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Eva’s pulse quickened as Adrian’s grip tightened around her wrist, the tension in the air palpable. She looked up at him, trying to mask the unease she felt at his proximity, but there was no avoiding the confrontation now.
“Explain what?” she asked, her voice even, though her mind raced. She had hoped the evening would pass without more complications, but it seemed Adrian had other plans.
He took a step closer, his dark eyes fixed on hers with an intensity that made her uneasy. “Don’t play coy with me, Eva. You went out with Michael tonight, didn’t you?”
The mention of Michael’s name made Eva stiffen, but she quickly regained her composure. “Yes, I did. What about it?”
Adrian’s gaze hardened. “You didn’t think to tell me? You didn’t think I would be concerned?”
Eva bit her lip, her thoughts clouded by frustration. “I didn’t think I needed to report my every move to you, Adrian. It’s not like we’re in some kind of relationship where I owe you explanations.”
His jaw clenched, but he didn’t immediately respond. The silence between them stretched, both of them standing there, locked in a silent battle of wills.
“I’m not asking for reports, Eva,” Adrian said after a pause, his voice low but thick with something Eva couldn’t quite place. “I just want to know where you are. Why didn’t you wait for me tonight? After everything with Vivian, I thought you’d be there.”
Eva’s heart wrenched at his words. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t been concerned about him, but the way he spoke to her, with an almost accusatory tone, made her feel like she was under scrutiny for simply existing outside of his expectations.
“I didn’t stay at the hospital because you didn’t need me there. Vivian had her assistant with her, and I didn’t want to be in the way,” Eva replied, her voice more steady now, though a hint of bitterness crept in.
Adrian’s expression softened a fraction, but his grip on her wrist remained firm. “That’s not what I meant. I just… I don’t want you to feel like you have to go through this alone. If you need someone, I’m here. I don’t want you pushing me away, Eva.”
Her breath hitched at his words. His sincerity was hard to ignore, even though it was tangled with confusion and pain. “I’m not pushing you away, Adrian,” she murmured, glancing away for a moment before meeting his gaze again. “I just don’t want to be caught in the middle of everything. I can’t keep pretending things are okay when they’re not.”
Adrian’s grip finally loosened, and he stepped back slightly, looking at her as though he was trying to read her more carefully. “You don’t have to pretend, Eva,” he said, quieter now, as if the fight had drained from him. “But if you keep pulling away from me, I won’t know how to help you.”
Eva closed her eyes for a brief moment, trying to steady herself. “I don’t need help, Adrian,” she whispered. “I just need time to figure things out.”
The silence between them lingered, thick with unsaid words. Adrian seemed to consider her response for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Alright, I’ll give you time. But don’t shut me out completely.”
Eva nodded, her throat tight. “I won’t. I promise.”
With that, Adrian finally released her wrist and took a step back. He studied her one last time before turning toward the staircase. “Get some rest, Eva. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”
Eva watched him retreat, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. She had never felt more torn in her life. Adrian’s concern for her, though genuine, felt suffocating at times, and Michael’s unexpected presence in her life was a constant reminder of everything she had once wanted but lost.
As she made her way upstairs, she couldn’t help but wonder what would happen next. Would she be able to navigate the tangled emotions between Adrian, Michael, and herself? And more importantly, could she find a way to finally put the pieces of her heart back together?
