Chapter 26: The Moment He Couldn't Control
The tension inside the house lingered long after Daniel left.
Lina stood near the window, watching the garden quietly.
Her thoughts were tangled.
Adrian's behavior today had been strange.
Possessive.
Cold.
Jealous…?
She shook her head.
No.
Why would he be jealous?
He didn't even remember loving her.
Behind her—
Adrian stood silently.
Watching her.
His gaze softened slightly.
She looked fragile.
Lost.
And somehow—
He didn't like seeing her confused.
He stepped closer.
"Lina."
She turned slowly.
"Yes?"
He hesitated for a moment.
Then spoke quietly.
"Are you… going to meet him again?"
She looked surprised.
"Daniel?"
He nodded.
She thought for a moment.
"Maybe."
Adrian's jaw tightened slightly.
"He seems important to you."
She nodded softly.
"He feels familiar."
That word again.
Familiar.
It irritated him more than it should.
He stepped closer.
"You're trusting him too much."
She frowned slightly.
"Why are you so concerned?"
He froze.
Because he didn't know how to answer.
Because the real reason—
Was something he didn't fully understand himself.
She looked at him carefully.
"You weren't like this before."
He frowned.
"Before?"
She nodded.
"You were distant… cold…"
Her voice softened.
"But now…"
She stopped.
Adrian looked at her.
"Now what?"
She looked away.
"You worry too much."
His chest tightened slightly.
He stepped closer again.
"Does it bother you?"
She shook her head.
"No…"
But her voice sounded uncertain.
Silence filled the room.
Their eyes met again.
And for a moment—
Everything felt quiet.
Slow.
Then—
The doorbell rang.
Lina blinked.
"I'll get it."
She walked toward the door.
When she opened it—
She froze.
Daniel stood there again.
Holding two cups of coffee.
"I thought you might like some."
Lina smiled slightly.
"Thank you."
Adrian's expression darkened instantly.
He walked closer.
"You're here again."
Daniel smiled calmly.
"Just visiting."
Lina stepped aside.
"Come in."
Daniel entered.
The tension returned immediately.
They sat together again.
Daniel handed Lina the coffee.
"I remembered you like caramel."
She smiled softly.
"Thank you."
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
He didn't like seeing her smile again.
Not at all.
Daniel spoke gently.
"I found something yesterday."
He handed her a small photo.
Lina looked down.
Her eyes widened.
It was her.
And Daniel.
They were smiling.
Standing close.
Her heart skipped.
"I… don't remember this."
Daniel smiled softly.
"We used to take photos often."
Lina stared at the photo.
Something flickered in her mind.
A faint memory.
Laughter.
Sunlight.
Warmth.
Her head suddenly hurt.
She winced slightly.
Adrian noticed immediately.
"Lina."
She pressed her temple.
"My head…"
Adrian moved closer quickly.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded slowly.
"It's just a little headache."
Daniel looked concerned.
"Maybe your memory is coming back."
Adrian's eyes darkened.
He didn't like that.
Not at all.
Because—
Her memories included another man.
That thought bothered him deeply.
Daniel stood up.
"I should go."
He looked at Lina.
"Rest well."
She nodded.
"Okay."
He left quietly.
The door closed.
Adrian turned to Lina.
"You should lie down."
She nodded.
He guided her to the sofa gently.
His touch soft.
Careful.
She looked at him.
"Thank you."
He didn't respond.
But his gaze softened.
She closed her eyes briefly.
The headache faded slowly.
But the faint memory lingered.
Warm.
Comforting.
Adrian watched her silently.
His chest tightened.
He didn't like that expression.
Because he didn't know—
If she was thinking about Daniel.
—
That evening…
Lina felt better.
She prepared dinner quietly.
Adrian stayed nearby.
Watching her.
She turned suddenly.
"Why are you staring?"
He didn't look away.
"I'm making sure you're okay."
Her cheeks warmed slightly.
"I'm fine."
He stepped closer.
"Are you thinking about him?"
She blinked.
"Who?"
"Daniel."
She hesitated.
"Maybe… a little."
His jaw tightened.
He stepped closer again.
Too close.
"Don't."
She looked confused.
"What?"
"Don't think about him."
Her heart skipped.
"Why?"
His voice lowered.
"I don't like it."
Her breathing slowed.
"Why don't you like it?"
He didn't answer.
Instead—
He grabbed her wrist gently.
She froze.
Their eyes locked.
His grip tightened slightly.
"I don't know…"
He whispered.
"But I don't like seeing you with him."
Her heart pounded.
Her cheeks flushed.
They stood very close now.
Too close.
Her breathing became uneven.
Adrian noticed.
His gaze dropped to her lips.
Her heart raced.
Then—
Without thinking—
He pulled her closer.
And kissed her.
Soft.
Sudden.
Warm.
Lina's eyes widened.
Her mind went blank.
She froze in his arms.
The kiss deepened slightly.
Gentle.
Careful.
Like he was afraid she would disappear.
Her fingers slowly gripped his shirt.
Her eyes slowly closed.
For a moment—
Everything else faded.
Only the warmth remained.
Then suddenly—
Adrian pulled back.
Both of them froze.
Their breathing uneven.
Their hearts racing.
Lina looked shocked.
Adrian looked confused.
He didn't plan that.
He didn't mean to…
But he didn't regret it either.
"Lina…"
His voice low.
She looked at him.
Her cheeks flushed deeply.
"I…"
She couldn't speak.
Her heart was racing too fast.
Adrian stepped closer again.
But she took a step back.
"I… I need some air."
She quickly walked away.
Leaving Adrian standing alone.
His fingers touched his lips slowly.
His heart still racing.
He whispered softly—
"What… did I just do?"
But deep inside—
He already knew.
He kissed her…
Because he wanted to.
Because he couldn't control himself anymore.
And upstairs—
Sophia stood frozen near the stairs.
She saw everything.
Her eyes darkened slowly.
Her hands clenched tightly.
Because things were no longer going according to her plan.
And that kiss…
Changed everything.