The night was quiet.
Too quiet.
Amara lay curled under her blanket, hugging her pillow, her eyes heavy with sleep. She had tried to stay awake, hoping Adrian might call again… but exhaustion finally pulled her under.
Sometime past midnight, she felt something.
Warmth.
Arms sliding gently around her waist. A slow pull backward. A familiar chest against her back.
Her sleepy mind stirred.
Her breath caught.
She turned slightly, eyes half‑open, vision blurry from sleep.
And she saw him.
Adrian.
Right there. In her bed. Holding her like he never wanted to let go.
Her heart melted instantly.
She shifted closer, snuggling into his chest, her voice soft and sleepy. "Where were you…?" she whispered. "I missed you…"
Adrian tightened his arms around her, pulling her fully into him.
His voice was low, warm, tired. "I missed you too."
Kissed her forehead, "Sleep my love."
She smiled against his shirt, eyes closing again, feeling safe for the first time in days.
And just like that… she fell asleep in his arms.
Morning
Sunlight slipped through her curtains.
Amara blinked awake slowly, stretching her hand across the bed—
Empty.
No one beside her.
Her heart dropped.
She sat up quickly, looking around the room.
No Adrian. No sign he had been there.
She pressed her hand to her chest. "Maybe it was… a dream?"
It felt too real. Too warm. Too him.
But maybe she had imagined it because she missed him too much.
She sighed, got up, and freshened herself before heading downstairs for breakfast.
She sat at the table quietly, trying to shake off the strange feeling in her chest.
Then—
Footsteps.
Two voices.
She looked up.
Adrian and Aiden walked into the dining room.
Her breath stopped.
Her eyes widened.
He was really here.
Not a dream. Not her imagination. Not a memory.
Him.
Adrian's eyes found hers instantly.
And before she could react—
He winked.
A small, teasing, knowing wink.
Her face heated immediately. She looked away quickly, pretending to focus on her plate, trying to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
She didn't want anyone else to notice.
But Adrian did.
And he smirked softly, taking his seat like nothing happened.
But she knew.
He had been there last night. He had held her. He had whispered he missed her.
And now he was home. Last night wasn't a dream.