Chapter 8 - Adrian Told Me He Loved Me—Then Walked Away Because He Refused to Turn My Fear Into a CageI expected Adrian to confess.
Instead, he told me he was leaving.
“Why?”
“Because I love you.”
My heart stopped.
He continued.
“And because of that, I won't decide your life for you.”
I stared.
“You think leaving protects me?”
“I think giving you a choice does.”
He walked away.
For the first time, I realized how deeply I cared for him.
Not because he was powerful.
Not because he protected me.
But because he was willing to walk away rather than control me.
I followed him.
“Adrian.”
He stopped.
“I choose you.”
He turned.
“You don't know what you're choosing.”
“I know enough.”
May you like
Then I kissed him.
For the first time, the most feared man in Chicago looked completely helpless.
Related Stories
Chapter 9 - The Empire Turned Against Adrian—And I Was the One Who Walked Into the War Room to Stand Beside HimSomeone inside Adrian's organization betrayed him.
Chapter 10 - Vincent Kidnapped Me—But He Made One Mistake: He Told Me Why My Mother Had Been Hiding the TruthVincent took me from the hospital parking garage.
Chapter 11 - My Mother Walked Into the Hospital Room Alive—And the First Thing She Said Was an ApologyMy mother was alive.
Chapter 12 - Adrian Destroyed the Criminal Empire His Father Had Built—And Refused to Become the Man Everyone Expected Him to BeAdrian dismantled the criminal side of his empire.
Chapter 13 - Ryan Returned One Last Time—And His Final Gift Proved He Had Finally Let Me GoRyan returned before the wedding.
Chapter 14 - The Mafia King Who Had Once Been Bleeding in My Arms Stood Before Everyone and Promised Never to Make Me Afraid of HimOur wedding day arrived.
