The ride back to the estate was quiet.
Not tense.
Just… heavy.
Tia had stopped talking halfway through the drive, her head leaning slightly against the window. The alcohol had taken the sharpness out of her edges.
By the time they reached the mansion, she could barely stand straight.
Adrian stepped out first.
He walked around the car, opened her door, and when she tried to step out on her own—
She stumbled.
His hand caught her waist immediately.
Firm.
Steady.
She looked up at him, eyes unfocused.
"I can walk," she muttered.
"You can attempt to," he replied calmly.
She would've argued if she had the energy.
Instead, she allowed him to guide her inside.
The staff didn't look surprised. They never did.
He didn't take her to her separate room.
He took her to his.
Not out of impulse.
Out of practicality.
His room was closer. Quieter. Easier.
He sat her down on the edge of his bed.
She blinked slowly, trying to focus.
"You're… very serious," she mumbled.
"I've been told."
She tried to remove her heels and nearly tipped sideways again.
He crouched in front of her before she could fall.
Without a word, he removed them himself.
Carefully.
Her fingers drifted into his hair absentmindedly.
Not seductively.
Just… disoriented.
He stilled.
"You shouldn't touch dangerous men so casually," he said softly.
She gave a sleepy half-smile.
"I'm not scared of you."
That again.
That dangerous lack of fear.
He stood, moving to pull back the covers.
When he helped her lie down, she caught his sleeve again.
"Don't go," she murmured.
The words weren't romantic.
They were fragile.
He hesitated.
"I'm here," he said.
Her grip loosened slightly.
Her eyes drifted closed.
And then—
She started talking.
Not loudly.
Not coherently.
Fragments.
"He said I wasn't enough…"
A pause.
"I tried… I really tried…"
Her voice cracked softly.
"I was loyal. I didn't even look at anyone else…"
Adrian's jaw tightened.
He remained seated at the edge of the bed.
Listening.
"I thought if I stayed… he'd choose me…"
Silence.
Then a faint, broken laugh.
"He did choose. Just not me."
Her breathing trembled slightly.
"I won't beg again," she whispered. "I won't shrink again."
Something inside Adrian shifted.
He wasn't a sentimental man.
He wasn't built for softness.
But hearing the steel in her voice wrapped around that pain—
It did something unfamiliar to his chest.
He reached out.
His hand brushed her hair away from her face.
Not possessive.
Not claiming.
Just… careful.
"You don't have to shrink here," he said quietly.
She was already asleep.
But he said it anyway.
He didn't sleep much that night.
Morning came too bright.
Tia's eyes opened slowly.
For a second she didn't recognize the ceiling.
Then memory crashed in.
Club.
Drinks.
Adrian.
She shot up—
And immediately regretted it.
Head pounding.
She pressed her fingers to her temples.
Then she noticed the room.
Not hers.
His.
Her heart skipped.
She looked down.
Still fully dressed, minus her shoes.
Relief.
The bathroom door opened.
Adrian stepped out in a crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled slightly.
Composed.
As always.
"You're awake," he said calmly.
Her throat felt dry.
"What happened?"
"You drank excessively."
"I remember that."
"You attempted independence."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"And?"
"I brought you home."
She studied him carefully.
"Did I… say anything?"
A pause.
"Yes."
Her stomach tightened.
"What did I say?"
He adjusted his cuff.
"That you don't beg."
Her eyes flickered.
"That's all?"
"No."
Silence stretched.
"What else?"
"You said you won't shrink again."
She held his gaze.
Something unreadable passed between them.
"Good," she said softly.
"Yes," he agreed. "Good."
She swung her legs off the bed carefully.
"Sorry if I caused inconvenience."
"You didn't."
She hesitated.
Then—
"I'm going back to the wedding."
That caught his attention.
"It's today," she continued. "The ceremony. I left before it ended."
"And you intend to return?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because walking out looked emotional."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"You care about that?"
"I care about control."
A beat.
"Then I'll come with you."
She blinked.
"That's unnecessary."
"No," he replied evenly. "It isn't."
She studied him for a moment.
"You don't have to."
"I know."
And that ended the argument.
The wedding hall was even more crowded the second time.
When Tia entered—
She wasn't alone.
Adrian walked beside her.
Dark suit.
Immaculate posture.
Presence impossible to ignore.
The whispers this time were louder.
Her ex saw them immediately.
His expression changed instantly.
Confusion.
Disbelief.
Something close to regret.
He walked toward them.
"Tia… I didn't know you were bringing someone."
She smiled faintly.
"I wasn't. He insisted."
Adrian extended his hand.
"Adrian Vale."
Her ex hesitated before shaking it.
Recognition dawned slowly.
"Vale… as in—"
"Yes," Adrian replied calmly.
That was enough.
The bride approached seconds later.
Her eyes flicked between them.
"I didn't realize you were… engaged."
Tia tilted her head slightly.
"We are."
The bride's smile tightened.
"How lovely."
Adrian glanced down at Tia.
"Have you chosen a dress yet?" he asked casually.
Tia blinked.
"For what?"
"Our wedding."
The room stilled slightly.
Her ex's expression faltered.
"Wedding?" he echoed.
Adrian nodded lightly.
"Small ceremony. Select guest list."
His tone was light.
Almost teasing.
But his hand rested possessively at the small of her back.
Not tight.
Not aggressive.
Just present.
Tia caught on quickly.
She smiled.
"I was thinking ivory," she said smoothly. "But maybe something unconventional."
"Black?" Adrian suggested.
Her ex stiffened.
She glanced up at Adrian.
"Too symbolic?"
"Perhaps," he murmured. "But striking."
The bride cleared her throat.
"Well… congratulations."
But her composure was cracking.
Her ex looked at Tia again.
"You moved on quickly."
She held his gaze calmly.
"No," she said softly. "I moved forward."
Adrian's thumb brushed slightly against her back.
Subtle.
But grounding.
The ceremony resumed shortly after.
Tia stood there, watching the vows.
This time—
She didn't feel small.
She didn't feel replaced.
She didn't feel abandoned.
She felt… distant.
Detached.
Free.
When the bride said "I do," Tia felt no sting.
Only clarity.
As they left the venue, Adrian glanced at her.
"You're quiet."
"I'm fine."
He studied her carefully.
"You didn't flinch."
"I didn't need to."
They reached the car.
Before she got in, she looked at him.
"Why did you ask about the dress?"
A faint flicker of something almost playful passed through his eyes.
"It unsettled him."
"And?"
"And I don't like men who think they've won."
She smiled faintly.
"You're competitive."
"I'm precise."
She stepped closer.
"You didn't have to do that."
"I know."
A pause.
"But I wanted to."
That lingered.
Not strategic.
Not calculated.
Wanted.
She felt something soften slightly in her chest.
Dangerous territory.
As the car door closed behind her, she realized something important.
He hadn't come to show power.
He had come to stand beside her.
And that—
Was far more dangerous.