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Adrian’s smile dropped, his brows furrowing in confusion. His body moved instinctively toward her, but she stepped back again.

“What’s wrong?” His voice was rough with concern. His chest tightened as he saw the pain in her eyes.

Her voice shook with emotion, “How could you even think of showing me this? How could you?”

He froze.

“Don’t you remember what you did two years ago?” she asked, her voice rising, laced with hurt and anger. “Don’t you remember that New Year’s night when I waited the whole night just to celebrate it with you?”

He stepped forward, but she stepped back, her fists clenched.

Her voice cracked. “I waited the entire night. I told you I had fireworks planned for us. I told you that already, because you never had the patience to wait for surprises. I begged you to come. I messaged you. I called you again and again.”

She could barely get the words out, her voice shaking. The pain she had buried inside for years was sharp, cutting.

“It was snowing so much that night,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I was freezing. Cold. Alone. And when someone finally picked up your phone, it was a woman. And she said, ‘You can tell me what the matter is. He’s busy and doesn’t have time to talk to you right now.’”

She scoffed bitterly, those words still ringing in her ears like knives.

“I cried,” she said hoarsely. “I broke down, standing there in the snow, crying my heart out for you. And even after that, Istillwaited, hoping you’d show up. Because I thought maybe—just maybe—after five years together, I’d mean enough for you that you'd come. Or at least call.”

Adrian’s jaw clenched. He took a step forward, guilt heavy in his eyes, but Sienna didn’t let him speak.

“That was the night I realized you’d never choose me,” she said sharply. “You wouldn’t show up for me. You didn’t love me. And nowthisis the gift you’re giving me? You think I’d be happy with this?”

She shook her head, fury and heartbreak mingling in her voice.

“You should be ashamed of yourself!”

And with that, she turned around and stormed off.

15 Mistakes Of The Past

Adrian rushed in front of her, blocking her path, desperation written all over his face.

“I’ll tell you what happened that night.”

“I don’t want to hear it now!” she snapped, jerking her arm free from his grip. But he caught her again, holding her tighter this time.

“I don’t want to hear it,” she growled, trying to yank her arm free.

But he caught her and pulled her back, tighter this time. “Sienna,please. I’m begging you.”

His voice was raw now, broken and hoarse.

“I didn’t know. I didn’t know where you were that night. I didn’t know it was snowing. I didn’t fucking know!”

“It doesn’t matter now, does it?” she whispered harshly, yanking her arm free as she stormed toward the elevator. “I don’t want to repeat the mistakes of the past, Mr. Vaughn. So for God’s sake, stop reminding me of the stupid things I did for you back then. Because I ended up looking like a pathetic girl, blindly in love with a guy who didn’t give a damn about her.”

She stabbed the elevator button with her thumb. The doors slid open.

But before she could step in, Adrian grabbed her wrist, and pulled her back with force. His tall frame loomed behind her as he wrapped his strong arms around her waist, locking her tightly against his chest.

“Just wait a damn minute,” he murmured, his voice low, rough, almost broken. His head dipped down, burying into the crook of her neck. His breath was hot against her skin as he held her like he was scared she'd vanish. His entire body trembled.

“Sienna,” he whispered her name like it was sacred, turning her around to face him. His eyes, dark and tormented, locked onto hers. “That night... that year… when you called me over and over, I wasn’t ignoring you.”

She stared at him blankly, like she didn’t care for what he had to say.