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His jaw clenched so tight it ached. “It’s not—”

“Stop it!” she shouted, voice shaking. “Adrian Vaughn, you may own the entire damn car industry in this country, but Theo will make it—without your money, without your fucking deals. And I’ll always stand by his side. I’ll start from scratch if I have to. But I’ll never let you ruin him!”

Her words cut deep, each one sinking like a nail into his chest. Adrian’s fists clenched at his sides, his body trembling with restrained emotion.

“The more you try to humiliate him,” she said, her voice low and deadly, “the more I will hate you.”

In two steps, he closed the distance, grabbing her by the wrist and yanking her closer, his other hand curling against her neck—but not squeezing, just holding, trembling. His eyes, wild and burning, locked with hers. “You love him that much?”

Sienna looked him dead in the eyes. “This was never anything more than a dirty little secret between us. You knew that. And now, it’s over.”

She shoved him off, pushing his chest with both hands. Adrian stumbled back, stunned, and she turned around to leave.

“No, Sienna—wait!” Adrian’s voice cracked, raw and desperate, his heart pounding like it would burst. He chased after her, grabbing her from behind and wrapping his arms around her waist. His lips hovered near her ear, voice thick and breathless. “It’s my fault. Please… don’t go. I’ll fix everything. I’ll call off every move against Theo. I won’t touch his business again.”

She ripped herself free, breaking his grip with force.

“It doesn’t matter what you do anymore,” she said, her voice low, cold. “You already crossed the line. This was never about love. It was always about control. The moment I slipped out of your grasp, you made it clear who really has the power in this relationship.”

Adrian stood frozen, pain etched across his face. His chest tightened painfully. He pressed a hand to his abdomen, his face twisting with an unbearable ache.

“Let me hold you… just your hand,” he pleaded, reaching for her fingers.

She jerked away like his touch burned her.

He stared at her, heart breaking. “I never wanted to control you. This is a misunderstanding, Sienna. I wanted you. Istillwant you. From the start, I have loved only you. Everything I have—my life, my happiness—it all belongs to you.”

He reached for her again, desperate to touch her. His body breaking with pain running through his veins. He couldn’t bear the distance between them.

Her stare was cold. She pulled her hand further away, not letting him get close.

“You need to stop pretending,” she said icily. “I know you too well. Five years, Adrian. I’ve seen every side of you, and nothing’s changed.”

He couldn’t take it. Her rejection was like tearing open a wound that never healed. He needed her touch. He was addicted to it. Needing it. Craving it. And now she wouldn’t even let him near her. His chest burned. The pain in his gut grew worse.

“I admit it!” he exploded, voice shaking. “But don’t act like Theo is some saint. He left you for business deals, he’s had relationships all over the city! And yet you still defend him? Why?! He doesn’t love you the way I do! You’re nothing more than a pawn in his perfect life!”

“It’s none of your business to interfere in my relationship with Theo!”

Adrian’s shoulders fell. The exhaustion on his face matched the heaviness in his chest. He stepped closer, his deep voice rough with desperation.

“Give me a chance, Sienna,” he said hoarsely. “I’ll make you fall in love with me again. Just stop thinking about Theo.”

Sienna shook her head slowly, her eyes filled with a mix of frustration and pain. “You’ll only hurt me again.”

“I won’t,” Adrian said, his voice cracking. He lowered his head, swallowing hard. “Not this time. I swear, I’ll never hurt you again.”

Sienna’s expression softened, her voice quieter now. “I’m tired of all this, of you, of this endless back and forth. I don’t want to be tangled in this mess anymore. This relationship was bound to end eventually.”

She walked up to him, closer than before, but still didn’t touch him. Her eyes lingered on his face, unreadable.

“It’s goodbye now,” she whispered. “We’re over.”

She whispered the words like a final breath and turned to leave.

Adrian's chest tightened. “No…” he whispered under his breath, his legs moving before his mind could catch up. But the moment he took a step, a sharp pain tore through his abdomen. His knees buckled, and he hit the ground hard.

The sound of his fall echoed in the room.