietly.
His expression unreadable.
But inside—
Jealousy burned slowly.
—
They sat in the living room.
Daniel handed Lina the bag.
"I remembered you liked strawberry pastries."
Lina's eyes widened slightly.
"Strawberry?"
He nodded.
"You used to love them."
She smiled softly.
"Thank you."
Adrian's gaze darkened.
He didn't like seeing her smile at another man.
Not at all.
He spoke calmly.
"You seem to remember her preferences well."
Daniel nodded.
"We've known each other for years."
Adrian crossed his arms.
"Interesting."
Lina sensed the tension again.
She changed the topic.
"Do you want coffee?"
Daniel smiled.
"Sure."
She walked toward the kitchen.
Adrian followed.
As soon as they were alone—
He spoke quietly.
"You seem comfortable with him."
She turned.
"He's just a friend."
Adrian stepped closer.
"You're smiling more today."
Her cheeks warmed slightly.
"You're imagining things."
Adrian leaned slightly closer.
"I'm not."
Their eyes met.
For a moment—
Silence.
Then Lina quickly turned away.
"I'll bring coffee."
—
When she returned—
Daniel and Adrian sat silently.
The atmosphere heavy.
Lina handed them coffee.
They talked briefly.
But Adrian barely spoke.
His gaze remained fixed on Daniel.
Like he was analyzing him.
Studying him.
—
After some time—
Daniel stood up.
"I should leave."
He looked at Lina.
"Let's meet again soon."
She nodded.
"Okay."
Adrian's expression tightened.
Daniel left.
The door closed.
Silence filled the house again.
Adrian looked at Lina.
"You're going to meet him again?"
She blinked.
"Maybe… he's my friend."
Adrian stepped closer.
"You trust him too easily."
She frowned slightly.
"Why are you acting like this?"
He paused.
Because he didn't know the answer himself.
Why did he care so much?
Why did he feel irritated?
Why did he feel…
Threatened?
"I just don't like him."
He said quietly.
She sighed softly.
"You don't like anyone close to me."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"That's not true."
She looked at him.
"Then why?"
He stepped closer.
Because I don't like seeing you with another man.
The words almost slipped out.
But he stopped himself.
Instead, he said—
"I'm worried."
Her expression softened slightly.
"I'll be careful."
But Adrian still felt uneasy.
—
That afternoon…
Lina went outside again.
She sat in the garden.
Her mind calmer today.
Moments later—
Daniel arrived again.
They talked.
Laughed softly.
Adrian watched from the window again.
His expression darker than before.
His fingers tightened.
He didn't like this feeling.
Not at all.
He grabbed his jacket.
Then walked outside.
"Lina."
She looked up.
"Adrian."
Daniel smiled politely.
"You came."
Adrian ignored him.
He looked at Lina.
"Come inside."
She blinked.
"Why?"
"It's getting cold."
She looked confused.
"It's not that cold."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"Come inside."
His tone firmer now.
Lina stood slowly.
"I'll see you later."
Daniel nodded.
"Sure."
She walked inside with Adrian.
As soon as they entered—
She turned to him.
"You're being strange."
He looked at her.
"You shouldn't spend too much time with him."
She frowned.
"Why?"
Because I don't like it.
He wanted to say.
But instead—
"I have a bad feeling."
She sighed softly.
"You're overthinking."
Adrian looked at her silently.
Maybe.
But his heart refused to calm down.
—
Meanwhile…
Sophia sat in her car again.
Watching everything.
Her lips curved slowly.
Jealousy.
Tension.
Distance.
Everything was unfolding perfectly.
She whispered softly—
"Now… it's time for the next step."
Because soon—
She would push Lina further away.
And once that happened—
Adrian would slowly return to her.
Or so she believed.
But she didn't realize—
Adrian's heart…
Was already changing.