The Man Who Fell

Elena dropped to her knees beside Adrian's crumpled body. The cold pavement beneath him was stained with streaks of blood, and Ace whined softly, nudging his owner's arm.

Her hands trembled as she reached for his face. "Adrian?" Her voice cracked.

He groaned, his eyes flickering open.

"Don't move," she whispered, pressing her palm against his cheek. "Help is coming."

Her driver had already called for an ambulance. Sirens wailed in the distance, but it felt too slow—like time itself had frozen.

"E-Elena…" Adrian's voice was hoarse. He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain made him flinch.

"Stay still," she ordered, her fingers gripping his shirt.

His lips curled into a weak smirk. "Bossy."

Tears pricked her eyes. Even now, he had the nerve to tease her.

"I thought—" She swallowed hard. "I thought you were gone."

His smirk faded as he gazed at her, something unreadable in his eyes.

The ambulance arrived, and the paramedics moved quickly. Elena watched as they loaded Adrian onto the stretcher, but something gnawed at her.

The dog.

Ace was right here. But she had seen someone take him away.

Had she imagined it?

Or was there more to this than she could understand?

Hours Later – The Hospital

Elena paced outside the emergency room, arms crossed tightly. Ava and Riley had stayed with her for a while, but she had sent them home. Now, she was alone with her thoughts.

When the doctor finally emerged, she rushed to him. "How is he?"

"He's lucky," the doctor said. "No internal bleeding. A few broken ribs, a mild concussion, but he'll recover."

Relief washed over her.

She stepped into his hospital room, her breath hitching at the sight of him. His head was wrapped in bandages, his arm in a sling, and his expression—utterly calm.

"You look like hell," she muttered.

His lips quirked. "You should see the other guy."

She rolled her eyes but sat beside him.

A long silence stretched between them before she finally said it. "I saw someone take Ace tonight."

Adrian's expression didn't change. "That's impossible. He was with me."

Her heart pounded. "I know what I saw."

Adrian studied her, then exhaled slowly. "Elena… just let it go."

Let it go?

That wasn't how she worked.

But before she could push further, the door swung open.

Her parents.

Her mother's sharp gaze locked onto Adrian, while her father's face twisted in disapproval.

"Elena," her mother said coldly, "a man like him will only bring you trouble."

Adrian's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Elena rose to her feet, standing between them. "I'm staying."

Her father's nostrils flared. "You're making a mistake."

Elena didn't care.

She turned back to Adrian, her hand brushing against his. He squeezed her fingers lightly, a silent thank you.

She had no idea how much of a mistake she was really making.

Because the man she loved wasn't just hiding secrets.

He was the secret.