Adrian

Chapter 31: Breaking for Her

(Adrian's POV )

I lost her.

She walked away.

She didn't stop.

She didn't turn around.

She didn't even hesitate.

And for the first time in my life—

I had no idea what to do.

—

I spent the rest of the day on edge.

I couldn't focus.

Couldn't breathe.

Because Amber wasn't mine anymore.

And the worst part?

She had looked me dead in the eyes and said, "You don't deserve me, Adrian."

And for the first time—

I believed her.

—

I skipped my last class.

I couldn't sit there.

Couldn't act like everything was fine.

Because it wasn't.

I had pushed her too far.

I had lost control.

And now?

She was slipping away.

Straight into Damien's hands.

—

I clenched my fists, pacing outside the school.

I had to do something.

I had to fix this.

I couldn't just let her replace me.

I couldn't let her think she could walk away that easily.

—

Then, I saw her.

Amber.

She was walking out the front doors—

With him.

Damien.

Laughing.

Smiling.

And for the first time, it hit me—

She was actually trying to move on.

And I couldn't handle it.

—

I moved before I could stop myself.

Before I could think.

Before I could tell myself that this was a bad idea.

—

I grabbed Damien by the collar and yanked him back.

Hard.

Amber gasped. "Adrian!"

I ignored her.

I wasn't done.

Damien barely flinched.

He just sighed, annoyed.

"Really?" he muttered. "Again?"

I clenched my jaw. "I told you to stay away from her."

Damien smirked. "Yeah? Well, she didn't."

—

I snapped.

I threw a punch, fast and sharp.

This time, Damien saw it coming.

He dodged, shoving me back.

"You're pathetic, Blackwood."

I growled. "Shut up."

"You think this is gonna change anything?"

I lunged at him again.

But suddenly—

Amber was there.

Between us.

—

"STOP!" she screamed.

I froze.

Because she wasn't just mad.

She was furious.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her hands clenched into tight fists.

"Adrian, what the hell is wrong with you?"

I stared at her.

And I realized—

She wasn't fighting me anymore.

She was done.

—

"Amber—"

"Enough!" she snapped. "I am so tired of this!"

My throat tightened.

Because she meant it.

She was really done with me.

And suddenly—

I broke.

—

I didn't even think.

I just grabbed her wrist, pulled her closer, and buried my face in her shoulder.

Holding onto her like she was the only thing keeping me alive.

—

She stiffened.

Because I had never done this before.

I had never let her see me like this.

Never let anyone see me like this.

But I couldn't stop it.

I couldn't hold it in.

I was losing her.

And the thought of that?

Destroyed me.

—

I felt her hands twitch.

Like she didn't know what to do.

Like she wanted to push me away.

But then—

She didn't.

—

Her arms wrapped around me, slow and hesitant.

Her fingers brushed against my back.

And then, softly—

"Adrian."

I broke completely.

—

I clenched my fists, my body trembling.

"I hate this," I whispered.

Amber swallowed. "Hate what?"

I exhaled shakily. "You. Him. Everything."

Her fingers tightened slightly.

"Then stop," she murmured.

I laughed bitterly. "I can't."

—

Silence.

Then—

"Why?"

I pulled back just enough to look at her.

To see the understanding in her eyes.

The anger was still there.

But something else was softening.

And I hated how much I needed it.

I clenched my jaw.

Because I couldn't say it.

I couldn't tell her.

So instead—

I whispered, "Because you're mine."

—

Her breath hitched.

But she didn't pull away.

She didn't push me.

She just sighed.

And then, to my complete shock—

She rested her head against my shoulder.

—

I went completely still.

She wasn't shoving me away.

She wasn't yelling.

She was just there.

Holding me.

Letting me break in her arms.

And I couldn't tell if that made this better or worse.

—

"I hate you," she muttered.

I let out a shaky laugh. "I know."

Her fingers brushed my back. "You can't keep doing this."

I swallowed hard. "I know."

She sighed. "Then stop."

I exhaled slowly, my voice raw.

"I don't know how."

—

She didn't respond.

Didn't say she'd leave.

Didn't say she'd stay.

She just let me hold onto her.

And I clung to her like my life depended on it.

Because maybe, just maybe—

It did.

—