The night wind blew gently over the artificial lake, making small waves shimmer beneath the lamplight. Lina and Adrian remained seated side by side, but the silence between them felt heavier than the darkness around them.
Lina stared at the water, trying to hear her own thoughts amid the emotional turmoil. Adrian watched Lina — with the same analytical intensity as always, but with something new in his eyes, something even he didn't seem to fully understand.
"You're very quiet," he said, breaking the silence.
"I'm thinking," she replied, hugging her arms around herself. "A lot has… changed in twenty-four hours."
"I agree." Adrian tilted his head slightly, studying her. "But you're handling it well."
Lina let out a faint laugh.
"I can't even handle my paycheck properly, let alone any of this."
He didn't smile, but his voice softened almost imperceptibly.
"You're handling it better than you think."
She blushed, surprised by the compliment coming from him — even if it was as direct and blunt as everything he said.
And then…
Lina's phone vibrated.
She looked at the screen and felt what little peace she had evaporate.
"It's my mother…" she murmured, hesitant.
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"Answer it."
"She's not… the kindest person," Lina admitted, gripping the phone. "Especially with me."
"Then I'd better hear it," he said simply.
Lina swallowed hard and answered.
"Mom?"
The voice on the other end was immediate, loud, and irritated.
"LINA! Where were you last night? Your sister said you ran out like a lunatic! You know we need you at home! Aren't you ashamed? You disappear all night, don't answer messages, and now you're playing the victim?"
Lina closed her eyes, breathing deeply.
Adrian watched every detail.
"Mom… I just needed some time for myself. I—"
"Time for yourself? You think you have that luxury?" the woman snapped. "Meanwhile your sister was upset! She told me you pushed her!"
Lina's eyes widened.
"What?! Mom, she— she lie—"
"That's enough!" her mother cut in. "I want you home NOW. We have important visitors today. You need to clean the living room and help your sister get ready. Don't make excuses, do you hear me?"
Lina felt her stomach twist. Her mother's words were as sharp as always.
And then… Adrian spoke.
"Tell her you're not going," he said calmly.
Lina almost dropped the phone.
"What?! I can't—"
"Tell her." He repeated, locking eyes with her. "You owe them nothing."
Lina felt her chest tremble.
Never had she heard someone defend her like that.
"Mom…" she said, her voice much weaker than she wished. "I… I'm not coming home now. I have things to solve. Later—"
"You're with a MAN?!" her mother interrupted, horrified. "Are you with some bum?! Is that it?! LINAAA, you—"
Adrian extended his hand, silently demanding the phone.
Lina froze.
"N-no! I can't—!"
His look was firm, non-negotiable.
After a few seconds of trembling hesitation, Lina handed the phone over.
Adrian took the device to his ear, his posture as elegant as it was dangerous.
"This is Adrian Luce."
Silence.
A glacial silence.
"Your daughter is safe," he continued, his voice deep and perfectly controlled, "and from now on, she will not be treated as anyone's servant."
On the other end, the mother began stuttering.
Adrian went on:
"Any problem you have, direct it to me. Not to her."
Lina widened her eyes, breath caught.
No one — no one — had ever defended her like that.
"Lina will not return right now," he concluded. "And when she does, it will be by her own will, not by imposition."
He hung up without waiting for a response.
Lina brought her hands to her mouth, shocked.
"Adrian…" she whispered, a mix of fear and gratitude.
He handed her the phone back.
"They don't have the right to treat you like that."
She blinked several times, tears threatening to fall.
"I… you didn't have to do that…"
"Yes, I did," he corrected, firm. "If you were my wife, I would never allow anyone to speak to you that way."
The word wife hit Lina like an electric shock.
Her chest tightened.
Her heart raced.
And for the first time… she had no immediate answer.
Adrian watched her, unblinking.
"Lina…"
She lifted her gaze.
"I want to hear your decision," he said, calm but with an intensity that almost stole her breath. "Not tomorrow. Not in a week. Now."
The silence stretched between them.
Lina felt her heart pounding so hard it hurt.
She took a deep breath.
And finally…
Opened her mouth to answer.