Chapter 142.

They remained on the floor, wrapped around each other as though letting go would somehow return them to the three weeks they had spent apart.

Emilia’s face was pressed against Adrian’s chest.

His arms were still around her.

One hand rested against the back of her head, with his fingers tangled gently in her hair. The other remained around her waist, holding her close enough that she could feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing.

She could hear his heartbeat.

It was fast.

That surprised her.

Adrian always seemed so composed.

But right now, beneath her cheek, his heart was beating like he had run several miles.

Emilia closed her eyes.

For the first time in weeks, she felt safe. Not because everything was suddenly fixed.

It wasn’t. Her scholarship was still being monitored. The university was still watching her.

Adrian had still hurt her.

There were still consequences waiting for them outside this empty house.

But for this moment, none of it mattered.

He was here.

She was here. And they had finally said the things they had been too afraid to say.

Adrian lowered his face slightly.

His lips brushed against her hair. He didn’t say anything.

Neither did she.

They simply stayed there until Emilia’s breathing finally began to settle.

She pulled back slowly.

Adrian’s arms loosened immediately, though he didn’t move away completely.

Emilia wiped beneath her eyes with the heel of her palm. Then she looked at him.

He looked terrible.

Not terrible in the way she would have described anyone else. He still looked unfairly handsome, and still irritatingly composed.

But his eyes were red.

There were faint tear tracks on his face.

His hair was slightly disheveled from her fingers.

And for perhaps the first time since she had known him, Adrian Ashford looked like an ordinary man who had spent the last several minutes crying.

Emilia stared at him, dazed.

The corner of her mouth lifted.

Adrian noticed. His eyes narrowed slightly. "What?"

She shook her head. "Nothing."

His brow rose.

Emilia’s smile grew. "You’re crying."

Adrian’s expression immediately became guarded. "I am not."

She laughed softly. "You are."

"No."

"Adrian."

He raised a brow at her.

Emilia reached up and gently touched beneath one of his eyes. Her thumb brushed away the remaining wetness there.

"You are."

Adrian stared at her.

She smiled between her tears. "I’ve never seen you cry."

He remained silent for a moment. Then his gaze dropped to her hair. "It was the dust from your hair."

Emilia blinked, surprised. "What?"

He looked completely serious. "The dust."

She stared at him. "What dust?"

"From your hair."

For a second, she couldn’t understand what he was saying. Then she burst into laughter when she understood him.

A real laugh.

Not the laugh she’d used to pretend she was fine.

A real one.

She covered her mouth. "You’re blaming my hair?"

Adrian’s expression didn’t change. "When last did you wash it?"

Her mouth fell open. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

She stared at him in disbelief. Then she laughed even harder. "You’re unbelievable."

"You brought dust into my eyes."

"My hair does not have dust!"

Adrian gave her a look.

Emilia narrowed her eyes. "Are you calling me dirty?"

He chuckled. "I am stating a fact."

"What fact?"

"That apparently your hair has become a public health concern."

She slapped his shoulder lightly. "You’re horrible."

His mouth twitched. He smiled.

The laughter slowly faded from her face.

She looked at him.

There it was again. That softness. That tiny shift in his voice whenever he looked at her.

Adrian’s gaze moved over her face.

He reached up.

His thumb brushed beneath her eye, catching a tear she hadn’t noticed. "You laughed." He stated softly.

Emilia swallowed. She thinned her lips. "Yes."

"I missed that."

Her smile became smaller. She looked down, and let out a soft exhale. "I missed you too."

Adrian didn’t respond immediately.

His eyes simply remained on her. Then he leaned forward. His lips touched her forehead.

The kiss was slow, gentle, and almost reverent.

Emilia closed her eyes. For three weeks, she had imagined this. She had imagined him walking toward her.

She had imagined hearing his voice.

She had imagined what it would feel like to have his arms around her again. None of those imaginings had been enough.

The real thing felt different.

Warmer, more painful, and more familiar.

Adrian pulled back just enough to look at her. Then he drew her into his arms again.

Emilia went willingly. His chin rested lightly against the top of her head.

"I’ve missed you so much." His voice was quiet.

She closed her eyes. "I know."

"I feared you might reject me this time."

She looked up at him. "Really?"

Adrian nodded.

"Why?"

His gaze lowered to hers. "Because I hurt you."

Emilia’s smile faded. "You did." She held his gaze. "And you called me naive."

He didn’t look away. "I regret every word that made you believe I didn’t trust you."

Emilia’s throat tightened. "But you did trust me?"

"More than you know."

"Then why did you say those things?"

"Because I thought if they believed you didn’t fully understand the situation, they would be less likely to punish you."

She sighed. "That doesn’t make it right."

"No." He didn’t defend himself.

Emilia appreciated that.

She rested her hand against his chest. A quiet smile appeared on her face.

Adrian looked at her for another moment. Then his hand moved to her cheek. His thumb brushed gently across her skin.

"I’m sorry, Emilia."

"I know."

"I’m still sorry."

Emilia nodded, and rested her head against his shoulder. Adrian’s fingers moved slowly through her hair.

For several minutes, neither spoke.

Outside, the city continued celebrating.

Inside, the world felt suspended.

Emilia eventually lifted her head. She looked at the clock on the wall. Her eyes widened slightly.

"I should go."

Adrian’s expression changed immediately. "So soon?"

She gave him a look. "My mother is going to worry."

He glanced toward the window. "It’s late."

"Exactly."

He sighed.

Emilia smiled. "You don’t want me to leave."

"No."

She laughed softly. "At least you’re honest now."

Adrian looked at her. "I have no reason to lie to you anymore."

She stood carefully.

Adrian stood with her.

He offered his hand. She took it.

Adrian watched her.

"She’ll wonder where I am."

He nodded reluctantly.

Emilia picked up her handbag.

Adrian reached for her coat. This time, she didn’t pull away. He helped her into it. His fingers briefly brushed her shoulders as he adjusted the collar.

The tenderness of the gesture made Emilia’s heart ache.

Three weeks.

She had gone three weeks without this.

Without him standing close, without his hands near her, and without being able to look at him and know exactly what his silence meant.

She looked up. "Thank you."

Adrian’s eyes met hers. "For what?"

"For coming back."

His expression softened. "I never left."

Her eyes stung again. She quickly blinked.

He almost smiled. "I’m sorry for everything."

She shook her head. "You’re terrible at apologizing."

He opened the front door.

Cold air immediately entered the house.

Emilia stepped toward the doorway.

"Emilia."

She turned.

He stood a few feet away.

His hands were in the pockets of his coat.

His face had returned to its usual composed expression, but his eyes remained soft.

"Can I ask you something?"

She smiled. "What?"

He hesitated. It was such a small thing.

He looked almost uncertain. "Can I kiss your hand?"

Emilia stared at him. For a second, she thought she’d heard him incorrectly.

"My hand?"

He nodded. "Yes."

A smile slowly spread across her face.

"Why?"

"Because I want to."

She looked at him, and raised a brow at him. "And you need permission?"

"From you."

Her heart softened.

She slowly extended her hand.

Adrian took it carefully. He lowered his head, and his lips touched the back of her hand. The kiss was brief, gentle, and respectful.

Emilia’s smile widened.

Adrian lifted his eyes to hers.

She stared at him for a second, then she shook her head. She stepped closer.

Adrian’s eyes followed her.

Emilia placed one hand lightly against his chest. She rose onto her toes, and before he could say anything, she kissed him.

Their lips met softly.

For one brief second, Adrian didn’t move. Then his hand found her waist.

He pulled her closer.

The kiss deepened only slightly, still gentle, still careful, but carrying all the things neither of them had been able to say for three weeks.

Emilia’s fingers curled lightly into the front of his coat. Adrian’s other hand came up to her cheek.

He kissed her once more before slowly pulling back. Their foreheads rested against each other.

Neither spoke.

Emilia smiled.

Adrian looked at her.

There was something almost disbelieving in his eyes. His eyes softened.

Emilia’s thumb brushed lightly over his cheek. "You don’t get to decide everything for me, remember?"

A faint smile touched his mouth.

"I remember."

"Good."

She stepped back.

Adrian’s hand remained around her waist for another second before he reluctantly released her.

Emilia turned toward the door, then she stopped. She looked over her shoulder.

Adrian was still watching her.

She smiled. "Goodnight, Adrian."

"Goodnight, sweetheart. "

She stepped outside.

The cold air touched her face.

She walked down the porch steps.

After a few steps, she looked back.

Adrian was still standing in the doorway. He hadn’t moved. He simply watched her.

She smiled again. Then she turned and continued walking.

Adrian remained there until she disappeared around the corner. Only then did he slowly close the door.

The house became quiet again.

But this time, the silence didn’t feel empty.

He looked down at his hand.

The hand that had held hers, and then he touched his mouth. A small smile appeared on his lips.