Chapter 126.

Adrian held the bedroom door open.

Emilia walked through first.

He waited until she had stepped inside before following her, quietly closing the door behind them.

The soft click of the latch seemed unusually loud in the quiet room.

Emilia didn’t notice.

She walked toward the couch and dropped her little purse beside her. Then she sat down and leaned forward, reaching for the laces of her sneakers.

Adrian remained standing near the door.

He didn’t move.

His eyes stayed on her. There was something about watching Emilia in his home that still felt strange to him.

She had spent the day with him.

She had met Sophie.

She had sat beside him through a visit that he had been dreading for days.

And somehow, she had made the entire thing feel less unbearable.

Emilia tugged at one of her shoelaces.

She struggled with the knot for a moment before finally loosening it.

Adrian’s gaze softened.

He still didn’t know what to say to her. He had spent most of the drive back trying to find the right words.

None had come.

Emilia slipped one sneaker off. When she finally looked up, Adrian was still standing there.

She raised an eyebrow. "What?"

He exhaled. "I don’t know what to say to you."

Emilia’s expression changed. "What?"

Adrian walked toward her. "I don’t know how to appreciate you for coming with me to see Sophie."

His voice became quieter. "It’s..." He stopped. His jaw shifted slightly. "It was..." He shook his head. "I don’t know."

Emilia smiled. "You don’t have to say anything."

"I do." He stopped in front of her. Then he bent down until they were at eye level.

Emilia looked at him curiously.

Adrian reached for her remaining sneaker.

"Adrian—"

He gently slipped it from her foot.

Emilia watched him with an amused smile. "You know I can take off my own shoes."

"I know."

He placed the sneaker beside the other one, then he looked back at her.

Emilia opened her mouth to speak.

She never got the chance.

Adrian leaned forward and kissed her.

It was completely unexpected.

His lips caught hers softly, almost tenderly, while his hand remained around her ankle for another second before he let it go.

Emilia’s eyes widened. She smiled against his lips, and her arms instinctively went around his neck.

Adrian smiled too.

The kiss deepened only enough to linger.

When they finally separated, Emilia remained close, with her arms still loosely around him.

"It’s no big deal," she whispered.

Adrian stared at her.

"Besides..." She brushed her thumb lightly along his jaw. "She’s really sweet."

His eyes softened.

"And she took you in."

Adrian gave a quiet chuckle. "She did."

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. Then he straightened. "I’ll drive you to your mum when you’re ready."

Emilia hummed.

There was something mischievous in the sound.

Adrian looked at her.

She slowly stood. "About that..."

He waited.

"How about we stay under the sheets for the rest of the day..." She stepped closer. "...and I leave tomorrow?"

Adrian’s eyebrows lifted. "That’s your plan?"

"Yes."

She smiled, then she wrapped both arms around his neck. Her fingers slipped into the hair at the back of his head, gently pulling him closer.

Her eyes lingered on his.

There was a playful warmth in them, but something softer underneath. Her lashes lowered slightly as she looked at his mouth, then lifted again to meet his eyes.

She was close enough that Adrian could feel her breath.

"Stay with me," she murmured.

Adrian stared at her for a moment. Then his hands settled around her waist. He pulled her closer until their bodies pressed against each other.

"How about we shower first?"

Emilia smiled.

"I hate hospitals." Adrian’s lips curved into a nasty smile. "Wanna join me?"

Emilia’s expression changed. She bit her lower lip. Her eyes searched his face before drifting slowly down to his lips.

When she looked back up, she smiled.

"Surely."

Adrian laughed softly. "Surely?"

He released her and walked toward the closet.

Emilia watched him.

He opened the doors and reached inside. A moment later, he pulled out two fresh robes.

Emilia phone chimed. Not giving it much thought, she picked up her phone.

Adrian turned around, and stopped. Emilia was still standing where he’d left her. Now, she wasn’t looking at him, but at her phone.

The way Emilia had gone completely still made Adrian’s expression change. The smile disappeared from his face.

"Sweetheart?"

He got no response.

He took a step toward her. "What’s wrong?"

Emilia didn’t move. Her eyes remained fixed on the screen.

Adrian dropped the robes onto the nearby chair. He crossed the room quickly.

"Emilia."

Still, she said nothing.

He stopped in front of her. Her face had lost all its colour.

"What happened?"

Her lips parted, but no words came.

Adrian’s stomach tightened. He reached for her. "Talk to me, baby. What’s wrong?"

Emilia finally looked up. Her eyes were wide, and terrified. She stared at him for a second as though she had forgotten he was there.

Then her fingers loosened around the phone.

She simply held it out to him.

Adrian took it. "What is this?"

She didn’t answer.

Her eyes stared straight ahead.

Adrian looked down at the screen. His eyes moved across it. His expression became completely unreadable.

He didn’t say anything.

He simply tossed the phone onto the bed, then he pulled Emilia into his arms.

She let out a small, broken sob.

Adrian’s arms tightened around her immediately.

"Shhh." He pressed his lips against her hair. "Baby."

Another quiet sob escaped her.

"Don’t cry, sweetheart."

Emilia gripped the back of his shirt. Her fingers curled tightly into the fabric. "I’m scared."

Adrian closed his eyes. His heart clenched at the sound of her sob.

"I’m scared," she repeated, her voice breaking. "That’s bad." She swallowed. "Really bad."

Adrian held her tighter. "I know."

"No, you don’t." Her voice was muffled against his chest. "You don’t know."

Adrian’s hand moved slowly up and down her back.

She trembled against him.

"Just breathe."

Emilia tried.

Her breathing came unevenly.

Adrian lowered his head until his cheek rested against her hair. "I’m here."

She squeezed her eyes shut.

"I’m here, Emilia."

Another tear slipped down her cheek.

Adrian felt it against his shirt. His jaw tightened. He wanted to reach for his phone. He needed to know why those pictures were fully destroyed.

But he didn’t. Right now, Emilia needed him more than he needed answers.

His hand came up to cradle the back of her head. "Look at me."

She didn’t.

"Baby."

Slowly, she lifted her face. Her eyes were already red and puffy.

Adrian looked into her eyes.

He wiped beneath one of them with his thumb. "This wouldn’t affect you. I promise."

Her lips trembled. Emilia stared at him.

"Whatever happened..." He paused. "We’ll deal with it. Your life would be normal."

She shook her head, and looked away. "I want to leave." She pushed him away. "Now."

"Emilia..."

She cut him off. "I need to be in school at exactly nine a.m. It would be good for me if I’m not seen leaving your car."

Adrian stared at her for a moment. He nodded slowly. "Okay." His voice was gentle. "I’ll take you back."

He reached for her coat from the chair, but before handing it to her, he paused. His jaw twisted, and he kicked against saying anything.

He simply walked out of the door with her.