THE DOOR HE NEVER OPENED

Chapter Fourteen – The Door He Never Opened

Night fell over the manor like a veil of mourning.

Adrien hadn't touched the glass of scotch on his desk. For once, he didn't want to blur the pain. He wanted to feel it—every inch of it. As though punishing himself with clarity might balance the weight of everything he'd lost.

Ravenna stood by the door, unsure why she hadn't left when breakfast ended. She'd meant to return to her room. But something in his voice earlier… something broken… had tethered her in place.

She watched him now—shoulders hunched, hand over his mouth, unmoving. The air felt heavy with unspoken things.

He finally spoke.

"She used to sit right there," Adrien murmured, motioning toward the chaise near the window. "That was her spot. She said the light in that corner made the flowers feel seen."

Ravenna didn't reply. There was nothing to say that wouldn't sound too soft or too sharp.

"She deserved better," he continued. "A son who didn't turn out like this. A quiet life. Peace."

"You gave her love," Ravenna said, barely above a whisper.

Adrien let out a sound—not quite a laugh. Not quite a sob.

"She gave me love. I gave her fear. Every time I came home covered in someone else's blood, she looked at me like she didn't recognize me. And maybe… she didn't."

Ravenna stepped forward slowly. "We all carry pieces of who raised us. But it's what you do with them that matters."

He turned to her, eyes darker than she'd ever seen. "You still see something good in me?"

"Yes." She wasn't sure why she replied with a yes, maybe it was the urge to give him comfort or perhaps she just said it without thinking.

A pause.

Then, unexpectedly, he asked, "Why?"

"You let me live. You could've ended me in the alley that night, but you didn't."

"I kept you prisoner."

"You kept me alive," she said. "I don't know why. Maybe you don't either. But I think… deep down, you wanted to be seen."

His throat bobbed. He dropped his gaze.

The silence between them grew dense, almost unbearable.

Then, with more fragility than she thought he was capable of, he asked, "If I gave you the chance to leave… would you?"

Ravenna's heart slammed against her ribs.

She opened her mouth.

Then closed it.

This was her moment. The exit she'd begged for in nightmares, imagined during her lowest hours. He was finally unlocking the door.

But her answer stunned them both.

"…No."

Adrien lifted his head, blinking. "What?"

"I wouldn't leave."

He stared at her like he hadn't heard correctly.

"I don't know why," she added quickly, eyes darting. "But right now, I don't want to."

A silence filled the space that wasn't uncomfortable, but charged.

He stepped closer, his voice raspier now. "You're either the bravest woman I've ever met… or the most foolish."

"Maybe both."

His lips twitched. Not quite a smile—but not nothing.

"Don't make me regret it," he murmured.

"You already don't."

That, for some reason, hit harder than any bullet.

He stepped back, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll have the maids be linient on you''

She almost laughed. Almost.

But instead, she whispered, "Thank you."

He nodded once. It felt like a beginning neither of them had the language for.

And as she turned to leave, Adrien glanced at the unopened scotch again, then left it untouched.

Maybe, for the first time in a long time, he didn't need to be numb.

Not when someone had finally seen him.