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Adrian, standing outside the door, clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. His body tensed with anger.

“Mom, he’s none of our business anymore. Don’t keep bringing him up. It doesn’t matter. I don’t have anything to do with him anymore.”

Pamela’s frown softened, and she nodded, looking at Sienna with a smile. “I’m happy. It’s good that you don’t have anything to do with him anymore. He was a playboy. I didn’t like him.”

Sienna sighed loudly, a heavy weight settling on her shoulders. "Mom, please... we’re done talking about him."

Pamela continued, oblivious to Adrian’s presence. “Your ex wasn’t worthy of you. Remember that time at this very hotel when you asked Adrian to convince Sean Mendoza for a contract? After you went there, Adrian ruined everything and even threw you out of that room?”

“Mom, it’s all over! Please stop talking about my ex!” Sienna insisted, whining a little as she freed herself from Pamela’s grip. “Please, I need to go to the washroom. I’ll come back to the room soon. Go.”

She pushed Pamela’s shoulders, guiding her back into the room.

Pamela huffed and walked away. Sienna closed her eyes, sighing loudly and looking up at the ceiling. It would have been better if her mom didn’t know about her and Adrian. That way, she wouldn’t have to keep hearing about her ex, even if it was to badmouth him.

She turned around and headed toward the washroom. But just as she took a step inside, someone briskly walked past her, grabbing her hand and yanking her into the washroom.

12 Sharing You

The door clicked shut with a soft thud, locking them both in a quiet space, and in that instant, Sienna’s heart began to race.

Startled, Sienna looked up, and her shout was smothered in her throat. “What—?”

"Adrian?!" she hissed, her eyes widening. She quickly scanned the washroom, but it was just the two of them. "What are you doing here? If someone—"

Before she could finish, his strong hands gripped her shoulders, pushing her back until she hit the cold wall. He stood in front of her, tall and broad, his chest rising with every breath as he caged her in completely. One hand pinned her wrist, the other tangled in her hair, pulling her close until there was barely space to breathe.

She gasped, her other hand braced against his solid chest, trying to push him away. “Adrian, stop messing around. My whole family is here!” she whispered urgently, squirming in his grip.

But he didn’t budge. His body was firm, unmoving, and his hold only tightened.

“I didn’t do that to insult you, or your family.” His voice was low, hoarse, his eyes wild—filled with a storm of emotion she wasn’t used to seeing in him.

"What?" she asked, confused by the urgency in his tone.

“That day. With Sean,” he said, his jaw tense. His heart pounded hard enough to shake his frame. The thought that she might still believe the worst of him. That she might walk away again, was too much.

“Back then, when you came to me about the project, a friend warned me about Sean. Said he was the kind of man who preyed on young girls and trapped them. I told you to stay away from him.”

His voice deepened, jaw clenched as his breathing grew heavier. The vein in his neck pulsed.

“But you still went. And when I found out you were in his room, I was nearby for a meeting. Someone told me. I didn’t think. I just went. And when I saw you with him, I lost it. That’s why I threw you out.”

Sienna stared up at him, her breath caught in her throat. She had never seen Adrian like this. He wasn’t the type to explain himself—ever. Too proud. Too cold. Too closed-off.

Back then, she had assumed he'd thrown her out of that room because he didn't want Sean to know that she had any sort of relationship with Adrian. That he was ashamed of her, and he didn't want their relationship to be public.

"You should have told me this back then," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It hurt, Adrian. When you threw me out so ruthlessly."

She tried to pull away, but he yanked her back, his chest pressing against hers, pinning her to the wall.

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into him. His back hit the wall, and her body pressed to his chest.

“Stay,” he pleaded, his voice rough. “Please, Sienna. I’m going to lose my damn mind if I don’t talk to you right now.”

Sienna glanced nervously at the washroom door, worried someone might walk in. Then she turned back to him, nodding. "Alright, but make it quick. We don’t have much time. Someone could walk in any second."

Adrian cupped her face, gently turning her head so she had no choice but to look at him. His thumb ran along her cheekbone. His forehead, always smooth and calm, now had a deep line of tension running through it.