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The second he stepped in, she had shot to her feet, sleep instantly broken.

“Adrian! You’re back. Finally!” Her voice had been breathless, filled with so much joy it almost masked the pain. “It’s our fir—”

“What the hell is all this?” he snapped, voice sharp and cold. His expression twisted in distaste as he looked around the room, eyes narrowing.

She hadn’t even cared about the hour, or the ache in her chest. She just wanted to see him.

“It’s Valentine’s Day... I wanted to surprise you.”

“Get rid of all this bullshit,” he barked. His hand shot up to rub his temple in irritation, barely glancing at her. “I told you, we’re not a fucking couple. What are you doing, Sienna?”

Then he stormed out.

And the second he did, she broke. She collapsed on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably, her heart shattered.

She had spent the entire day back then, carefully planning, preparing. Hoping to make it special.

Now, years later, he was the one doing it for her.

What an irony.

Tears welled at the corners of her eyes, but she held them back. She sniffled, scoffing at herself, and turned away from the screen.

“Sienna?” Theo’s voice came from outside her room, and a second later, he burst in, grabbing her hand. “Let’s go.” He pulled her along immediately.

“Where?” she gasped, startled.

He gave her a tight look, his jaw firm. “Something important. Just come with me.”

***

It was past 3 in the morning.

Adrian sat on the floor beside the bed, legs stretched out, back leaned against the wall. A half-empty bottle of whiskey dangled from his fingers. His eyes flickered to the clock, dull and bloodshot.

He exhaled slowly.

Then suddenly, with a grunt of frustration, he pushed himself up, tossing back the last sip of alcohol before hurling the bottle across the room. It shattered into pieces against the far wall.

His jaw clenched tightly as he staggered to his feet, muscles aching and stiff. He grabbed another bottle from the table and dropped himself onto the floor beside the dinner table he had set up for Sienna. The lights above flickered slightly, casting shadows across his face as he drank again—and again—until sleep dragged him under.

But even sleep didn’t last long.

A sharp clink broke the silence as the bottle slipped from his hand and hit the floor. He blinked, dazed, his body heavy and sore. His head pounding.

His eyes instinctively turned to the bed.

Empty.

He let out a bitter laugh, low and hoarse.

“So this is what it felt like when I didn’t show up for you. When I left you alone,” he muttered, his voice rough with regret. His heart burned, searing in his chest like punishment.

He got up on shaky legs, groaning softly as his head throbbed. He picked up his phone and called Matthew.

“Find out where Sienna was last night,” he ordered. “Tell me where she is right now.”

“Yes, sir,” Matthew replied quickly before the call ended.